Struggling to understand coil dimensions

Hi All,

Let me begin by saying I am extremely new to inventor. I am trying to create cylindrical cross pieces to connect the two coils in the picture and I can seem to figure out how to get the dimensions right. I hope this explains the problem and if it doesn't I'll try my best to give a better explanation.

Thanks

Attach your *.ipt file here.

Or picture of end result of something similar.

Thanks for responding. I attached the .ipt file. I am trying to make a DNA like structure and I am unsure how to make the connection between the two strands on inventor.

Helix.ipt

This might help, import it into Inventor. (the ipt was too big to upload...)

DNA.dwg

... (the ipt was too big to upload...)

I am not interested in AutoCAD files.

Find the red End of Part marker at the bottom of the feature tree.

Drag the red EOP marker to the top of the feature tree hiding all features in the graphics window.

Save the file with the EOP in this rolled up state.

Right click on the file name and select Send to Compressed (zipped) Folder.

Attach the resulting *.zip file here.

If you had stated your design intent was to model a DNA structure - I would have already posted the solution as it is rather simple to create.

What is the length of your helix?

How many turns?

How far from beginning is the first cylinder?

How many cylinders?

Do you want this as one solid body or as multiple solid bodies?

If you had stated your design intent was to model a DNA structure - I would have already posted the solution as it is rather simple to create.

Yeah I didn't realize that was what the structure looked like until after I posted here sorry.

Length = 12 in

Turns = (I specified pitch instead which was 8 in)

First cylinder = 1 in from the top and bottom

I would prefer 5 cylinders though changing that number depending on look is fine

I would prefer this as 1 solid body but if it is easier to create with multiple that is fine as well

Thanks for the help

Helix Rolled Up.zip

First thing I noticed is that you have not installed Service Pack 1 and 2.

Second thing I notice is that there are no dimensions on your sketch. How can something be created without dimensions?

Third thing I notice is that if I dimension the geometry the two smaller circles are exactly .5, yet for some reason their dimensions were erased.

Why is that?

Forth thing I notice is that the tubes are more flattened than round - I suspect that is not what you really intend. The circular profile will have to be perpendicular to the path to get the correct tubes.

I recommend that you start here

http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?85808-Inventor-101

then I can walk you though a solution to your problem.

Back in a while with Step 1 towards your problem solution.

Yeah a friend installed it for me and I haven't really looked at the updates for it yet. I will make sure that I download those two service packs.

I'm not sure why but its hard for me to work around dimension lines so once I use them to get the dimensions done I take them off which I see now is great cause I know what the dimensions are but I suppose it makes life more difficult for anyone else to understand what it is that I am doing.

I'm going through your tutorials and they are really helping me get a better understanding of this program I really appreciate you putting in the time to do them.

The visibility of dimensions can be turned off (rather than erased).

Note that your geometry sizes (except for the two circles) doesn't make logical sense.

You will have to use dimensions for any work I help you with.

I forgot to ask for the diameter of the cylinders, and are they solid or tube?

If tube, what is wall thickness and how to they intersect with the helix?

If the number of cylinders is odd - they will be lined up.

If the number of cylinders is even - the will be distributed in equal angles.

Everything will be tubing and it will be 1/8 in tubing and I think that the even will look better.