best way to add threads for printing purposes?

[DavidTunnard]

Hi,

I need to add actual threads to some parts for 3d printing. Currently, I am using the cool orange thread modeler which works great when you only have a couple of threads to do. However, the current part I am working on has a load of holes with threads. Usually, if I didn't need to model the threads, I would just pattern a threaded hole. Unfortunately, I don't think that the CoolOrange thread modeler works for threaded holes which means that adding modeled threads for all of these features is a right pain.

Anybody got any answers for how to make this process easier?

At the minute my only idea is to import the part into Fusion360 and add the threads there as that has an option to add modeled threads when placing the hole. Would be great if Inventor could have this feature.

[JDMather]

Can you Attach the file here?

I would like to experiment with an idea.

[mcgyvr]

Anytime I have a printed part needing threads I either tap the threads after printing (99% of the time) or sink a threaded insert/helicoil in or modify the design for a captivated nut or similar.

[DavidTunnard]

Hi,

Please see attached.

[DavidTunnard]

Hi,

Yeah, tapping the holes after would be fine if needed. It's just that the printed threads are equally as good plus it is one less job for someone to have to do.

[DavidTunnard]

Hi,

Were you able to have a look at the file? It should be attached above.

Thanks.

[JDMather]

I want to get around to this as I think I have a unique solution that I have not seen posted here before - but I have been too busy with my real work.

My idea is to create a Punch Tool that is a (Parametrically driven) threaded hole.

Then threaded holes can be placed as easily as in Fusion.

[DavidTunnard]

Ah ok, no problem! Cool solution, good luck!

I have placed all the threads that I need in the part now via fusion so no rush!

Thanks

[JDMather]

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@DavidTunnard wrote:

I have placed all the threads that I need in the part now via fusion so no rush!

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Do you need a fully parametric part in Fusion (history tree) or simply a dumb solid.

Just save as STEP and open in Fusion for a dumb solid.

Or the geometry is pretty simple - remodel from scratch in Fusion.

[DavidTunnard]

No, I don't need it to be fully parametric in F360. It's just easier for me to import it into there and the threads rather than doing that step in Inventor.

The only problem with doing this is that if I make a change to the part in Inventor, I will have to import the new model into fusion and add all the threads again. Something which I'm a bit concerned may get forgotten about if someone doesn't know that the threads need to be added to the model before sending to the 3D printer.

[JDMather · Accepted solution]

This is an alternative to the CoolOrange Thread Modeler that can be customized to suite your 3D printing needs.

https://youtu.be/57t7E7lOdvM

[DavidTunnard]

Thanks so much for having a look at this! Cool solution. I will try to get some time to fully watch your video.

I'll let you know how it goes when I do!

Thanks

[JDMather]

Eventually I will do one for External threads, Inch threads and ACME (Trapezoidal) threads.

Might be a bit of work initially, but once it is done - the tool is done, can be used whenever needed.

This exercise was not so much about threads, but a demonstration that Punch features (special iFeatures) can be used in ways that have nothing to do with sheet metal but are very powerful.

[DavidTunnard]

Hi JD,

Just got round to watching the video. A really good way of doing it!

I have no problem following your guide, but if you could attach the part file so that I can turn it into an iFeature, that would save me some time! I am using inventor 2021.

I also discovered that the coolorange thread modeler doesn't work exactly as I expected. It works fine for external threads, but for internals, it will make the id of the thread the tap hole diameter. ie. you want an m10x1.5 it will make the thread id dia. 8.5mm. You have to specify the hole dia. to be 10mm if you want an M10. I guess this would work similarly to your tolerance feature because you can make the hole bigger or smaller/ looser or tighter.

Maybe I was using the add-in wrong, but this very nearly caught me out before I sent the part away! Just wanted to make anybody reading this aware if they're also using the add-in. But I would rather use your solution in the future.

[DavidTunnard]

Sorry, I meant that the CO thread modeler will make the major diameter of the thread the tap diameter.

Meaning that an M10x1.5 would have a minor diameter of ~6.3mm, and a major diameter of 8.5mm (tap diameter).

Hope that clears it up!

[JDMather]

Edit as needed to match your Design Intent... (see Attached).

Edit:  I think I might have found an error to the clearance (to the minor diameter) that I need to track down.

I will post back when I have verified.

[DavidTunnard]

Hi JD,

just found one slight problem with this. You cannot convert to a sheet metal part if you have plastic part features in your part. I had used the boss feature. To get around this I have just modeled the boss manually. Unfortunate that the only reason I'd need to have a realistic thread is for a plastic part!

[JDMather]

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@DavidTunnard wrote:

You cannot convert to a sheet metal part if you have plastic part features in your part. 

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Yikes!  Good catch.  I just tried this and off-hand do not see an easy work-around, other than...

Well I guess you could use as an iFeature rather than as a Sheet Metal Punch, just lose a bit of functionality in ease of placement similar to the Hole Feature that Punch gives you.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Just FYI, there is a way to make ThreadModeler working with Inventor 2021. Here is what needs to be done.

1) Close Inventor.
2) Open c:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\coolOrange_threadModeler.bundle\Contents\coolOrange.ThreadModeler.Inventor.addin.
3) Edit it in Notepad.
4) Find "<SupportedSoftwareVersionLessThan>VALUE..</SupportedSoftwareVersionLessThan>" and replace VALUE with "26"
5) Save the file.

Restart Inventor 2021. The ThreadModeler add-in should be loaded. For future Inventor releases, simply increment "26" accordingly.

Many thanks!

[Gurpreet.Badwall]

@johnsonshiue  Thanks a lot Dear for  making it possible on Inventor 2121 and 2022 versions. Really helpful to get the real threads on the parts.