Threading a pre-existing hole?
Threading a pre-existing hole?
(OP)
I have an aluminum extrusion. It has a .70" ID hole in the middle of the extrusion. I need to thread both ends of this hole (extrusion is 14" long. I need to thread for a 3/4-16 fitting, .800 deep, on each end of this hole.
When I use the hole wizard, pick all the specs, click next, then click on the center of the hole, the 'point' button will show as depressed, then I get an error message saying: "Points to locate holes are not constrained".
If I click on the 'point' button just before I click in my object, to turn it off, it won't let me click in the object/hole center.
I'm a newb, what am I doing wrong? I have drilled holes in other parts with out problem, but they were solid materials. Here, I'm just trying to thread a hole that is pre-existing.
The profile of this part is drawn in the 'front' plane and I have selected that, before clicking on the hole wizard button. Once I finish with hole master and it prompts me to select the center point for the hole, I am trying to click in the center of this pre-existing hole. Is that wrong?
If I click the outside diameter of the hole, it makes a cut-away type of thing, down and to the left, no where close to where I clicked, centered or otherwise.
I have went through all of the tutorials, but didn't get any practice with threaded holes, just normal holes, which were of course in solid material.
When I use the hole wizard, pick all the specs, click next, then click on the center of the hole, the 'point' button will show as depressed, then I get an error message saying: "Points to locate holes are not constrained".
If I click on the 'point' button just before I click in my object, to turn it off, it won't let me click in the object/hole center.
I'm a newb, what am I doing wrong? I have drilled holes in other parts with out problem, but they were solid materials. Here, I'm just trying to thread a hole that is pre-existing.
The profile of this part is drawn in the 'front' plane and I have selected that, before clicking on the hole wizard button. Once I finish with hole master and it prompts me to select the center point for the hole, I am trying to click in the center of this pre-existing hole. Is that wrong?
If I click the outside diameter of the hole, it makes a cut-away type of thing, down and to the left, no where close to where I clicked, centered or otherwise.
I have went through all of the tutorials, but didn't get any practice with threaded holes, just normal holes, which were of course in solid material.






RE: Threading a pre-existing hole?
You can add the Cosmetic Thread icon onto your Annotations toolbar by going through the "Tools-Customize(Commands Tab)" or go to "Insert-Annotations-Cosmetic Thread"
Best Regards,
Jon
Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.
Solidworks 2005 SP2.0
RE: Threading a pre-existing hole?
If you activate the Hole Wizard before selecting a point on a face, you start a 3D sketch. This means that you will have to add more constraints to position your point & orient its axis in 3D space.
It is usually better to select a point ... close to where your hole needs to be ... and then activate the HW. This method starts a 2D sketch where all you need to constrain is the final point postion.
Check holes, 3D sketches in the SW Help files.
Also note that the Ø.700" hole is larger than the ANSI standard tapping drill hole dia (Ø.6875") so unless you change the HW tap drill dia, the HW will think it is not cutting a solid object & will return an error message.
Making the best use of this Forum. FAQ559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions. FAQ559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of. FAQ559-520
RE: Threading a pre-existing hole?
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
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