Getting a helix to sweep around

I am wondering if anyone has ever gotten a snaking kind of path that a
"helix" of sorts would follow. Then say a profile of a circle sent
along that helix to create a sprial that follows that helix which
followed that path.....I know I know, it might be hard to envision so
I will use my artist skills to try and elaborate.

create a floor, say 20'x15', and then extrude it out say 1'. Doesn't
matter really. Now from the top face of the model you sketch a shape
much like a snake never overlapping itself but winding all about,
using the spline tool. Now imagine that you could create a helix that
would sprial around this snaking spline, once again never touching,
but following the spline. Which a profile , of say a circle, could
then be placed at the end of that sprialing helix and swept around it.

Any takers.....lol

T.I.A.


Arthur

 

almost a FAQ ;-)
see http://www.dynabits.com/gallery/index.htm for 2 different approaches:
1) if you can define the curve "mathematically" Excel+"Curve By Free Points"
or MathSurf+MathSketch macros will do it
2) otherwise, sweep the profile along the path then wrap a line around the
surface with our SolidSketch add-in (because SW Wrap feature definitely
can't do it...)

 

Take a look at Mike Wilson's Curve Driven pattern here
http://www.mikejwilson.com/solidworks/solidworks_files-02.htm

Also, this one under Adjustable Curved Helix:
http://www.mikejwilson.com/solidworks/solidworks_files-05.htm

 

I also donated a helical picture frame to Scott Baugh...
http://www.scottjbaugh.com/Design_Portfolio/Examples.htm

Look under "Contributed SW models and Macros".

Mike Wilson