How to model rectangular coils

[richjmaynard]

How would I model a rectangular coil? This is the closest I've got so far by drawing a round coil and splitting it into four, then extruding the ends to join them.

I'd like the coil to form more evenly, ie the same slope on the straight and curved sections.

https://a360.co/3qVIC38

[barry9UDQ6 · Accepted solution]

[hamid.sh.]

I think if you split your initial coil at proper angle and move resulting bodies upward with correct distance your current approach will make even better results.

Also have you tried 3D sketch to use it as path for sweep (for just one period)?

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

Attached is my version:

[richjmaynard]

Boom!

[mango.freund]

hall @richjmaynard , @TrippyLighting,  @hamid.sh., @barry9UDQ6  well, all colleagues were faster.

greetings mango

[TrippyLighting]

I don't usually use 3D sketches, because fully constraining them can be tricky, but it came in handy this time. 

It would be so nice if the pattern tool would be able to automatically combine the patterned instances!

[richjmaynard]

Thanks everyone! I've built the below model which is going to be 3D printed as a former for the coils on my shiny new induction forge

https://youtu.be/eBb3TemzrdM

[hamid.sh.]

Surely it's too late, but here is another approach without 3D sketch: