Fusion 360 Custom Thread Utility

[MRWakefield]

Every time someone asked for a custom thread (or a standard that isn't included with F360) here in the forum, or I needed one myself, I would think about writing some kind of utility to make the whole process easier, and each time I would mull over whether it would be worth investing the time for such an occasional requirement.

Well, some months ago I bit the bullet and decided I'd finally write something. It's taken a few months on and off and although I really wrote it for my own use I thought I might as well share it. If you like it and feel the need to give something back then you can send me a Ko-Fi tip

It can take an existing Fusion thread file and convert it to CSV (which can be edited in your favourite spreadsheet program) and it will also open a CSV file (of the correct format!) and allow you to generate a new thread file. It has the ability to adjust the Major, Pitch, and Minor diameters by a given amount to compensate for 3D printing (an alternative to adding an offset to the faces of the thread) or for creating in-between sizes (such as a TR21x4 - used on Sodastream CO2 cylinder). I've written a basic 'Rough Guide' that's included with the app but hopefully most of it will be obvious enough.

It also includes a form for manually entering thread data and a calculator for non-standard metric threads. This took a lot of time studying the ISO standard to get the code right for this so was very relieved to get this part working! Maybe one day, when I feel like diving in again I might take a look at adding other thread standards. I have included some sample thread files and their corresponding CSV files that I've either generated myself or collected from elsewhere. I can't guarantee the data is 100% correct so I'd recommend checking any you do use against other sources.

Here's a screenshot of the main application window.

Anyway, I hope some of you find it useful. You can download a ZIP file which includes the application, the rough guide and the sample files here. Hopefully you won't have too many questions.

Edit: I was reminded by @HughesTooling to mention the ThreadKeeper program for syncing custom thread files. I highly recommend it for making life much easier!

EDIT: I'm in the process of porting this over to MacOS as well. The most important functions for creating thread files are there but I need to work on the MacOS specific file system functions to get function parity with the Windows version. You'll find the MacOS version here. Be aware that it hasn't been signed or notarised so you'll get the usual warnings about potential viruses 'n' stuff. If you're worried just run it through a virus scan. Anyway, I hope all you Mac users find it useful. Let me know if you have any issues and I'll try to iron them out.

 

 

[MRWakefield]

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@RufusToad wrote:

OH BROTHER I think you did it. Now I am getting somewhere and it created the file in Fusion. Something major wrong with the thread but I will see if I can fix it and let you know.  Does FLANK ANGLE have any impact on this??

Thank you for your patients!!

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Yes, Flank Angle for Acme is 29°.

EDIT:

Something to bear in mind is that IIRC ThreadKeeper won't notice if your custom thread files have been updated or changed. In this case you'll need to force a sync.

[RufusToad]

Darn you did it. This is a great app. I have several plastic pieces I have to print and they are a **** thread but this baled me out!! Took me a few to understand as I am not a great computer tech but we got it figured out. I did notice that it would not calc the TPI for some reason. I changed it then saved it several times before it worked but it finally did it. Please let me know if you do any kind of upgrades although you prob don't need to. Thanks again for all the help. Hope this "thread" helps others:). 

God bless

[MRWakefield]

In case you don't know: If you are 3D printing threads you'll usually need to adjust the diameters to compensate for the inaccuracies of the process. External threads usually need to be reduced slightly and internal increased. This is often done by offsetting specific faces of the thread (you'll find quite a few threads on the forum discussing this). Alternatively you can utilise the 'Dia. Adjustment' feature of the app. This is especially useful if you have a number of sizes to adjust.

If you'd rather use the 'offset face' method you'll find a post here explaining how to do this correctly.

[MRWakefield]

I've updated the zip file in my first post with a new bugfixed version of the app. I've also updated the BA thread file in the 'Sample Thread files' folder as it contained errors.

[wib002]

Thanks Marcus - much appreciated

[MRWakefield]

No problem, I hope you find it useful.

[wib002]

Marcus - went looking for you app by clicking here, but no luck.  I was unable to find the app.

Your thread files are awesome.  A great help to someone getting into model engineering with nothing but BA, ME and acme.

Best regards,

Louis

[MRWakefield]

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@wib002 wrote:

Marcus - went looking for you app by clicking here, but no luck.  I was unable to find the app.

Your thread files are awesome.  A great help to someone getting into model engineering with nothing but BA, ME and acme.

Best regards,

Louis

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There's a (Google Drive) link to the download in the first post. It's past my bedtime right now so if you don't get any response for the next few hours you'll know why 😉

[wib002]

Thanks Marcus - fantastic utility.  I will use to revise the ME 32 and 40 TPI files I downloaded from the web some time back.  The 32 TPI contained 3 errors and the 40 TPI one several inconsistencies.  I will use the utility to recheck my version and will post.  Best regards, Louis

[HughesTooling]

@wib002 Do you have the ME thread XML with both 32 and 40 tpi or do you have 2 files? I have a single file with both I shared yesterday in this post.

Also @MRWakefield has a thread here for collecting custom thread files.

[MRWakefield]

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@wib002 wrote:

Thanks Marcus - fantastic utility.  I will use to revise the ME 32 and 40 TPI files I downloaded from the web some time back.  The 32 TPI contained 3 errors and the 40 TPI one several inconsistencies.  I will use the utility to recheck my version and will post.  Best regards, Louis

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Thanks @wib002 . @HughesTooling mentioned a combined 40TPI & 32TPI ME thread file that he posted recently. That file had a ThreadForm value of '7' so I changed that to '8' and added it to the thread repository forum thread that he linked to in his last post.

[wib002]

Marcus my earlier ones where 2 files - one for each 32 and 40TPI.

I have now downloaded all of your thread files, which includes the 32/40 ME and Brass - so the jobs been done for me!

Once again many thanks.

Best regards,

Louis

[MRWakefield]

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@wib002 wrote:

Marcus my earlier ones where 2 files - one for each 32 and 40TPI.

I have now downloaded all of your thread files, which includes the 32/40 ME and Brass - so the jobs been done for me!

Once again many thanks.

Best regards,

Louis

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That was actually @HughesTooling that was asking whether it was two files.

Some of the files have been procured from various sources and haven't been checked thoroughly by me so I can't guarantee every size is correct. Just be conscious of that when using any of them! If possible cross-check with another source.

[wib002]

Apologies Mark for screwing up my last reply.  The files I downloaded about 6 months ago (forgotten from where) where 2 separate files.  I have noted your threadform 8 change. 

Best regards,

Louis

[MRWakefield]

Just to let everyone know that I've updated the app as I had an issue highlighted by the most recent Fusion update.

I've been running a more recent version than the public one and I'm not sure exactly what went wrong and whether it was due to some new code that I'd put in (or not). The issue was to do with the deletion of the old Fusion thread folder after automatically copying the custom threads over. I'd recommend not checking the 'Delete Old Fusion Thread Folder' checkbox in case it deletes something it shouldn't. The new version (which you'll find at the same link as previously) has this checkbox removed and the 'delete' code commented out. As always, I'd recommend the ThreadKeeper add-in for auto-syncing anyway.

Apologies for any inconvenience.

[fbagheriXEYRW]

I have an active subscription to Fusion 360 and although I can see the Fasteners folder under Assets Library, the folder appears to be empty!  Whom would I contact for the necessary permission, or should I be looking elsewhere for it?  Also How do I access that in the design workspace?

(I am not part of a team (solo designer))

[MRWakefield]

My Fasteners folder is empty as well and I believe you need to populate this yourself. If you want to insert a standard fastener you can use the 'Insert Fastener' command.

BTW: This thread was created to keep people updated about my thread utility app so you should really have started a new thread regarding your query, as it is not related.

[joge2468]

Hi. I'm on a Mac, so the app won't work for me. Have you created an xml file for ISP threads? I could take a month to to understand and research all of the threading attributes, or I could beg you to create one for 1/8", 1/4", and 3/8" IPS threading.... Consider this begging!

I went ahead and downloaded the app. I now see your NPSM xml file. Awesome! But, I'm unclear about where the accompanying csv file goes... Also, does the Mac version of Fusion share the syncing problem the windows version has? If yes, do you know a workaround?

With much hope,

Johanna

[MRWakefield]

I'm not familiar with ISP or IPS threads, I'll investigate...

Meanwhile:

The CSV file doesn't have to go anywhere, it's just included in case you find it useful, Fusion doesn't need it.

I'm guessing that by the 'syncing problem' you mean the issue that you 'lose' your custom threads when Fusion receives an update? If that's the case you can use the ThreadKeeper add-in to sync your custom threads automatically.

[MRWakefield]

Ok, after a little bit of Googling I've found out that IPS threads are the same as NPSM, so the NPSM should work for you (someone please chime in if they know different).