Thread checking tool- a way to measure thread data

[jswinko]

Is there an Add-In or some other way I can get Inventor to quickly show me what the thread data is for a threaded hole? Currently, I have to edit the feature, to be able to read that the hole is a certain thread size. There should be an option in the measure command that allows this. We have measure, angle, area, loop, but no thread ID.

This should really work for all types of threads: holes and external treads, of course they would have to be modeled in inventor, not imported parts.

This becomes a major waste of time, when you are in upper level assemblies and you are placing fasteners into the assembly. You have to drill down to the part level, or change to feature selection, and edit the individual feature.

Joe

Inventor 2012

[Mike_Maenpaa]

Try the Rename Browser macro at http://www.kwikmcad.com/icode/macros/macros.aspx

Mike

[Dennis_Jeffrey]

IV 2012 does its almost automagically... Set it in Application Options >> Assembly tab.

[jswinko]

These solutions still require drilling down to the part level. A measure tool would work the best.

And since I have everyones attention, the "show dimensions" on a tapped hole should show the thread data, not the tap drill diameter.

Joe

[Dennis_Jeffrey]

How would you use a measure tool? The threads are a cosmetic image. The setting I showed is a manual setting that then applies to all files.

"be able to read that the hole is a certain thread size. There should be an option in the measure command that allows this. We have measure, angle, area, loop, but no thread ID."

[rdyson]

Actually Tuen Han (someone please correct my spelling) wrote an addin a few years ago that did exactly what you want (I think)

You might be able to search and find it. (after someone tells you hoew to spell his name)

It will probably need updating, especially for 64 bit

[IgorMir]

---

   Similar to how the thread ID is called out in the drawing. You click on the face which has some thread associated with it and get the info. Not what you have suggested originally. (To look in the browser instead).

Regards,

Igor.

---

@Dennis_Jeffrey wrote:

How would you use a measure tool? The threads are a cosmetic image. The setting I showed is a manual setting that then applies to all files.

[Dennis_Jeffrey]

Yes, that's another way. I was assuming he wanted the info from the model, not the drawing.

[IgorMir]

No Dennis, it is not another way. The OP is asking for getting the thread info from the model, not in the drawing. And this functionality is not available in Measure tool yet. It is not a major show stopper for me, but just to keep the record straight...

Regards,

Igor.

---

@Dennis_Jeffrey wrote:

Yes, that's another way. I was assuming he wanted the info from the model, not the drawing.

[jalexander]

I agree.  The measure tool should be able to tell you the thread size since the thread size has been defined in the model itself, even though it is only an image.  It would show you the size of the thread from within the model, without drilling down into the browser or changing from "Assembly" browser view to "Model" browser view or both.  When in the the drawing environment, Inventor can find this intormation, why can't the measure tool do the same from within the assembly or part environment?  I'm not sure how difficult it would be to write the code, but I know it can be done: where there's a will, there's a way.

[Loren_J]

Set the selection filter to Feature and double-click on the hole. The Hole dialog opens and shows all the data. Press Esc when you are done.

[SBix26]

So, now that many of us agree that this would be a very useful enhancement to the Measure tool, who is going to add it to the wish lists?

[IgorMir]

What for? Just to top the list up to 10000001 entry?LOL!

Igor.

---

@sbixler wrote:

So, now that many of us agree that this would be a very useful enhancement to the Measure tool, who is going to add it to the wish lists?

[kstate92]

Coming from a 'Made Guy' (well known expert or developer), it might get some attention, but from a handful of users?  We'll see.

It still feels troubling that there is not an official official (hosted by Autodesk) Wish List, but just a few lists hosted on CAD forums here and there.  Out of sight, out of mind strategy, perhaps?

[ollieboy23y]

Has anyone found the addin?

[JelteDeJong]

you could save this as an external iLogic rule. it will show the thread info of tapped holes in assemblys. (If you manage to select a  ThreadFeature then it will do the same.)

Dim msg As String = ""
Dim Feature As PartFeature = ThisApplication.CommandManager.Pick(SelectionFilterEnum.kPartFeatureFilter, "")
If (TypeOf Feature Is ThreadFeature) Then
    Dim threadFeature As ThreadFeature = Feature
    Dim tapInfo As ThreadInfo = threadFeature.ThreadInfo
    msg = msg & "ThreadDesignation: " & tapInfo.ThreadDesignation & Constants.vbCrLf
    msg = msg & "ThreadType: " & tapInfo.ThreadType & Constants.vbCrLf
    msg = msg & "Class: " & tapInfo.Class & Constants.vbCrLf
    msg = msg & "RightHanded: " & tapInfo.RightHanded & Constants.vbCrLf
    msg = msg & "FullTapDepth: " & tapInfo.FullTapDepth & Constants.vbCrLf

ElseIf (TypeOf Feature Is HoleFeature) Then
    Dim hole As HoleFeature = Feature
    If (hole.Tapped) Then
        Dim tapInfo As HoleTapInfo = hole.TapInfo
        msg = msg & "ThreadDesignation: " & tapInfo.ThreadDesignation & Constants.vbCrLf
        msg = msg & "ThreadType: " & tapInfo.ThreadType & Constants.vbCrLf
        msg = msg & "Class: " & tapInfo.Class & Constants.vbCrLf
        msg = msg & "RightHanded: " & tapInfo.RightHanded & Constants.vbCrLf
        msg = msg & "FullTapDepth: " & tapInfo.FullTapDepth & Constants.vbCrLf

    Else
        msg = "Hole is not tapped!"
    End If
Else
    msg = Feature.Name & " isnt a threaded feature."
End If
MsgBox(msg, MsgBoxStyle.OkOnly, "Tap info")

[Ray_Feiler]

FYI, if the feature selected is a patterned tapped hole you get this message.

msg = Feature.Name & " isnt a threaded feature."

[JelteDeJong]

@Ray_Feilertnx for the comments.

i changed the code it now also shows the information about patterns

Sub Main()
	Dim msg As String = ""
	Dim Feature As PartFeature = ThisApplication.CommandManager.Pick(SelectionFilterEnum.kPartFeatureFilter, "")
	If (TypeOf Feature Is ThreadFeature) Then
		Dim threadFeature As ThreadFeature = Feature
		Dim tapInfo As ThreadInfo = threadFeature.ThreadInfo
		msg = msg & "ThreadDesignation: " & tapInfo.ThreadDesignation & Constants.vbCrLf
		msg = msg & "ThreadType: " & tapInfo.ThreadType & Constants.vbCrLf
		msg = msg & "Class: " & tapInfo.Class & Constants.vbCrLf
		msg = msg & "RightHanded: " & tapInfo.RightHanded & Constants.vbCrLf
		msg = msg & "FullTapDepth: " & tapInfo.FullTapDepth & Constants.vbCrLf
	
	ElseIf (TypeOf Feature Is HoleFeature) Then
		Dim hole As HoleFeature = Feature
		If (hole.Tapped) Then
			Dim tapInfo As HoleTapInfo = hole.TapInfo
			msg = getTapInfoString(tapInfo)
	
		Else
			msg = "Hole is not tapped!"
		End If
	ElseIf (TypeOf Feature Is RectangularPatternFeature) Then
		Dim pattern As RectangularPatternFeature = Feature
		msg = "Pattern '" & Feature.Name & "' contains the following holes:" & Constants.vbCrLf & Constants.vbCrLf
		For Each patternFeature As PartFeature In pattern.ParentFeatures
			If (TypeOf patternFeature Is HoleFeature) Then
				Dim hole As HoleFeature = patternFeature
				msg = msg & patternFeature.Name & " is a hole with the following thread: " & Constants.vbCrLf
				If (hole.Tapped) Then
					Dim tapInfo As HoleTapInfo = hole.TapInfo
					msg = msg & getTapInfoString(tapInfo)
				End If
				msg = msg & Constants.vbCrLf
			End If
		Next
	ElseIf (TypeOf Feature Is CircularPatternFeature) Then
        Dim pattern As CircularPatternFeature = Feature
        msg = "Pattern '" & Feature.Name & "' contains the following holes:" & Constants.vbCrLf & Constants.vbCrLf
        For Each patternFeature As PartFeature In pattern.ParentFeatures
            If (TypeOf patternFeature Is HoleFeature) Then
                Dim hole As HoleFeature = patternFeature
                msg = msg & patternFeature.Name & " is a hole with the following thread: " & Constants.vbCrLf
                If (hole.Tapped) Then
                    Dim tapInfo As HoleTapInfo = hole.TapInfo
                    msg = msg & getTapInfoString(tapInfo)
                End If
                msg = msg & Constants.vbCrLf
            End If
        Next
	Else
		msg = "Selected feature isnt a threaded feature"
	End If
	MsgBox(msg, MsgBoxStyle.OkOnly, "Tap info")
End Sub

Function getTapInfoString(tapInfo As HoleTapInfo) As String
    Dim msg As String = "ThreadDesignation: " & tapInfo.ThreadDesignation & Constants.vbCrLf
    msg = msg & "ThreadType: " & tapInfo.ThreadType & Constants.vbCrLf
    msg = msg & "Class: " & tapInfo.Class & Constants.vbCrLf
    msg = msg & "RightHanded: " & tapInfo.RightHanded & Constants.vbCrLf
    msg = msg & "FullTapDepth: " & tapInfo.FullTapDepth & Constants.vbCrLf
    Return msg
End Function

[Ray_Feiler]

Perfect! 😀👍