how to create a twisted cylinder shape with a thick middle section

[ead4385]

Hi basically I want to combine these 2 shapes, I have tried sweeping a cut to the first shape with bad results. Is there a simple way to do this?

[theo.bot · Accepted solution]

You could try it with a loft. use 4 sketches to create the single surface shape. Then use pattern and sculpt to make the solid. I included my sample. 

[ead4385]

thank you very much!! I also tried loft but was unsuccessful.

[ead4385]

I have checked your solution and I really like it, I would never have thought of using 2 planes to connect the arcs. I have learned something new thank you!! 😄

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Folks,

This can also be done using Guide Rail Sweep. Please take a look at the attached part. I think the surface will be smoother using this approach.

Many thanks!

[ead4385]

Beautiful!:D You also managed to do it in fewer steps!

I hope you dont mind if I ask a follow up question 😆

So I shelled the solid, did a split and tried to put lips and grooves on the two bodies

but it doesnt work;

My guess is the shape of the form is angled so it doesnt allow the cut,

how would you go about this problem?

[cadman777]

I never use the Shell command b/c it's got a lot of caveats when trying to use other features with it.

I'm on IV2010, so maybe the Shell command has been improved since then.

Maybe others can say?
If not, then I would do it another way.

Maybe you can delete the top flat face to turn it into a surface.

Then you can use Thicken to make it a solid.

That may enable you to add other features.

Otherwise, you will be building on a feature (Shell) that will cause serious bottlenecks downstream.

And you'll probably have to do everything the hard way (using basic features) from here on out.

[ead4385]

Hi, thanks for your reply! 🙂

That might work,

unfortunately I have worked on this shape for 2 days now

trying to make it a moldable plastic part :')

But no matter how I cut it, the draft angle (1°/24,5)is not compatible with this shape.

Unless I chop it up completely which leads to problems with lips and grooves.

[cadman777]

Bummer!

Do you have a sketch of what you want to accomplish?
If you post it in here, maybe someone can figure something out?

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! Please share your attempt here. I can take a closer look. If the groove still fails, you may simply create a rectangular profile and cut it using Guide Surface Sweep (pick the adjacent face as a guide). The same profile can be reused as a lip.

Many thanks!