Drawing a Segmented Helix with Polygon Cross-Section Using a User Defined Primitive

Ansys provides you with a DLL to define the parameters of a segmented helix with a polygon cross-section. Before you draw a helix, you can specify the coordinate system, and you can set the drawing plane as Z, Y, or Z, or you can edit the plane in the properties.

1. Click Draw > User Defined Primitive > SegmentedHelix > PolygonHelix.

   The Create User Defined Part dialog box appears. The Parameters tab permits you to edit the parameters. An Info tab contains information about the user defined primitive, its purpose, the company/author who created it, the date created and the version number.

2. Specify the values for the following parameters:
   
   

   PolygonSegments	Number of segments in the polygon cross-section. Enter zero (0) for true circle
   PolygonRadius	Radius of the polygon cross-section.
   StartHelixRadius	The radius of a segmented helix is defined from the helix center of rotation to the center of the helix cross-section at segment transitions. The first and last segments of the helix are half segments. See this figure.
   RadiusChange	The radius change per turn of the helix.
   Pitch	Distance between helix turns.
   Turns	The number of turns in the helix.
   SegmentsPerTurn	The number of segments constructing each turn. Enter zero (0) for true curve.
   RightHanded	Helix winding direction. Enter non-zero value for right-handed helix.

   
   
3. Click OK.