PartDesign SubtractiveHelix

PartDesign SubtractiveHelix
Menu location
Part Design → Subtractive Features → Subtractive Helix
Workbenches
PartDesign
Default shortcut
None
Introduced in version
0.19
See also
PartDesign AdditiveHelix

Description

The SubtractiveHelix tool modifies a solid by sweeping a selected sketch or 2D object along a helix path cutting away the material.

The profile (B), is swept around axis (A) in order to produce the helical groove (C) in the pre-existing work piece.

Usage

1. Select the sketch to be swept into a helix. A face on the existing solid can alternatively be used.
2. There are several ways to invoke the tool:
   • Press the Subtractive Helix button.
   • Select the Part Design → Subtractive Features → Subtractive Helix option from the menu.
3. Set the Helix Parameters (see next section).
4. Inspect the Helix in the view window, to ensure that the parameters do not result in a self intersecting helix.
5. Press OK.

Options

When creating a SubtractiveHelix, the Helix Parameters dialogue offers several parameters specifying how the sketch should be swept.

Axis

This option specifies the axis about which the sketch is to be swept.

• Normal sketch axis: selects the normal of the sketch that runs through the sketch origin as axis.
• Vertical sketch axis: selects the vertical sketch axis.
• Horizontal sketch axis: selects the horizontal sketch axis.
• Construction line: selects a construction line contained in the sketch used by the Helix. The drop down list will contain an entry for each construction line. The first construction line created in the sketch will be labelled Construction line 1.
• Base (X/Y/Z)-axis: selects the X-, Y- or Z-axis of the Body's Origin;
• Select reference…: allows selection in the 3D View of an edge on the Body, or a datum line.

Mode

This controls what parameters will be used to define the helix. The choices are:

• Pitch-Height-Angle: definition via the height per turn and the overall height
• Pitch-Turns-Angle: definition via the height per turn and the number of turns
• Height-Turns-Angle: definition via the overall height and the number of turns
• Height-Turns-Growth: definition via the overall height, the number of turns and the growth of the helical radius. So a Height of zero leads to a path in form of a spiral. A Height and Growth of zero to leads to a path in form of a circle.

Pitch

The distance between turns in the helix.

Height

The height of the helix (center-center).

Turns

The number of turns in the helix. Define as Height/Pitch

Cone Angle

Angle of the cone that forms a hull around the helix. Allowable range: [-89°, +89°].

Left handed

If checked, the turning direction of helix is reversed from default clockwise to counterclockwise.

Reversed

If checked, the axis direction of helix is reversed from default.

Remove outside of profile

If checked, the result will be the intersection of the swept profile and the preexisting body.

Operation

Sets the boolean operation used to combine the helix with the base solid. introduced in 26.3

• Subtraction (default): the helix removes the swept volume from the base solid, as in previous versions.
• Common: the helix keeps only the volume shared between the swept profile and the base solid, discarding everything else.

Recompute on change

If checked, the helix will be shown in the view, and updated automatically on every change of the parameters.

Properties

• DataPitch: The axial distance between two turns.
• DataHeight: The total length of the helix (not accounting for the extent of the profile)
• DataTurns: The number of turns (does not need to be a whole number)
• DataLeft Handed: See Left Handed.
• DataReversed: See Reversed.
• DataAngle: The rate at which the radius of the helix increase along the axis. Allowable range: [-89°, +89°].
• DataReference axis: The helix axis
• DataMode: The helix input mode (pitch-height, pitch-turns, turns-height)
• DataOutside: If true, the result will be the intersection of the swept profile and the preexisting body.
• DataOperation (Enumeration): sets the boolean operation used to combine the feature with the base solid (Subtraction, Common), see Options. introduced in 26.3
• DataHas Been Edited: If false, the tool will propose an initial value for pitch based on the profile bounding box, so that self intersection is avoided.
• DataRefine: true or false. If set to true, cleans the solid from residual edges left by features. See Part RefineShape for more details.
• DataProfile: Either a sketch containing a closed contour, or a face.
• DataMidplane: Not used.
• DataUp to face: Not used.
• DataAllow multiple face: Not used.

Notes

Note: Remove outside of profile and Operation are independent settings and can be combined. introduced in 26.3

See PartDesign AdditiveHelix.