3d spiral noob-proof

[Menolik]

I'm having a bit of trouble making a 3d sping. It would be nice if someone could tell me step by step how to make one that tapers using 3dspiral.lsp so I can't screw it up. I can't seem to get anywhere with it. It ends up being a huge 2d spiral.

[mugshot]

create first a helix(to be used for for sweeping path) the circle (diameter of your spring) then sweep (click on the helix)

[shift1313]

in acad 2007 if you type HELIX in your command prompt then follow the messages at the bottom you can create your tapered spring. It should ask you for a base location and diameter, height, and final diameter or taper(cant remember) and number of coils, then you can use a circle you draw and type SWEEP, select your circle as the object, and your helix as the path. there will be options for you to align your object to the path, twist, taper etc. just play around with these options.

[Menolik]

Thank you. It worked great. Now how would I make it have flat coils (no pitch) at the top and bottom connected to it.

[Menolik]

http://s448.photobucket.com/albums/qq203/johnsoncej/?action=view&current=spring.gif here is a picture of what I need. It is pretty rough, but I think you'll be able to see what I need to do. I also need to know if I can control the thickness of the "wire" of the spring after it is swept into 3d.

[JD Mather]

I think I would use Autodesk Inventor for something like that. If you are a student you can get it for free from http://engineersrule.org And BTW there is still pitch - just reduced so that the coils are (nearly) touching. The tricky part is the transition between pitches.

[fuccaro]

See here: http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?t=78

Scroll down to the post #23

[Menolik]

Thank you. I'll mess around with those ideas for a bit.