Posted: 09 September 2008 at 2:30pm | IP Logged

kerklein2 wrote: It's not important to the part, but I wanted to give it a go.  I did a search on here and decided to do it using patterned left and right hand helical cuts.  When I did the first left-hand cut, it didn't give a full helix.  It starts and stops seemingly at random.  Anyone have any insight as to why it doesn't do one continuous cut?

Don't know what's up with your model. Try the this suggested technique by PTC and if you're still having the problem report back.

http://www.ptc.com/cs/cs_24/howto/agf362/agf362.htm

Posted: 09 September 2008 at 2:38pm | IP Logged

Cant really tell you accurately from the image but I would suggest that you check that the axis of the helical cut, whether it is sketched or a datum one is correctly aligned to the axis of the geo.  From the highlighted geo though it looks like it could be something else.  Could you upload the part??  It would be easier to get to the issue if you could.

Paddy

Posted: 09 September 2008 at 2:48pm | IP Logged

kerklein2 wrote: Could you copy that method here?  I don't have access to it.  I could ask around to people here to see if anyone knows how to get it, but a paste here would be simple.

2008-09-09_144437_Creating_Knurling_On_a_Cylindrical_Surface .zip

2008-09-09_144714_knurling.zip

I've attached the finished part as well but had to suppress the two helical features to be able to upload the file. You will have to unsuppress them on your side.

Posted: 09 September 2008 at 2:49pm | IP Logged

kerklein2 wrote: Its working now, but it seemed changing the pitch and/or the number of patterns solved the problem.  Maybe I can still get some insight as to why it failed originally? Note: The file was too large to upload (7.41 MB) if you would like to see it, post your email address and I can see it.  I thought suppressing the feature might make it smaller but it did not.  I could post it as an IGES since that compresses well, but you would lose the knowledge of how it was made.

Suppress the features and backup to your desktop then you should be able to zip it and upload.

Posted: 09 September 2008 at 3:47pm | IP Logged

You won't get a knurling based on the first image. Looking at the face of knurling you'll notice it's sloping 45°. So you need a steep spiral cut that you pattern around the cilinder until the face is fully covered. Then make the reverse spinning cut and pattern that one around also. The second operation takes more time because there is more interference from complex surfaces already there.

I've done this, as well as real thread, when asked to work that way. In reality the only use it serves - apart from generating top-quality renderings - is absolutely zero. Well, not really, it helps fill up memory and disk space. And it keeps your CPU warm ...

Alex

Posted: 09 September 2008 at 4:31pm | IP Logged

kerklein2 wrote: I tried suppressing the features but that didnt seem to change the file size, then I realized my zip file contained the original backup too, so here it is.  AHA-D: It will create a knurl, I had just had to adjust the pitch and number of patterns until it looked right.  I had to start somewhere.  I realize there is no "real" value to it, but as a new PRO/E user, I am trying to challenge myself so that I become more proficient.  All I have to do is suppress the two patterns to speed it back up. 2008-09-09_161452_jack_screw_combicon.prt.zip

Good job, yeah this shold rarely if ever be used in a production environment. But I didn't get that from your orignial post anyway.