Modelling grooves in a curved surface

[owheel]

Hi guys,
I'm having a problem with something that seems like a really simple task. I need to add some tracks to a curved surface, and neither me or my friends can work out how to do so. I have attached the photos of what I am trying to model, to help you understand what i am trying to achieve.

Thanks in advance

 

[michaelpaul]

create a surface inside the part at the distance equal to the depth of the cuts. then, create the cuts in two parts, one half at a time.

make a datum plane outside the part and create the feature on that plane making sure the ends of your sketch are coincident with the end of the cylinder. then just extrude the cut up to the surface inside the part. repeat on the other side of the part.

there may be tangent issues at the edge of the part but I don't think so. haven't tried it to verify though.

you could also possibly create a curve and wrap it onto the cylinder and then create a sweep but I think this is more complicated than you need.

like anything, there are probably other ways to do this and I'm sure other users will chime in too.

 

[michaelpaul]

Here's a quick part showing what I was talking about.