Modelling an axis movement with a rotation

[Anonymous]

I'll try my best to explain this!
I am trying to produce a model of a ring with 3 upstands. They have lead angles on the sides to mate up to an opposite ring so as they turn together they push each other apart. if that makes sense. (insert proper engineering terminology here)
So if the ring is drawn flat on the x/y plane I need to draw/model a movement up on the Z axis along  with a rotation movement of the ring itself.

As you can see I am a beginner and mostly draw simple circles and rectangles!

[g-andresen]

Hi Giles,

according to the motto that a picture says more than a thousand words, show what you want to achieve with an appropriate screenshot or even better with a screencast.

günther