v28 still missing thread modeling

[techogre]

I was hoping the new v28 would include actual thread modelling for those of us who design for 3d printers. Yes, I can do it "by hand" with the helix tool, but being able to simply select a thread type and apply it to the outside of the screw part and the inside of the nut part would have made my life so much simpler.

 

[JimCad]

Yes I'd love that feature but don't currently do very much 3D printing.
It's still superb software though.

Jim

 

[techogre]

Yes I'd love that feature but don't currently do very much 3D printing.
It's still superb software though.

Jim

I totally agree. I love Alibre Design. I realize not everyone uses it for 3D printing; however, that aspect is, I think, a growing segment of users.

 

[jasonmburns]

I have asked Alibre for this feature for many years. I have renewed maintenance repeatedly, hoping they would give me this feature. Unless Alibre brings this or something else I can't live without, I don't think I am going to renew again. It's a lot of money and I don't see anything new I can't live without.

 

[techogre]

If they see that 60%+ of users want this feature, it might light a metaphorical fire under their sitters.

 

[Andy]

We have for a number of years now had to move models into Fusion 360 to create threads, pain in the backside!

 

[Ken226]

What's difficult about sketching a triangle and pushing the helix button?

 

[Ex Machina]

While a 3D thread form feature would be welcome in this 3D printing day and age, it is useless in any sort of mechanical design if it works like fusion. You see in Fusion, if you use the 3D form option you lose the callout in the drawing environment.

So, yeah, I would use a 3D form feature but only if it retained the callout in the 2D drawing environment.

 

[techogre]

While a 3D thread form feature would be welcome in this 3D printing day and age, it is useless in any sort of mechanical design if it works like fusion. You see in Fusion, if you use the 3D form option you lose the callout in the drawing environment.

So, yeah, I would use a 3D form feature but only if it retained the callout in the 2D drawing environment.

Excellent point. While it's not something I would use, I can see the utility of it.

EDIT: Maybe separate the two functions? Maybe combine the two, somehow? How do other CADs handle that?

 

[techogre]

What's difficult about sketching a triangle and pushing the helix button?

Nothing. I just want a convenience tool. I want to be able to add a thread easily and consistently. Why have any tool other than a simple line?

 

[Ken226]

Nothing. I just want a convenience tool. I want to be able to add a thread easily and consistently. Why have any tool other than a simple line?

Sure, I get that, I'd like to see a thread modelling easy button as well. I was replying to the post immediately preceding mine. To that end, saving a model then importing it to Fusion just to add threads seems a bit much? Is easier than sketching a triangle and using the helix tool? If so, why not just do it all in Fusion and skip Alibre altogether, as Fusion is plenty capable?


Here is a quick example. It took me 3 minutes to do this video, and i bet i could cut that time in half without much effort, if not explaining for the video while doing.

I'd be curious as to how long it takes to export a model from Alibre to Fusion, add threads in Fusion, the re-import it into Alibre. Could it be done in the time I spent making this video?

Quickly and Easily Model Threads With Alibre

How to quickly and easily model threads Using Alibre Design.

rumble.com

Edit because I forgot to put in the video: The chamfer tool will add the flat to the thread peak, I'd so desired.

 

[timR]

@Ken226 does make it look easy ... and rounding off the pitch space does work to mitigate some weird problems.

I've used the regular threaded holes and external threads feature and then added the physical helix cuts for 3D print models so you still get 2D drawing call-outs. I can then easily suppress the helical cut if needed.

Not sure how other CAD pkgs do this but possibly a global thread generate option all/auto/off with a auto/off option in each hole/external. thread feature? Things could get a little more complicated if you want to adjust the default Alibre thread parameters, i.e. crest, trough, angle, etc.

 

[HaroldL]

Seems everyone has their own technique for creating threaded features. If you search on YouTube for Alibre thread tutorials you'll likely find 3 or 4 more videos on the subject.

 

[JCloutz]

While its not exactly as integrated of a tool as you might like, you could use Toolbox to create an internal thread plug.

You would then just design your parts with a blank hole and insert the plugs later in an assembly.

Its definitely a work around for an integrated thread cutting tool, but this could save you a lot of time depending on the part geometry.

Hope it helps!

 

[J.M.]

It's a major time saver. To paraphrase others, '...why do we have a rectangle tool?...' To save time. Inventor had this eons ago, including (if I remember correctly) drunken threads, reverse threads, NPT, custom tapers etc. I've been asking/hoping for a decade. With the rise of 3D printing, now more than ever, it's a sore spot in Alibre.

 

[techogre]

It's a major time saver. To paraphrase others, '...why do we have a rectangle tool?...' To save time. Inventor had this eons ago, including (if I remember correctly) drunken threads, reverse threads, NPT, custom tapers etc. I've been asking/hoping for a decade. With the rise of 3D printing, now more than ever, it's a sore spot in Alibre.

Agreed. I would hate to have to relearn a new CAD to get that quality of life addition. Yes, I know, learning a new CAD is not that big a deal, but it would be a pain in the butt.

 

[HaroldL]

While its not exactly as integrated of a tool as you might like, you could use Toolbox to create an internal thread plug.

You would then just design your parts with a blank hole and insert the plugs later in an assembly.

Its definitely a work around for an integrated thread cutting tool, but this could save you a lot of time depending on the part geometry.

Hope it helps!

And here's an @Ex Machina video showing another method for creating a tool box part for threading with a Boolean feature.

Sorry, forgot to paste the link.

 

[NateLiquidGravity]

If they just added the same features that can be manually created into the API then someone on here would knock the tool out in a weekend.

 

[stepalibre]

If they just added the same features that can be manually created into the API then someone on here would knock the tool out in a weekend.

Many pieces are present to build something today.

 

[NateLiquidGravity]

Many pieces are present to build something today.

Unless I'm misremembering - helical features and Boolean features can't be created by the API. You could create a 3d path and sweep it i guess but that would be a lot more work.