Aligning two threaded parts

[Anonymous]

So I am designing to pipes that are supposed to join together. I am printing these from a 3D printer and so far the threads works great, but here's the problem. When I create both pieces and have them both having features on the same plane (Front), I want to make sure that when they are screwed together that both Front planes align when they are tightened. I have the same thread types and lengths for both but it still isn't working. Example. 1.4375 in diameter, the threads are 1 7/16-12 UN, both the inner and outer are 3 class.How can I force the start points of each thread to correctly line up the two parts?

[innovatenate]

Welcome to the Fusion 360 community!

Would you mind sharing a public link of this design or a sample design that is similar? I believe there is more than one way to do what you are trying to do. Seeing what you have so far (screenshots), might influence which direction to go.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

[HughesTooling]

You could make one of the threaded parts as a separate component then rotate it to the correct alignment and use combine to make the finished part. So you'd start with 3 components one a finished body with a thread, one the part you want to screw on but with no thread and the third would be just a thread, combine the last 2 when you have the correct alignment.

Getting this to work in real life is not going to be easy though, there will be some clearance in the thread and this will allow the parts to rotate to far, also the amount of force you use tighten will effect how well they align. You might be better off with a washer between the 2 parts and adjust it's thickness to get the 2 to align.

Mark

[PhilProcarioJr]

You could also make the two threaded pieces as one piece add your threads then cut the single piece into two using the split bodies command, then both threaded parts will line up perfectly when 3D printed. Thats how I do it anyways and it has always worked.

[PhilProcarioJr]

@HughesTooling

"Getting this to work in real life is not going to be easy though, there will be some clearance in the thread and this will allow the parts to rotate to far, also the amount of force you use tighten will effect how well they align. You might be better off with a washer between the 2 parts and adjust it's thickness to get the 2 to align."

If he was machining these this couldn't be more true, but given the fact that he is 3D printing these and given the fact that the print will have little to no clearance it shouldn't be an issue. I have found 3d prints at least when it comes to threads don't usually have this problem as long as you have your 3d printer set up correctly.

Mark is however completely correct if you plan on manufacturing these parts other then 3d printing you will have the exact problem he described.