four part helix?

[Chicago0787]

I am currently working on my senior project creating a roller coaster model. I first need to draw the coaster in solid works and i am having trouble with a part of it. the track is four 6" steel tubes that at one point go vertical while doing a complete 360 twist. I tried using the helix tool however it did not work the way i wanted. If anyone has any ideas that would be great! thank youView attachment 5886 this is what i am trying to do

 

[jimshaw]

Anthony,


Whatexactly did not workout in your geometry? Here is my stab at it...


View attachment 5890View attachment 5891


I havecreated a singlehelical curve, then I swept a 4-circle sketch along that path. I'm sure there's a little more science in creating rollercoasters, but this could be the starting point I believe. Is this what you are trying to do?


Jim
http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawengineering

 

[Chicago0787]

thank you it worked perfect. now i need to get my track support pattern to follow the curve.

 

[jimshaw]

Anthony,


Are you speaking of the trusses which go between the rails? I've tried a "curve-driven pattern", but It's not following the curves correctly. I'm not sure if you can do the support trusses using a single feature, as you need them to rotate and pattern. You can get it to rotate along a trajectory using sweep/guide curves/etc, but then it won't be a pattern.


You can, however, "pattern" points along your curves using the evenly populate option in Insert>reference geometry>point. Just select the curve, and the option will appear. With the points in place, they can be used as the nodesof your support trusses.


View attachment 5892


By the way, I created 4 centerlines in the rails by sweeping a square surface through my helix. The corners of the square created edges, which I converted to 3DSketch entities, and then I deleted the surface body.


Jim
http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawengineering

 

[betasniper]

Have you tried making it with an extrude, making all the
cross members, and then flexing the whole model around an
axis 8ft from the centerline of the extrude?

Edit: It doesn't look as good.
Edited by: betasniper