Modeling threads for 3D printing
Modeling threads for 3D printing
(OP)
Hello,
What is the best way to get threads in a .stl file so they can be printed? I realize that these threads may not function unless the printer is very accurate.
Using NX6.0.5.3 and TCuA8.3, once of my sites is looking to purchase a 3D printer so I don't have a specific machine yet.
Thanks it advance.
What is the best way to get threads in a .stl file so they can be printed? I realize that these threads may not function unless the printer is very accurate.
Using NX6.0.5.3 and TCuA8.3, once of my sites is looking to purchase a 3D printer so I don't have a specific machine yet.
Thanks it advance.





RE: Modeling threads for 3D printing
Internal threads can usually be easily tapped.
Have fun.....
Proud Member of the Reality-Based Community..
To the Toolmaker, your nice little cartoon drawing of your glass looks cool, but your solid model sucks. Do you want me to fix it, or are you going to take all week to get it back to me so I can get some work done?
RE: Modeling threads for 3D printing
RE: Modeling threads for 3D printing
Choose the detailed type and it will create threads on your model.
www.nxjournaling.com
RE: Modeling threads for 3D printing
Thank you for the response, is there a way to show the threads from the hole tool? i.e. I want to show 1/4 - 20 threads 5/8" deep. Do I have to look up the thread's parameters in order to show them detailed?
RE: Modeling threads for 3D printing
Believe me, you are going to have to at least chase the 1/4" - 20 threads with a tap. Order one now so that you will have it when the time comes.
Proud Member of the Reality-Based Community..
To the Toolmaker, your nice little cartoon drawing of your glass looks cool, but your solid model sucks. Do you want me to fix it, or are you going to take all week to get it back to me so I can get some work done?
RE: Modeling threads for 3D printing
I wouldn't be surprised if a future version of NX combined the 2 functions, it looks like the thread dialog is due for an update...
What you can do is create your threaded hole with the hole function then add the thread feature that references the existing expressions from the hole feature. That way if the values of the hole feature change, the thread will update accordingly.
www.nxjournaling.com
RE: Modeling threads for 3D printing
All that aside, do you know of a way for NX to display (and ultimately export) the threads without manually typing the major/minor diameter and pitch? I played with NX8.5 a bit to see if it was just something I am missing in NX6, however I don't see this functionality on the horizon, I can't be the only one that wants this.... can I?
Cowksi,
I'm glad you posted this as you are the #2 MVP here, second only to John and he works directly with the developers. Perhaps this is being shown in the UK Users group today in "what's new in NX9" the remainder of my CAD/PLM admin group resides in the UK and were in attendance..
For now I supposed the machinist handbook will be my friend to cross reference a standard thread size to its geometric features.
Thank you all for the posts! At least I am not the only one that doesn't see this option.
RE: Modeling threads for 3D printing
That being said, I also agree with cowski that you'll need to chase those threads with an actual 1/4-20 tap to get anything even close to usable for threads that small and even then I wouldn't expect good results. Now if the 3D Printing technology that you're using produces an actual SOLID part that is not just a hollow shell, like some RP methods do, then you might be better off just modeling the pilot hole and skipping the threads in the NX model altogether and physically add them using that 1/4-20 tap AFTER the printed model is created.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: Modeling threads for 3D printing
Fixed.
For the record, it was capnhook's suggestion (which I also agree with).
www.nxjournaling.com
RE: Modeling threads for 3D printing
Thanks for the comments, I too anticipate current RP technology will be far too lacking for a 1/4-20 thread. And after the first part or two I'll likely have convinced everyone here that we should add such things as a secondary step and leave some extra on the plastic RP parts to remove afterwards.
For future reference, any luck with standard thread sizes appearing in NX design feature > thread? Perhaps I’ll be luck enough for you to show this to me at the Indiana RUG this year for NX9 goodies..
RE: Modeling threads for 3D printing
I actually have a couple parts from our FDM machine that I used the thread function to model in 10-32 threads (I thought, why not? I'll give it a try). I can thread a 10-32 screw in with no secondary cleanup. The fit is slightly loose, but it was good enough for the intended purpose. The results of your experiment may surprise you, but I agree that for the best fit you will want to make the hole undersize then drill & tap as necessary.
www.nxjournaling.com
RE: Modeling threads for 3D printing
You are right, Trietch....after the first part or two it will be obvious what you will have to do. Threaded inserts like those used in the injection-molding world work AOK, too.
Proud Member of the Reality-Based Community..
To the Toolmaker, your nice little cartoon drawing of your glass looks cool, but your solid model sucks. Do you want me to fix it, or are you going to take all week to get it back to me so I can get some work done?
RE: Modeling threads for 3D printing
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: Modeling threads for 3D printing
RE: Modeling threads for 3D printing
For internal threads I control the minor dia by the hole size.