topic Re: Update threads in an old part to the current design data (thread.xls) in Inventor Programming Forum

Update threads in an old part to the current design data (thread.xls)

mr_ensing — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 11:43:23 GMT

At some point in time we customised thread.xls in the design data. The value we changed is Tap Drill Diameter.

Now and then we run into an older part. Changes to thread size of new features in the old part still use tap drill diameter dimensions according old design data. So, it seems the thread information is stored somewhere in the part file.

Changing the tap drill diameter for the one hole isn't really that hard:

Dim pDoc As PartDocument Set pDoc = ThisApplication.ActiveDocument Debug.Print pDoc.ComponentDefinition.Features.HoleFeatures.item(1).TapInfo.TapDrillDiameter

But I'd like to be able to update these old parts to the new table. Can't for the life of me find where this information is stored.

Re: Update threads in an old part to the current design data (thread.xls)

Michael.Navara — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 14:16:48 GMT

I solved this few years ago, but I forgot how. It was necessary to create new TapInfo and I don't remember I can update an existing hole feature with new TapInfo, or I need to create new one on the same place (geometry and model history). I hope the first approach is true.

All necessary information is stored in existing TapInfo.

Re: Update threads in an old part to the current design data (thread.xls)

mr_ensing — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 11:43:52 GMT

I'm am indeed able to create a new TapInfo object. I create this object using the properties of the existing hole. This works. The object is created, and with the correct tap drill diameter (so thread.xls is involved in this operation).

But I can't assign this new TapInfo object to the existing Hole feature.

Private Sub ThreadFix() Dim pDoc As PartDocument Set pDoc = ThisApplication.ActiveDocument Dim oCompdef As PartComponentDefinition Set oCompdef = pDoc.ComponentDefinition Dim oHole As HoleFeature Set oHole = oCompdef.Features.HoleFeatures.item(1) Dim oTappedHole As HoleTapInfo Set oTappedHole = oHole.TapInfo Dim newTappedHole As HoleTapInfo Set newTappedHole = oCompdef.Features.HoleFeatures.CreateTapInfo( _ RightHanded:=oTappedHole.RightHanded, _ ThreadType:=oTappedHole.ThreadType, _ ThreadDesignation:=oTappedHole.ThreadDesignation, _ Class:=oTappedHole.Class, _ FullTapDepth:=oTappedHole.FullTapDepth) Set oHole.TapInfo = newTappedHole '<~~ Nope End Sub

Re: Update threads in an old part to the current design data (thread.xls)

WCrihfield — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 16:12:41 GMT

Usually when it won't accept the new HoleTapInfo you created, it is because it can't find a single entry (row) in the 'thread.xls' file that matches all specifications in that HoleTapInfo. You mentioned that you have edited the thread.xls file before. Is that file still in the same location and still named exactly the same as how it was installed by Inventor? The location of the 'Design Data' folder is specified in 2 main locations (Project settings, & Application Options - File tab), but I don't recall seeing a separate setting that would allow you to specify a different file to use instead of this one.

Re: Update threads in an old part to the current design data (thread.xls)

mr_ensing — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 11:44:33 GMT

Design data are at a central location. They have been for years. And it works, because all recent parts have the tap diameters we changed in the thread.xls file.

Also:

Sub ThreadFix() Dim pDoc As PartDocument Set pDoc = ThisApplication.ActiveDocument Dim oCompdef As PartComponentDefinition Set oCompdef = pDoc.ComponentDefinition Dim oHole As HoleFeature Set oHole = oCompdef.Features.HoleFeatures.item(1) Dim oTappedHole As HoleTapInfo Set oTappedHole = oHole.TapInfo oTappedHole.TapDrillDiameter = 13.37 '<~~ wrong! Debug.Print "Before: " & oTappedHole.TapDrillDiameter 'Before: 13,37 Dim newTappedHole As HoleTapInfo If oTappedHole.FullTapDepth Then Set newTappedHole = oCompdef.Features.HoleFeatures.CreateTapInfo( _ RightHanded:=oTappedHole.RightHanded, _ ThreadType:=oTappedHole.ThreadType, _ ThreadDesignation:=oTappedHole.ThreadDesignation, _ Class:=oTappedHole.Class, _ FullTapDepth:=oTappedHole.FullTapDepth) Else Set newTappedHole = oCompdef.Features.HoleFeatures.CreateTapInfo( _ RightHanded:=oTappedHole.RightHanded, _ ThreadType:=oTappedHole.ThreadType, _ ThreadDesignation:=oTappedHole.ThreadDesignation, _ Class:=oTappedHole.Class, _ FullTapDepth:=oTappedHole.FullTapDepth, _ ThreadDepth:=oTappedHole.ThreadDepth) End If Debug.Print "'After': " & newTappedHole.TapDrillDiameter ''After': 10,4 Set oHole.TapInfo = newTappedHole '<~~ Nope

The new TapInfo object has the correct tap diameter. I just can't apply it to the existing hole feature.

Re: Update threads in an old part to the current design data (thread.xls)

Michael.Navara — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 08:47:45 GMT

You are on the right way. But you need to set the TheadDepth correctly.

oTappedHole.ThreadDepth returns Parameter object
CreateTapInfo method accepts string or double

Change the line to

ThreadDepth :=oTappedHole.ThreadDepth.Value

Your code works for me.