NPT Thread/Hole Note String on IDW's

[pstollPF4G7]

I have read through several posts and strings in the forums but haven't found an answer to my specific question...

When identifying a thread on an IDW drawing one may use the "Hole/Thread Note" feature and it will pull the information from the spreadsheet (located @ C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Inventor 20xx\Design Data\XLS\en-US) and use that data for the Leader according to the "Note Format" string in the 'Style and Standard Editor'.

My questions are:

What is the "Note Format" string for NPT threads (inside of the 'Style and Standard Editor')?

Is this where NPT thread notes are handled?

I'd like to think that I can change the string formatting in the 'Style and Standard Editor' rather than alter the design data spreadsheet.  The reason being, if I work on a set of drawings for my company and happen to be away on the day they are printed out or 'printed' to PDF, another user, whom opens the drawing set in question and doesn't have the same design data spreadsheet, the string will revert back to the default.  (Admittedly they would also need the same Styles library to make my situation relevant, but let's assume all installs of inventor are the same and all computers have the same style library.)

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! If I understood how it should work correctly, the NPT thread note is driven by Custom Thread Designation on the table. It is more like a format text, unlike the regular Hole/Thread Notes driven by the active Dimension Style.

Many thanks!

[pstollPF4G7]

@johnsonshiue I understand that the value is pulled from the spreadsheet, I am trying to ascertain what Inventor function is calling the string and if I can alter what information is grabbed from the spreadsheet.  If the spreadsheet is where I alter the Note thread (for NPT) then so be it; but I am trying to understand how Inventor pulls the information and through what method.  Is the Note thread driven by the Dimension style under the 'Notes and Leaders', "Note Format" in the 'Style and standard editor' as shown in my provided picture?  If so, which hole and thread type is the note related to (it is not immediately obvious)?

Thank you.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I don't believe the NPT Thread Note is controlled by Dimension style. Like any external thread, NPT thread pulls values from the Thread table directly. You can change the designation on the table.

I know this is a bit confusing, since Hole Notes are controlled by Dimension style.

Many thanks!

[pstollPF4G7]

So the proposed solution is to change the cells on the Data Table with no other action required?

The reason I ask is a colleague of mine has already updated the spreadsheet tab for NPT and the values do not change unless the "Custom Thread Note Designation" box is checked within the Dimension style under the 'Notes and Leaders', "Note Format" in the 'Style and standard editor', lower right in the picture provided, or via the right-click menu after clicking on the note on the drawing.

Also, per the Autodesk online literature, and i quote,

"Use Hole and Thread to add a hole or thread note with a leader line. The default format and content of the note are determined by the settings on the Notes and Leaders tab in the associated dimension style of the hole note."  ( https://help.autodesk.com/view/INVNTOR/2021/ENU/?guid=GUID-162B828C-D6BA-4989-AA61-C9F4516D60D7 )

So when using the 'Hole and Thread' command, it is controlled by the Dimension Style, Notes and Leaders tab.  There is also a section on how to edit the hole notes and what <string> values to call.

I would just like to have a clear and concise answer to this issue from my previous question as I am trying to understand how Inventor pulls the information and through what method; Is the Thread Note driven by the Dimension style under the 'Notes and Leaders', "Note Format" in the 'Style and standard editor' as shown in my provided picture? [Appears to be a 'YES'] If so, which hole and thread type is the note related to (it is not immediately obvious)?

Thank you. 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I have to admit the NPT thread is a bit unique here. Let me work with the project team and understand it better.

But, I do believe the behavior you are seeing is how it works right now.

Many thanks!

[pstollPF4G7]

@johnsonshiue is there any update on this?

[Frederick_Law]

I don't understand your question or problem.

Here is my hole note for taper:

Hole note for straight:

What is your setting?

Those "Yellow Thread" icons link to different column in spreadsheet.

The one with the pencil link to "Custom Designation Value" which is what I use.

As in the value <THDCD>

The spreadsheet table:

[Frederick_Law]

What are you getting in your hole note?

What do you want it to be?

[CGBenner]

@pstollPF4G7 @Frederick_Law @johnsonshiue 

If I may throw in my two cents (and see if I'm even close)...

The Design Data table is where the Hole and Thread note gets its data... The Style in Styles manager is where you determine which portions of that data to retrieve, and how to make them appear on your drawings.

Does that sound about right?

[pstollPF4G7]

@Frederick_Law i want the note to just say '(nominal npt size)" NPT' without the thread designation; we are getting what is shown in your screenshot of the table.  The reason for the question is that in the 'Edit Hole Note' interface, there isn't an option for NPT threads in the 'Note Format' pulldown list (unless it is the 'thru - taper depth thread' per your screen shot).  Also, we are usually identifying male NPT threads on a pipe end for a custom nipple.

It would appear that the threads per inch is, by default, integrated into the callout designation for NPT threads per the 'Design Data table' as you have pointed out; that was what @johnsonshiue had pointed out in one of his replies.

@CGBenner yes, i am aware of the table as noted in the original post.  As noted in this reply above, there isn't a 'Note Format' specifically for NPT threads, so it is hard to get what i want if i don't know what to edit.

Based on all of this and as i stated in my first reply to @johnsonshiue , it would appear that I have to alter the 'Design Data table' (located C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\Inventor 20xx\Design Data\ XLS\en-US\ ) in some way to achieve this and then update the 'Note Format' accordingly (noted in my second reply to @johnsonshiue .  I would prefer to not have to enable the "Custom Thread Designation" just for the NPT threads as it is more clicks for the user to perform and would like a 'set it once and be done' solution.

So the ultimate question, in my 3rd reply to @johnsonshiue was "...which hole and thread type is the note related to (it is not immediately obvious)?" it appears that it may be 'Thru - Taper Depth Thread' per @Frederick_Law 's screen shot but i would like confirmation.  @johnsonshiue 's 3rd reply was that he would check as the NPT threads are "unique"; i was asking for an update on his investigation. 

[CGBenner · Accepted solution]

@pstollPF4G7 

Based on my testing, @johnsonshiue was right when he said above that: "the NPT thread note is driven by Custom Thread Designation on the table".  The same is (I'm sure you already know) true for external threads.  Yes, you would need to modify that column in the table to get your unique designation using the Hole & Thread Note tool.  What I used to do to achieve the same result you are talking about, is just use a simple text note.  It's what the machinists understood most readily.  If I told them I needed 1" NPT Threads... that's all they needed to know to get me the same results every time.  So, if you don't have a shared Design Data table and want to avoid the scenario you mentioned earlier where another user opens the drawing and the thread note updates... my only suggestions are to put the Thread Data file in a shared location, or use a simple text note for the threads.  Then, of course, the challenge becomes enforcing the same standard across all of your users (never an easy task).

But, that's just my thoughts (just trying to be helpful).  You may want to wait to hear from Johnson.

[Frederick_Law]

So change it to use "Thread Designation Value" and add "NPT".

You'll need to save it as a style.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Folks,

@CGBenner explained it well. I don't have much to add.

Many thanks!