Archimedes' screw unfold

Josh Mings

21 Sep, 2011 04:48 AM

Inventor may be able to do it. You may try to adjust the inner and outer diameter of the guides you're using. Here's how you would do it in SolidWorks.

1. Step 1:

   Create Two Helix using two different size circles. For both, use a constant pitch with 1 revolution starting at 0 degrees.
   

   

2. Step 2:

   Start a 3D Sketch
   

   

3. Step 3:

   Use 'Convert Entities' to create a spline from the helix. Exit the 3D sketch. Repeat Step 2 and 3 for the other Helix.
   

   

4. Step 4:

   Got to Insert, Sheet metal, Lofted bends and then select the two splines (pick near the top point of each spline)
   

   

5. Step 5:

   You now have a Archimedes' screw.
   

   

6. Step 6:

   Simply, choose the Flatten command from the Sheet Metal toolbar and the screw is unfolded.