HELICAL SWEEPS (AM5_WILDFIRE3)

Tutorial Lesson 3 Variable Profile and Pitch Spring

** Begin this tutorial by opening up the spring part 2. The part consists of default datum planes and a datum axis **

FILE Menu: #Open, <spring_2.prt>, #Open

** Now that the file is displayed, we will first sketch a line that will represent the revolved surface that you are going to wrap the spring around. Think of this surface as a cylinder. By creating this line, we can get a general idea of the shape that we are looking for. **

INSERT menu: #Helical Sweep, #Protrusion

** The Protrusion dialog box appears. The name Helical Sweep is provided to assure that you are working with the correct feature. **

Menu Manager Menu: : #Variable, #Thru Axis, #Right Handed, #Done [select FRONT datum], #Okay, #Top, [select TOP datum]

** You should be in sketcher now. We will first sketch a line that represents the outline of a cylinder. The sketch is comprised of 6 sketcher entities: 5 lines and 1 centerline. The line determines the silhouette shape of the spring and is all the same length, while the centerline is used for the axis of revolution. **

** Now create a sketch using a 5 lines and a centerline that is similar to the following image. **

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SKETCH Pull Down: #Done or , pitch value at trajectory start [.10], pitch value at trajectory end [.10], #Define, #Add Point, #Pick

** You have just created an hour glass form that determines the shape of the spring. The next part is to create the shape of the wire (the shape that will follow along the helical sweep path). **

** Now select the point numbered 2, Enter: [.20] **

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** You have just created a variable pitch for the spring. We will continue to select more points to change the pitch. The graph is an aid to help you create the variable pitch. **

**Now select the point numbered 3, Enter: [.30] **

** Now select the point numbered 4, Enter [.30] **

** Now select the point numbered 5, Enter [.20] **

** Once complete, your graph should look similar to the following image. **

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MENU MANAGER Menu: #Done/Return, #Done

** Now create a sketch a circle that is similar to the following image. **

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