The Sweep Feature can be used to make springs or screw threads and to add pattern detail to an object. It is one of the procedures that is practically guaranteed to produce error messages - patience is required!
Open a new Design.
Hold down Shift and click W to go onto the Workplane.
Draw a circle of 5mm diameter.
Double click on the circle and change the drawing name to Profile. Click on OK.
Click on Workplane then New Sketch.
Draw a vertical line about 20mm to the left of the circle. Make this line 150mm long.
Double click on the line and change the drawing name to Path. Click on OK.
Click on Feature then Sweep Profile then Along Helix.
Make sure that Profile appears in the profile box and Path in the Axis box. Enter 15 in the Pitch box. Click on OK. You should see a spring appear.
Save your work.
Experiment with different profiles and pitches. Be warned! - some of the pitches you choose might cause the form to intersect itself and so it will not extrude.
Version 8 users: Even easier! You simply draw a circle and a line. Toggle the line to Construction. Follow instructions 8 to 10 without worrying about selecting the correctly named sketch.
Open a new Design.
Draw a rectangle and extrude it to 50mm.
Select Edges and round each upright edge with a radius of 10mm.
Click on Workplane then New Workplane. Type 25 into the Offset box and call the workplane Middle. Click on OK.
Select Lines then hold down Shift and highlight the four original lines that formed the outline of the rectangle. Click on Edit then Copy.
Click on Workplane then New Sketch. Call it Path and make sure it is on the Middle workplane. Click on OK.
Click on Edit then Paste. The rectangle’s outline should appear halfway up the block.
Select Faces and Highlight one end of the rectangle. Click on Workplane then New Sketch. Call the sketch Profile.
Draw an ellipse overlapping the edge of the rectangle.
Click on Feature then Sweep then Along Sketch Path. Make sure that Profile and Path are selected in the correct boxes. Click on OK. A ridge should be drawn around the block.
Round over the top of the box.
Save your work.
© Jim Rowley 2002