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Helix with a non-circular cross-section

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Hi all, I'm working with designing spiral microfluidics channels that radiate outwards, with the Radius Of Curvature changing over time, ideally every 180 degree turn of the channel or maybe with a constant change in ROC. The helix tool is useful if the channel cross-section is a perfect circle, I can make as many turns I want with one geometry command, however if I want a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-sectional channel it seems I'm stuck with using a work plane to draw my cross-section geometry, then revolving that work plane. If I want to do a channel that has multiple passes, I have to do several revolve commands, each starting from the end surface of the previous and increasing the revolution axis to make larger spiral channel.

Is there a way to combine the two features, like use the spiral command with a specific cross-section design? I'm think something like the sweep feature found in Solidworks, which requires a profile and a cross section shape and it just extrudes the shape along the path.

It's not really vital, I mean the revolve method isn't as tedious as what some of my partners and I were doing before I discovered the revolve command (make 2 concentric circles of different sizes, a rectangle that intersects half of their areas, then take a Boolean difference to cut out the parts I don't need. Very tedious). I'm just curious if I can optimize the geometry-making process even further.
Thanks!

2 Replies Last Post 22 févr. 2016, 14:30 UTC−5
Jeff Hiller COMSOL Employee

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Posted: 9 years ago 4 févr. 2016, 08:27 UTC−5
Yes, you can create such a shape easily. The question was addressed for instance in these threads:
www.comsol.com/community/forums/general/thread/76051
www.comsol.com/community/forums/general/thread/100241
Best regards,
Jeff
Yes, you can create such a shape easily. The question was addressed for instance in these threads: http://www.comsol.com/community/forums/general/thread/76051 http://www.comsol.com/community/forums/general/thread/100241 Best regards, Jeff

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Posted: 9 years ago 22 févr. 2016, 14:30 UTC−5
Ah, thank you very much! Apologies for the late response.
Ah, thank you very much! Apologies for the late response.

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