Creating a Constant Force Spring

[amerdsp]

Hello all,

Can someone please give me some tips or pointers on how to draw a constant force spring similar to the attached image?

 

Thank you,

 

A

[JD Mather]

Are you looking for the Spiral option in the Coil feature?

[kpyoung333]

I am trying to draw a constant force coil spring in Inventor 2013 where I can have a threaded tube move up and down and the spring will lengthen/shorten accordingly. I cannot figure out how to make the coil, or how it would work to make it coil/uncoil at the correct spiral and forces where the center diameter stays the same. Basically the same idea as a tape measure. Anyone know how to get this started? The coil feature in Inventor 2013 appears to be more for truck shock type than constant force springs.

[JD Mather]

Post screen shot or url to an image similar to your spring. Also - there is a big difference between creating a 3D model and having true forces. For forces you will have to learn Inventor Dynamic Simulation - Input Grapher.

[kpyoung333]

Here is a clip from the project where the force spring is. I drew it as a circle with arc line but this does not move/roll/coil when I create the animation for the threaded vertical tube. I don't have the pro version, so some aspects are limited, and do not need to test the forces, I am just looking to get it to move and stretch with the animation to show the client how it will work. Any help would be appreciated.

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Edited October 4, 2012 by kpyoung333

[JD Mather]

It is not clear from the image if you used Coil to wrap the shaft or simply used a circle.

In any case you will need to create a Parameter that controls the planar portion and the round portion. So as one decreases the other increases by the appropriate amount.

Then in Studio you will Animate Parameter. This is challenging for beginners. If you have trouble figuring it out - it will be necessary to attach the assembly here.