In this tutorial, we will learn how to draw a spiral spring in SolidWorks. A spiral spring is a commonly used mechanical component that can store and release energy. It is widely used in various applications such as automotive suspensions, door locks, and mechanical watches.
Step 1: Create a New Part
First, open SolidWorks and create a new part document. Go to File > New > Part. This will open a blank canvas for you to start designing your spiral spring.
Step 2: Sketch the Base Circle
In order to create a spiral spring, we first need to sketch the base circle. Go to the Sketch tab and select the Circle tool. Click anywhere on the canvas to create a circle.
Tips:
- Hold down the Shift key while sketching to create a perfect circle.
- You can specify the dimensions of the circle by entering values in the “Dimension” box that appears after creating it.
Step 3: Define Parameters for Spiral Spring
To make our spiral spring more flexible and adjustable, we can define certain parameters that control its dimensions. This will allow us to easily modify the spring later on if needed.
To define parameters, go to the “Equations” tab and click on “Add Global Variable”. Enter a name for your parameter (e.g., “spring_radius”) and specify its value. You can also add other parameters like “wire_diameter” or “pitch” depending on your design requirements.
Step 4: Create the Helix
Now, let’s create the helix that will form the spiral shape of our spring. Go to the Features tab and select Helix/Spiral. In the dialog box, set the parameters for your helix such as pitch, height, and number of turns.
Tips:
- You can use your defined parameters in this step by entering their names instead of specific values. For example, enter “spring_radius” for the “Major Diameter” to make it dynamic.
- You can experiment with different values to achieve the desired shape and size for your spiral spring.
Step 5: Sweep a Profile Along the Helix
In this step, we will create a profile sketch that will be swept along the helix to form our spiral spring. Go back to the Sketch tab and draw a profile shape that represents one full coil of your spring. It can be a rectangle, a circle, or any other desired shape.
Select the Sweep tool from the Features tab and choose your profile sketch as well as the helix as the path for sweeping. Click “OK” to generate your spiral spring!
Congratulations!
You have successfully drawn a spiral spring in SolidWorks using simple steps. By adjusting various parameters, you can customize its dimensions and achieve different variations of spiral springs.
This tutorial covered only basic steps to create a simple spiral spring. SolidWorks offers advanced tools and features that allow you to design more complex springs with different shapes, end conditions, and configurations.
Feel free to experiment and explore further!