There are 6 methods for creating Helical features – ie. Springs, Thread cuts, Coils.

Your choice of which method to use depends upon your driving dimension needs.

Refer to the chart below to determine which method would be best for your situation.

Helical Curve Creation Method

Helical Feature

Var. Sect. Sweep (surface/trajpar)

Formed Curve on Cylinder
(ex: antennae)

Curve from Equation

Rotational Blend
Copy Move
Pattern

*Datum point pattern & spline curve
(Cylindrical Csys)

D
R
I
V
I
N
G

P
A
R
A
M
E
T
E
R
S

Helix ht

Driving Dim

Driving Dim

Driving Dim

Driving Val
(in Relation)

Resultant
A Multiple of initial blend height

Driving Dim

Helix Dia

Driving Dim

Driving Dim

Driving Dim

Driving Val
(in Relation)

Driving Dim
And Relations

Driving Dim
Approximation

Start Rot Angle

Driving Dim
sketching plane

Driving Val
(in Relation)

Driving Dim
sketching plane

Driving Val
(in Relation)

Driving Dim
sketching plane

Driving Val
(in Relation)

End Angle

Resultant

Resultant

Resultant

Driving Val
(in Relation)

Resultant
Multiple of initial
blend angle

Resultant

Pitch
(dist. between turns)

Driving Dim

Resultant

Resultant

Resultant

Driving Dim

Driving Val
(in Relation)

Curve Length

Resultant

Resultant

Driving Dim

Resultant

Resultant

Resultant

Notes

Straight Trajectory

Any path in space

Straight Trajectory

Only limited by your math skills

Needs relations
for ‘safe’ modifications

Good for Cable routing

Definitions

Driving Dim     Changed by Modify dim value – ‘can be Shown on a drawing’
Driving Val      Changed by Editing a relation, or modifying a parameter used in an relation
Resultant         Resultant geometry – Calculated or measurable only