Creating Helical Curves

You can create spiral or helical curves using this feature.

Before you begin: Open a sketch containing a sketch point and an axis.

  1. From the Surfaces section of the action bar, click Helical Curve .
  2. In the Helical Curve dialog box, click Start location and from the work area, select a reference point or vertex or, an origin point.
  3. From the work area, select a sketch line or model edge, or an axis system axis to create a curve around the selected axis.
  4. Optional: Click Guide curve and from the work area, select a linear or curve sketch entity or model edge to define the profile of the helix.
  5. In the dialog box, from the Helix type list, select one of the following:
    OptionDescription
    Height and pitch Specifies Height, Pitch and, Start angle offset values for helical curve.
    Note: The Start angle offset is unavailable when you define Guide curve.

    Click to flip the direction of a height. Alternatively, from the work area, use the left or right handles.

    Use the white circle to adjust the Pitch value.
    Height and Revolutions Specifies Height and Revolutions values for helical curve.

    Click to flip the direction of a height. Alternatively, from the work area, use the left or right handles.

    Use the ring handle to specify the value for Revolutions. You can flip the direction of revolutions.
    Revolutions and pitch Specifies Revolutions and Pitch values for helical curve.

    A Variable pitch check box defines the start and end pitch values.

    Note: The Start angle offset is unavailable for this option.

    Alternatively, from the work area, use the white circle and ring handle to adjust the values for Pitch and Revolutions. You can flip the direction of revolutions.
  6. Under Advanced, specify one of the following values for Direction of a helical curve.
    OptionDescription
    Clockwise Creates the curve in a clockwise direction.
    Counter-clockwise Creates the curve in a counter-clockwise direction
    Tapered Creates the curve tapering toward the end.

    Specify Taper angle for the curve. Click to flip the tapering direction. Alternatively, from the work area, use the ring handle.

    Note: The Taper angle is unavailable when you define Guide curve.