Threads in 3D

[Alex At Altec]

Hello everyone,

 

I have been woking with AutoCad 2D for some time now and have just converted to 3D. I am in the process of detailing components for a model jet engine. I would like to know how to drawing internal and external threads?

 

Thank you.

[Cad64]

If you search the forum, you will find this question has been asked and answered numerous times.

 

ReMark, or any other FAQ team member, I think this needs to be an FAQ.

[ReMark]

Alex:

 

Forum member J.D. Mather has a tutorial about creating a threaded bolt at his website.

 

Noted author Ellen Finkelstein has one at her website as well.

 

Cad64: I'm open to suggestions. What do you have in mind?

[Cad64]

One of David's video tutorials would be pretty cool, but even just a simple step by step written tutorial with screenshots would suffice. Maybe there should even be two tutorials. One for pre 2007 Autocad and one for 2011?

 

It just seems that this question gets asked so often, it would be good to have a tutorial here on our site, rather than pointing to another site and telling the OP to go over there for the answer.

[ReMark]

Good suggestion(s). Will give it some thought.

[ReMark]

In the meantime, from Cadalyst magazine, June 2002, comes this:

 

http://www.cadalyst.com/cad/autocad/draw-3d-screw-threads-9994

 

Note: AutoCAD 2002 was released in June, 2002. So that makes this tutorial and the lisp routine it references 8 years old.

[JD Mather]

See the tutorials in my signature - if I recall correctly it is #4.

[Alex At Altec]

Hi JD,

 

I have looked at your Cut Threads Tutorial 4. Your first instruction is to open a file named Tutorial 4 Threads.dwg. I have requested this file, (button below your T4 icon), but my system does not operate Outlook. Can this be sent any other way?

 

Kind regards

Alex.

[ReMark]

Alex: Why not create those same objects yourself? It would be great practice.

[JD Mather]

Here is the file, but as suggested - you should refer to your Machinerys' Handbook and create the geometry from scratch.

Tutorial 4 Threads.zip

[Alex At Altec]

Hello ReMArk,

 

I have had ago generating a thread from scratch, but I am missing a stage. I have generated a thread, M8 x 1.0mm. Then I added an extended diameter of 8 by 30 mm long. I then substracted the thread from the cyclinder, but not nothing happened. I expected to see a thread cut into the 8mm cyclinder. Any ideas?

 

Alex

[Alex At Altec]

Hi JD,

Thank you for the file. I will let you know how I get on.

Alex

[ReMark]

Nothing happened? That's odd. Perhaps your helix had a larger diameter than was required.

 

Look at this 2D wireframe image. The helix wraps the cylinder. Both have the same radius. The "cutting edge" (a triangle) is swept along the path of the helix then the solid that is created is subtracted from the cylinder

 

 

This is the result of that subtraction.

 

[JD Mather]

..... but not nothing happened. ....

 

And you didn't attach your file here so that someone could tell you what went wrong.

I showed you mine, you show me yours.

[Alex At Altec]

Hi JD,

 

How do I attach a dwg file?

 

Regards

Alex

[ReMark]

You can attach several different types of files here at CT. Note: there are file size limits however so pay close attention. If you're drawing file size is too large you're best bet is to zip the drawing file to reduce the size.

 

To start the process click on the Go Advanced button in the lower right-hand corner of the Quick Reply box. On the next page that comes up on your screen scroll down until you see the Manage Attachments button. Click on it. That's where the actual file uploading takes place.

[Alex At Altec]

Hi ReMArk,

 

Thank you for the help. I installed Winzip to allow the file to be compressed. However, once loaded the file was above the forums limit, 944KB. To help you and JD to determined what has gone gone with my method of drawing a thread, I produced a progression strip. This has proved to be to big.

 

I propose to break down the file into 2 or 3 drawings, zip them and then post!

 

What do you think?

 

Alex

[ReMark]

Maybe you could just post a few image files (jpg or png)?

 

I've looked at JDM's tutorial several times. Seems to me that even a completed 3D version of the stud and nut wouldn't generate an overly large file size. Did you purge the drawing file?

Edited August 6, 2010 by ReMark

[Alex At Altec]

Dear All,

 

Thanks for your help. Spent the weekend and finalling got an M6 thread for my front bearing spigot. Will now go for the internal thread.

 

Question: Have can I applied a steel finish, (render) to the surface.

 

Thanks agains guys.

Alex

[ReMark]

Materials can be applied individually to an object or assigned to a layer. The method you use is dependent upon the complexity of the drawing.