Pattern around a helix

[posix]

Can it be done? And if so how?

I've looked at circular patters and adding a second direction but that doesn't work. And the circular pattern only lets you add an axis around which to revolve rather than a helix.

Sketch pattern is only 2D. Same goes for curve driven pattern, only 2D.

Think of a ball screw and the balls inside the nut. They are a pattern arranged in a helix around the threaded shaft. That's roughly what I'm trying to create.

Anybody?

[posix]

Am I guessing correctly when I say it can't be done in solidworks?

[posix]

I guessed wrong. Create a helix, 3d sketch, convert entities, curve driven pattern, et voila!

[Verfur]

are you refering to like a spring and its coils or somthing with little bits kinda like a DNA strand?

I know you can do the spring in solid works with an drive curve and an object being driven around the curve.

John

[posix]

dna

[Verfur]

welp count me out that sounds like a custom macro to me.

When you finaly get it post it up would be somthing to behold. Have you checked with some of the solid works guys? there has got to be a way.

John