How to create a spline between two holes on different planes

[Anonymous]

Hi, I would like to know how to connect a spline between to shapes on different planes and then sweep along the spline to create a cable/wire between those shapes. For example, if I have a square shape with a 10 mm hole on the TOP surface and another square shape with a 10 mm hole on the FRONT surface and I want to create 10 mm thick wire between those two holes.

[davebYYPCU · Accepted solution]

Short answer, 

you connect a 2 point Spline to the respective centre points of the holes.  

Create a3d sketch, use Sketch > Project > Include 3d Geometry, Select the two edges of the holes.  The centre points should come with them.  

Make the Spline handles parallel to the cylinders, adjust for sweet curve shape.

(Handles have to be adjusted with the Move Tool.)

Might help....

[Anonymous]

Thanks a lot! It seems that the problem was with projecting because I was able to draw the spline after projecting the two holes...also the "3D Sketch" option had to be selected in the "Sketch Palette" when drawing the spline or it wouldn't work.  I made a sweep using the profile of the first hole and the spline as a path. However, it seems to be hard to fit the sweeped profile with the second hole, even if I'm using the move tool to adjust the curve shape.

[HughesTooling]

If you add a construction line along the axis of the hole, starting at the centre point of the hole. You can add a tangent or curvature constraint between the construction line and the spline, the line and spline need to be joined. If you need more help Export your design as an f3d and attach. Don't use the share links, they're a waste of time.

Mark

[Anonymous]

Thanks, that's a simple solution to the problem. I also created a horizontal construction line to the back of the cube and made a coincident constraint between the center point of that line and the construction line going along the axis of the hole before making a tangent constraint with the spline. Otherwise the construction line would move when making the tangent constraint.