Inventor 2015 threads not functioning

[pwatson88]

When I first started modeling my current part, the thread feature worked fine. I was able to thread one hole then the function died. I select the hole I want to thread, go to the specs tab and see the thread type is 'NPT for PVC and Pipe Fittings'. When I go to change this option to 'ANSI Unified Screw Threads', all pulldown menus go gray and I have to close the thread box IOT to move on.

I've gone into regedit and changed the value from 0 to 1 to no avail. Every time I restart Inventor the value goes back to 0. 

Please help.

Go Hokies!

[JDMather · Accepted solution]

Where to start!

First of all, if you had saved your image file as a *.png it would be significanlty smaller and therefore faster to download.

You should (almost) never be adding Thread features to holes.  (usually when I see this - the wrong size hole is being used)

There is a thread nomenclature WITHIN the Hole feature command that should be used instead.

Can you attach your *.ipt file here for testing?

VT Class '93

Have you installed Service Pack1?

Did you create a Windows Restore point after install?

What are the other 98 problems you are experiencing?

[pwatson88]

Thanks for the help! I'll be using that from now on. All I have to deal with now is deleting the original hole and not having Inventor eat my computer. 

I'm by no means a cad master. I'm just trying to keep up my skills while I'm not in a design job. 

[JDMather]

First thing I notice is that your Sketch 1 is not constrained.

http://home.pct.edu/~jmather/SkillsUSA%20University.pdf
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com/p/inventor-tutorials.html
...

Work Plane 1 is not needed.

Sketch 2 is not constrained.

Circular Pattern1 occurs too early.
Extrusion3 is the wrong size for a 3/8-24 UNF (the fastener will not have any threads to engage, do they still cover tap drill size at VT?).

Flat bottom holes are expensive to make.

Bottom tapped holes are expensive to make.

Sketch4 does not have any dimensions?

Sketch5 is missing dimensions?

There is a sliver hole in your part that I don't think you intend to have.

I recommend that you start over and practice, practice, practice.

[pwatson88]

I guess that's what I get for not touching any CAD since early 2011 and not being good at it then. How does this one look? I started from the beginning, made most of the features on one tab, mirrored then revolved it. 

Yes, VT did still teach tap drill sizes in  2011. I corrected that right after I uploaded it here. 

[JDMather]

Missing a Vertical constraint in your Sketch1.  The sketch should turn dark color and it should say Fully Constrained in lower right corner of screen while in the sketch environment.  Also - there should be a thumbtack glyph on the sketch in the browser.

Sketch2 is missing a concident constraint at the corner - Inventor will add this constraint for you if you click on the corner when creating the rectangle.  (Also missing coincident constraint on other corner of the rectangle to the line.)

Because of problems indicated in Sketch2 - Sketch3 will go "sick" (pink geometry) when Sketch2 is fixed.

Sketch5 is missing 3 dimensions that the machinist or inspector out on the shop floor will need.

What is the purpose of Extrusion5?

Much better than the first attempt.

[pwatson88]

Extrusion 5 was me not knowing how to properly locate the hole without a concentric circle. I thik I figured it out this time. 

I'll keep revising these as long as you want to keep helping me. Even though this project is purely for my pleasure, I really want to do things right. 

[JDMather]

I would have used a Sketch Point to locate that hole.

Next part!

[pwatson88]

Thanks! Now I just have to figure out what to draw.

[JDMather]

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@pwatson88 wrote:

Thanks! Now I just have to figure out what to draw.

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Don't you have an arm (3 instances) and a threaded rod for that?

A lot of good stuff here 

http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com/p/inventor-tutorials.html

I can link a bunch of steam engines when you finish those.

[Baltic.star7]

 Step 1

[Baltic.star7]

1. Right click on the model plane

2. click customize user commands on the drop down list

3. click that button to add it to the custom pannel and then...

4. click Apply followed by OK and you will be able to see it on your tool pallet plane as shown on the following picture