External Thread On a Shaft 1

[mholland]

Hey

I'm a new user of SW after making the switch from ProE. I've been working through the tutorials and I'm getting on quite well, or so I thought!
I just want to simply put a thread on a shaft, similar to the cosmetic thread feature on ProE. This does however have to be an actual thread. I've tried drawing a section with a 60 degree triangle and doing a revolve cut - and then patterning - which does work but isn't entirely acurate.
Is there any other way of applying an external thread on SW, ie. selecting a cylindrical face specifying the thread depth, length and pitch and letting it draw it for you
Apologies if this is a newbie question but I'm not very clever!

Regards,

Mat

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Creating "real" threads on a model takes up valuable resources,usually a texture is applied instead.

See Types of Threads at

http://www.scottjbaugh.com/Design_Portfolio/SW Models.htm

 

[JMirisola]

You'll want to create a helix, and then a swept cut, Mat.


Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

 

[ctopher]

I agree with the others. Unless you are going to use this model to create a mold or CNC from it, there is no point of creating exact models of threads. It will take up too much recources and is not worth the time.

Chris
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-27-06)

 

[SBaugh]

Its doesn't have to be a cut it can also be an extrusion either way works, but like the others have said if you don't need that detail don't add it because its going to cause performance degradation.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[mholland]

Thanks for the replies people. I think I'm gonna make a helix and sweep cut along that profile - as Jeff suggested.

Regards

 

[Heckler]

IMHO, modeling threads is a big waste of time and computer resources.

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 5.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
o
_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience every time.

 

[Theophilus]

Since this is the "male" side--threads on the outside of a cylinder--you'd be better off sweeping a positive form over the cylinder instead of cutting a negative form from it. It comes out cleaner and more like true threads that way. Plus, you can taper the ends of the thread if you like by adding a similar curve to the ends of your helix (more complicated, but more accurate).



Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reason trumps all. And awe trumps reason.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Theo' ... do you run the lathe in reverse when you turn the thread "onto" the diameter?

 

[Theophilus]

HA! That's funny. I think it's the difference of approaching part design from a molded perspective (like mine) versus a machining perspective like yours. When I do threads, they're almost always molded, and can therefore be "custom" in shape--typically an additive process to a wall thickness instead of removed from solid material.

Good point--depends what you need in the end.



Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reason trumps all. And awe trumps reason.

 

[ScottinSD]

Usually modelling a thread is a waste of time, unless you are modeling a part where the threads are a very important feature and the ability to see how the thread interacts with other features is of importance. When you are going to place an order for thousands of these threaded parts, making sure that everything is right can sometimes make modelling the thread worthwhile. I have also found that it makes the parts look much better in documentation that is for the customer.