Advice about parametric modeling and on

[kaptcatb]

Hello all,

new to forum there. I work as naval architecture in design company. Currently I'm trying to make parametric model of some construction, that I have previously made on other  ( specialized marine ) software. I have worked with inventor for 2-3 months and got some questions, listed below.

Please see attached image : cylinder in center represent offshore crane body. I want to make parametric model ( whith Rules/Form @iLogic ), that would me allow to control everything ( for example you change crane diameter, step dimensions and pitch, platform position,revolutions and etc).

In my first tryout I design crane body,step,railing stays and then with rect.patern+helical curve I copy them. Fine, but using helical curve don't allow to change ( automaticaly ) Z position of end point of curve ( which in my case represent platform level ). So I decide to leave this. I attach two images just for info what model is.

I started new design. Again create crane body,steps. This time I do some search I decide to use equation curve ( 3 dimensional spiral ), but some some reason when I write inputs and use rect. pattern, copied elements goes wrong. Below is my equation :

x(t) : cos(6*rad*t)

y(t) : sin(6*rad*t)

z(t) : t

tmin : 0 ;; tmax : lets say 10000mm ( crane height parameter, which would vary )

I attach my working file.

So I'm kindly looking for advice from more expirienced users what's the easiest way to complete this.

Thanks in advance,

Todor

[JDMather · Accepted solution]

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@kaptcatb wrote:

...but using helical curve don't allow to change ( automaticaly ) Z position of end point of curve

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I never use a 3D sketch for a helix.

Instead I use the Coil command with a line to create a Helical Surface Body.

I can use the edge curve of this helical surface and the Coil Feature parameters make everything trivially easy to control.

Also, have you installed the latest Service Pack and Update for your version of Inventor?

[kaptcatb]

First - thanks for reply ! 🙂

About your proposal I would try It tomorrow in ny work place . I have never used coil feature ( done some tutorials to check this feature ), because there was no reason for it in my scope of work. If got an issues would post them there.

About Inventor - I think my compony bought (standard?) package with some Autodesk products - I have used Mechanical and Inventor, but think they are arround 10 at all. As far as I know they aren't upgraded. Wh asking - is there any helpful feature in new releases/?

Thanks for your help

Todor

[JDMather]

The Service Packs and Updates have absolutely nothing to do with your design problem, but to avoid issues you should of course keep them up to date.  (free)  The iProperties of your file indicate that you are not up-to-date.

Turn on your sound. 

This video is similar to your problem description - but not quite the same.
I think in your case you would simply pattern a WorkPoint for placement of the stair pattern in the assembly.

Pay attention to the Direction 1 setting - most miss this and their curve driven pattern doesn't come out correctly.

[kaptcatb]

Thanks for usefull advice. With coil feature now it works fine - I can adjust coil ends according desired position and then copy patern elements, that I want.