Atom3D and threads for 3D printing

[DavidR8]

I've done a bunch of searching here and elsewhere and it seems that only Alibre Design has the ability to make actual threaded holes and not just cosmetic threads. Or is there some hidden way to make threads?

 

[dlaery]

you should have Helical Boss and Helical Cut in Atom to do real threads.

 

[Ken226]

I've done a bunch of searching here and elsewhere and it seems that only Alibre Design has the ability to make actual threaded holes and not just cosmetic threads. Or is there some hidden way to make threads?

Even in Alibre Design Expert, there's no dedicated button or function for modeling actual threads.

Design and Atom work the same way for modeling threads.

Here's a quick and easy overview on it:

Internal is done the same as external. Just sketch the thread Inside the hole, with the root pointing out, instead of in.

If your hole isn't symmetric to a default plane, you'll need to create a new plane bisecting the hole. For the purposes of creating a workplane, treat a cylindrical hole the same as a cylindrical solid.

 

[DavidR8]

Thanks @Ken226

 

[jasonmburns]

I've done a bunch of searching here and elsewhere and it seems that only Alibre Design has the ability to make actual threaded holes and not just cosmetic threads. Or is there some hidden way to make threads?

We have been asking for this feature for a long time. I don't know if Alibre is actually working on it or not, but they do know we want this feature.

 

[DavidR8]

We have been asking for this feature for a long time. I don't know if Alibre is actually working on it or not, but they do know we want this feature.

Maybe I'll add my voice to that ask!

 

[UGMENTALCASE]

Threaded holes are great for 3d printing for sure, but if you produce a drawing with actual threads on it's a nightmare. If you have MOI3D people have written scripts to build threads and screws and such, it maybe a thing that could be translated into Alibre script function? Not sure, I'm hopeless at any sort of programming language like that

 

[gsieben]

actual threads on it's a nightmare

I wonder if there would be some sort of hybrid possible; where you could choose to have the aesthetic threads in the model for both performance and edit-friendliness, but then create real threads when exporting to an STL or STEP for manufacturing or 3D Printing. Or, perhaps, just the ability to use the Helix tool with the Holes Library.

 

[jasonmburns]

I wonder if there would be some sort of hybrid possible; where you could choose to have the aesthetic threads in the model for both performance and edit-friendliness, but then create real threads when exporting to an STL or STEP for manufacturing or 3D Printing. Or, perhaps, just the ability to use the Helix tool with the Holes Library.

Most 3D CAD programs have a checkbox that lets you select visual threads or physical threads. I'm really surprised Alibre doesn't have this feature yet as most CAD programs have had this ability for many years now.