Coil profil or wrapping shape

[Solar-emc]

Hello,

The tool "Coil" dose not provide a profile selection. That is the shape the coil wraps around. Coil makes a cylinder. Can you make Coil wrap around any "SKETCH" shape?

Also why doesn't the Coil UI calculate the length of the coil? I.E if that wire was stretched out how log is it? What is it's surface area?

thank for any help.

[innovatenate]

You can use the loft command to generate a coil with a custom profile. Below is an Autodesk Screencast demonstrating the process.

For the length of the coil, have you tried using the Inspect > Measure command to obtain the length of an edge?

I hope this helps.

Thanks,

[Solar-emc]

 Sander Huisman on the Wolfram forum just posted this (see link) to my question about a "Stadium". Well it look like I've got some ciphering to do.

[Solar-emc]

Nathan, thanks for that time with my question.

I knew when I used the word "profile" that people would think the shape of the cable being wrapped. I mean the shape of the wrap. I.E. not a cylinder but a square, oval, slot/stadium or what ever sketch you want. It would be great to do a sketch, and select that with in the "Coil" tool to drive the shape of the helix. Not all coils a round.

Thanks for the tip on the measurement I'll try it out.

[Solar-emc]

Here's a model I worked out but is not as interactive as the "Coil" tool. Very little room for adjustment, and I need adjustment.

[innovatenate]

That coil features sounds pretty neat. I would vote for that if it was up on the Ideastation. 

If you can generate an excel spreadsheet with XYZ coordinate, you can use a sample script to create a 3D spline. There's a thread here, I'll mention in case it helps. 

I've also uploaded (attached) were I got similar results but in a different fashion. I hope it helps. Let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,

[TrippyLighting]

@innovatenate that is a very slick way of doing that. I'd have never thought of creating a loft that way. That'll go right into my tips-&-tricks collection 😉

[Solar-emc]

Nathan,

Thanks for the advice I'll look into the excel method. Funny that's how I started my 3d carrier is by manually scripting 3d geometry, who needs stinking GUI.

I was waiting to hear for a solution before I submitted the idea of a "Selectable sketch to drive the helix shape feature in the Coil tool"

[Solar-emc]

Hi,

Just submitted this for an idea http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/ideastation-request-a-feature-or/select-a-sketch-for-quot-coil-quot-pr...

[Beyondforce]

Hi @Solar-emc

I have created this video few days ago, maybe it can help or inspire your imagination:  How to create your own Thread Profile

I have used the Path and the Guide Rail in purpose, in order to control the twist of the profile!

Cheers / Ben
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did you find this reply helpful ? If so please use the Accept as Solution or Kudos button below.