Spring Animation Using FreeCAD and Blender

3D Model

Downloadable Resources (ZIP File)

• Original STEP File: Used for FEM simulation in FreeCAD 1.0
• GLB File: Animated model generated in Blender 3.6

Tutorial video (YouTube)

🎬 Spring Animation Using FreeCAD 1.0 + Blender 3.6

Method Overview

In FreeCAD

1. Import the STEP file
2. Create an Analysis container
3. Assign a material (e.g., Invar-generic)
4. Generate a fine FEM mesh using Netgen internal mesher
5. Set constraints:

   • Fixed boundary condition on one spring end
   • Force load (1 N) on the opposite flat plane
   • Displacement boundary condition on the same flat plane for axial deformation

6. Run CalculiX FEM solver
7. Create a warp vector
8. Export underformed and deformed spring as X3D

In Blender

1. Import both X3D files (File > Import > X3D Extensible 3D)
2. Join geometries as shapes (Data > Shape Keys)
3. Animate using shape keys
4. Export the animated model as GLB (File > Export > glTF)