groove along the circumference of a cylinder

[Jasper]

I need to model a round-bottom groove of varying depth in the circumference of a cylinder. The groove or channel is a cam surface and a follower pin rides in the groove as the cylinder rotates about its long axis. The groove goes about 2/3rds the way around the cylinder, and the depth of the groove varies over that path.

What is the best way to create this feature?

Thanks,
PJ

 

[TylerDurden]

Sweep-Cut maybe?

 

[Jasper]

Yes I think that's it. Does it matter that the sweep path sketch is an open loop? GD gave me a warning but then the sweep cut seemed to work...I just wonder if that open sketch will cause other problems.

 

[DavidJ]

GD does an automatic check for open loops because that can often cause an issue. However, for sweep paths an open loop shouldn't be problematic - just ignore the message. The software doesn't know what you'll use the sketch for when you first create it.