Helix : Options and Results

Required Step 1

1. Depending on the type of helix selected, helix or spiral, the following parameters are displayed.

   Pick the helix start point, set the helix parameters, and define the direction.

   Parameters

   Spring / Spiral	This toggle option enables you to define a helix with height or a flat spiral. ExampleExample Spring Helix with height Spiral Flat spiral
   Base Radius	The radius at the start point of the helix.
   Height / Pitch / Revolutions	For Springs, all three parameters are displayed. For flat Spirals, the Height parameter is not displayed. Height The total height of the helix. Pitch For Springs: The distance from one point on the helix to a corresponding point on the next complete helix turn, measured parallel to the axis of the helix. ExampleExample For Spirals: The radial distance between revolutions of the curve. Revolutions The number of turns. Click here to expand parameter explanation.Click here to expand parameter explanation. For Springs: In this group of parameters, an active parameter (available for editing) is signified by an adjacent green button. A grayed-out parameter (together with its adjacent gray button) is unavailable for editing, as its value is derived from the values of other parameters. In this case, the grayed-out parameter value is derived from the values of the other two parameters in the parameter group. To make a grayed-out parameter active (available for editing), press a green button in the parameter group. The selected button turns gray, its adjacent parameter becomes grayed-out (parameter unavailable), and the previously grayed-out button becomes green (parameter available).
   Clockwise / Counter-Clockwise	This toggle option defines the 'twist' direction of the helix. ExampleExample Clockwise Helix Counter-Clockwise Helix
   Flat Ends - Off / Flat Ends - On	This toggle option defines the ends of the spring – flat or not. If Flat Ends - On is selected, this adds a flat portion to the ends of the spring at a specified angle (up to 360°). To set the angle, an Angle parameter is displayed with a default value of 180°. ExampleExample Flat Ends-OFF Flat Ends-ON: 180° Flat Ends-ON: 180° Flat Ends-ON: 360°
   Straight / Taper	This toggle option defines whether or not the spring is tapered. ExampleExample Straight The radius of the spring is constant from the Base Radius. Taper The radius of the spring is tapered from the Base Radius. Click here to expand parameter explanation.Click here to expand parameter explanation. If Taper is selected, the following parameters are displayed: Angle Angle from the Base Radius. The default = 1. Positive or negative values may be given. Notes: If a negative angle is defined such that the set Height cannot be achieved, a message is displayed and the angle value is adjusted such that the Upper Radius value > 0. If a negative angle is defined and other parameters are changed (Height/Pitch/Revolutions) such that the Upper Radius value would be ≤ 0, a message is displayed and the angle value is adjusted such that the Upper Radius value > 0. Upper Radius The radius of the spring at the end point. In this group of parameters, an active parameter (available for editing) is signified by an adjacent green button. A grayed-out parameter (together with its adjacent gray button) is unavailable for editing, as its value is derived from the values of other parameters. In this case, the grayed-out parameter value is derived from the active value in the parameter group with respect to the Height value. To make a grayed-out parameter active (available for editing), press a green button in the parameter group. The selected button turns gray, its adjacent parameter becomes grayed-out (parameter unavailable), and the previously grayed-out button becomes green (parameter available).
   Constant Pitch / Variable Pitch	This toggle option defines the pitch status at the top of the spring. ExampleExample Constant Pitch Default parameters = Constant Pitch Different parameter settings Constant Pitch The pitch of the spring is constant from bottom to top, as defined by the Pitch parameter. Variable Pitch The pitch of the spring varies from bottom to top, as defined by the parameters below. Click here to expand parameter explanation.Click here to expand parameter explanation. If Variable Pitch is selected, the following parameters are displayed: Ratio The ratio between the bottom pitch value (Pitch parameter) and the Top Pitch value. The default = 1, (Top Pitch = Pitch [bottom pitch]). Positive values only. For example: If Ratio = 1, this basically means constant pitch (Top Pitch = Pitch) If Ratio = 10, this means that the Top Pitch = Pitch x 10 If Ratio = 0.05, this means that the Top Pitch = Pitch x 0.05. Top Pitch The pitch at the top of the spring. In this group of parameters, an active parameter (available for editing) is signified by an adjacent green button. A grayed-out parameter (together with its adjacent gray button) is unavailable for editing, as its value is derived from the values of other parameters. In this case, the grayed-out parameter value is derived from the active value in the parameter group with respect to the Pitch and Revolutions values. To make a grayed-out parameter active (available for editing), press a green button in the parameter group. The selected button turns gray, its adjacent parameter becomes grayed-out (parameter unavailable), and the previously grayed-out button becomes green (parameter available).
   Same Pitch / Different Pitch at Ends	This toggle option defines the pitch status at the ends of the spring. ExampleExample Same Pitch   Default parameters = Same Pitch Different parameter settings This option is only available if the following options are selected: Constant Pitch (Height and Pitch) or (Revolutions and Pitch) Same Pitch The pitch of the spring is constant, as defined by the Pitch parameter. Different Pitch at Ends The pitch at the ends of the spring differ from that defined by the Pitch parameter. Click here to expand parameter explanation.Click here to expand parameter explanation. If Different Pitch at Ends is selected, the following parameters are displayed: Height The height at the ends of the spring within the region where the pitch value (set below in this group of parameters) differs from the 'main' pitch value. This parameter is displayed if the Height and Pitch options are selected. The default = Height: base Height/10. Notes: The above Height value must be smaller than the base Height/2. If the base Height is reduced, then the above Height value is set to the default. Revolutions The number of revolutions at the ends of the spring within the region where the pitch value (set below in this group of parameters) differs from the 'main' pitch value. This parameter is displayed if the Revolutions and Pitch options are selected. The default = Revolution: base Revolution/10. Pitch The pitch at the ends of the spring. The default = Pitch: base Pitch.

Optional Step 1

1. Pick a point to define the helix start angle. The helix start is set by the angle defined by the picked point with the start point selected in step 1.
    

   Example start angle of the helix	Picked point	Picked point

2. Click <exit><exit>(middle mouse button) when finished. Click OKOK or ApplyApply in the Feature Guide to complete the function.

When completed, the Helix feature will appear in the Feature Tree.