topic Re: array part along a Heilix in Inventor Forum

array part along a Heilix

dwendlandKWUPQ — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 15:46:02 GMT

How do I array a part long a helix?

I am trying to draw a set of ferrite beads on a coil of coax cable

I generated the coil using 3D Sketch-> helix, sketched a circular profile to sweep along the helix for the Coax cable.

so far so good.

I set a working point on the outer perimeter of the profile and arrayed the working points.

I opened an assembly, inserted the coil, constrained the bead (using insert) to the end of the coil.

This is the part that didn't work.

In the assembly tab I used pattern component -> feature pattern select. Inventor would not let me select the points for for the feature.

Any thought on how to proceed?

Inventor pro 2022

Cheers,

Dave

Re: array part along a Heilix

admaiora — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 16:04:17 GMT

Can you attach the assy and the part?

Re: array part along a Heilix

dwendlandKWUPQ — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 16:15:30 GMT

Thank you for the reply.

please find attached three files the coil part the washer part (test Item) and the asssembly

Cheers,

Dave

Re: array part along a Heilix

admaiora — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 16:40:02 GMT

Hi Dave,

Do you mean the array like this?

Re: array part along a Heilix

blandb — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 16:45:12 GMT

In the coil, if you change your work point pattern to:

Then you should be able to use the "Feature Pattern Function" in the assy:

Choosing the washer as the component, then in the model browser change from Assembly mode to Modeling mode and choose the rectangular patter you used for the work points:

Re: array part along a Heilix

admaiora — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 16:47:43 GMT

Re: array part along a Heilix

dwendlandKWUPQ — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 17:19:03 GMT

Thank you,

Yes that is what I was trying to do.

on the same note is there a way to offset the first part from the end of the coil? or offset the first work point from the end of the coil?

Re: array part along a Heilix

admaiora — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 17:25:56 GMT

Only the first or all the istances?

Re: array part along a Heilix

admaiora — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 17:28:29 GMT

You can constrain the fisrt where you want than it will follow the array accordingly.

Re: array part along a Heilix

dwendlandKWUPQ — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 17:29:51 GMT

the idea is to start the first part away form the beginning of the coil so All instances shift along the coil by some offset

Does that make sense?

Re: array part along a Heilix

admaiora — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 17:31:32 GMT

Yes!

Re: array part along a Heilix

dwendlandKWUPQ — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 17:35:32 GMT

I saw the reply about constraining the first part. is there an easy way other than manually defining a an offset plane in the coil part and then referencing the working points that plane?

Re: array part along a Heilix

blandb — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 17:49:45 GMT

See if the attached video helps?

Re: array part along a Heilix

dwendlandKWUPQ — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 17:58:07 GMT

That video was helpful!

Thanks you for all the replies!