Mating/Constraining a Bolted Connection

[BOPdesigner]

I have two cylindrical parts that will mate together with threads. For simplicity, like threading a plug (external threads) into a pipe (internal threads) Both parts will be molded, including the threads, so the start and finish of the threads will always be at the same location with respect to other detailed features on the parts. In modeling (NX 5.0.3) I know that I can constrain the two parts by their cylindrical centerlines and perhaps mating faces, but is there some kind of a mating or assembly arrangement technique that can be applied so that when I rotate the plug, that it actually moves axially into or out of the pipe, or vise-verse where I move the plug axially it rotates about that axis and the threads maintain proper engagement?

 

[JohnRBaker]

Theoretically, if you aligned the centerlines and then used a 'Touch' constraint between the helical faces of the threaded parts, this might allow you to do just that.


John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
NX Design
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

 

[hudson888]

If not you can either include an angular mating condition between datum planes for example in each of the parts and have it calculate pitch x angle/60 to drive a distance mating condition, or set it all up in reverse so that the angle is calculated based on the distance input. You would only need to use a combination of expressions and mating conditions to do this. You should be able to get the pitch from the thread definition parameters.

Best Regards

Hudson