<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/EWIOa.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/EWIOa.jpg" alt="Openscad Proof of concept"></a></p>

<pre><code>// Openscad proof of concept
$fn=90;

linear_extrude(height = 50, center = true, convexity = 10, twist = -1000)
translate([10, 0, 0])

difference()
{
    circle(r = 3);
    circle(r = 2);
}
</code></pre>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-04T11:20:56.307Z
Drawing it with OpenScad (and some mathematics) is one thing. But printing it without support is an other big challenge!
ON5MF Jurgen
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-04T16:11:43.613Z
The question did not inquire about that aspect, nor specify no support. With an adequate base/brim, it's probably do-able without further support by choice of helix angle, but that would be printer/settings dependent. Mind you a question of the utility of such a printed tube also crosses my mind, but again, not in the question.
Ecnerwal
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-04T17:13:48.333Z
This is awesome! I'll see if I can download OpenScad, enter that code & turn it into an stl. The printing software I use (XYZware Pro) has the ability to add supports to stl objects I add in there so that might be okay...!
Mr. Meeseeks
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-04T17:25:31.627Z
Probably you'll also need to remove the supports from inside the tube. Good luck with that.
ON5MF Jurgen
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-04T20:34:26.877Z
A picture and a snippet of OpenSCAD code doesn't really make an answer, in my opinion. Why not add textual some explanation of how the code actually works? The question doesn't even focus on OpenSCAD in particular.
Tom van der Zanden
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-06T12:53:18.080Z
Hey, I'll be happy with what I get. The inquiry was for any/all 3D printing software, so includes OpenSCAD. Of course, I'd be happy for a more detailed inspection of what's going on, but I realise you guys are taking time out of your days to answer for free, which I appreciate.
Mr. Meeseeks
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-06T13:02:05.900Z
Although having just downloaded OpenSCAD the coil is a bit squashed so I'm still open to alternatives while I play around with some of the variables in OpenSCAD!
Mr. Meeseeks
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-15T13:55:16.370Z
I would probably set $fn=6, to turn it into a hexagon, then make the gap between coils zero, so that support material would not be needed.
EvilTeach
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-04T01:51:15.310Z
2017-07-04T01:51:15.310Z
EvilTeach
<p>No, this is not a limitation. You should be able to create a coiled tube in almost every 3D design software package. However, how to do this depends on the specific 3D design software in use.</p>

<p>You'd generally do so by creating a cross-sectional profile (i.e. a hollow circle) and then sweeping it along a helical path. Another option is to first create a spring/coil, and then hollow it out (some CAD packages have a tool/command for this, usually called "shell").</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-03T15:57:28.167Z
2017-07-03T15:57:28.167Z
Tom van der Zanden
<p>I managed to do it in the end using AutoDesk 123D.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/izeeR.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/izeeR.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>Did it by making two coils of differing radius, then subtracting the smaller from the larger. I made each coil using the instructions found here:</p>

<p><div class="youtube-embed"><div>
                <iframe width="640px" height="395px" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KfXV0mfy7XY?start=0"></iframe>
            </div></div></p>

<p>So there we go...</p>

<p>Printed it out just now without supports - in the orientation shown - and it came out fine. Used a brim, though (don't want it rolling away!) </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-06T20:01:29.340Z
Same thing works in Fusion 360
markshancock
CC BY-SA 4.0
2017-07-06T18:32:08.590Z
2019-07-18T03:04:45.147Z
2019-07-18T03:04:45.147Z
Mr. Meeseeks
<p>I've gone on quite a few sites (thingiverse, grabcad, etc) in search for a coiled tube, but I have yet to find anything suitable. There are a few coils ("springs") but no coiled tubes (i.e. the springs are hollow). Maybe my searching hasn't been good enough! But I was wondering if this is a limitation to 3D printing models? </p>

<3d-design>
Is it possible in any 3D printing software to create a coiled tube?
Mr. Meeseeks
# Is it possible in any 3D printing software to create a coiled tube?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-07-03)

I've gone on quite a few sites (thingiverse, grabcad, etc) in search for a coiled tube, but I have yet to find anything suitable. There are a few coils ("springs") but no coiled tubes (i.e. the springs are hollow). Maybe my searching hasn't been good enough! But I was wondering if this is a limitation to 3D printing models?

**Tags:** 3d-design


---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2017-07-06. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

I managed to do it in the end using AutoDesk 123D.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/izeeR.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/izeeR.png)

Did it by making two coils of differing radius, then subtracting the smaller from the larger. I made each coil using the instructions found here:

So there we go...

Printed it out just now without supports - in the orientation shown - and it came out fine. Used a brim, though (don't want it rolling away!)

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: Same thing works in Fusion 360  

---

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-07-04. Score: 3

[![Openscad Proof of concept](https://i.sstatic.net/EWIOa.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/EWIOa.jpg)

```
// Openscad proof of concept
$fn=90;

linear_extrude(height = 50, center = true, convexity = 10, twist = -1000)
translate([10, 0, 0])

difference()
{
    circle(r = 3);
    circle(r = 2);
}

```

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Drawing it with OpenScad (and some mathematics) is one thing. But printing it without support is an other big challenge!  
> **username_3**: The question did not inquire about that aspect, nor specify no support. With an adequate base/brim, it's probably do-able without further support by choice of helix angle, but that would be printer/settings dependent. Mind you a question of the utility of such a printed tube also crosses my mind, but again, not in the question.  
> **username_0**: This is awesome! I'll see if I can download OpenScad, enter that code & turn it into an stl. The printing software I use (XYZware Pro) has the ability to add supports to stl objects I add in there so that might be okay...!  
> **username_2**: Probably you'll also need to remove the supports from inside the tube. Good luck with that.  
> **username_4**: A picture and a snippet of OpenSCAD code doesn't really make an answer, in my opinion. Why not add textual some explanation of how the code actually works? The question doesn't even focus on OpenSCAD in particular.  
> **username_0**: Hey, I'll be happy with what I get. The inquiry was for any/all 3D printing software, so includes OpenSCAD. Of course, I'd be happy for a more detailed inspection of what's going on, but I realise you guys are taking time out of your days to answer for free, which I appreciate.  
> **username_0**: Although having just downloaded OpenSCAD the coil is a bit squashed so I'm still open to alternatives while I play around with some of the variables in OpenSCAD!  
> **username_1**: I would probably set $fn=6, to turn it into a hexagon, then make the gap between coils zero, so that support material would not be needed.  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-07-03. Score: 3

No, this is not a limitation. You should be able to create a coiled tube in almost every 3D design software package. However, how to do this depends on the specific 3D design software in use.

You'd generally do so by creating a cross-sectional profile (i.e. a hollow circle) and then sweeping it along a helical path. Another option is to first create a spring/coil, and then hollow it out (some CAD packages have a tool/command for this, usually called "shell").


---

