Last week, I talked about our plug-in screenGrab for Inventor. Today, I’d like to introduce our shooting star: threadModeler
You can find it in the “Most Popular Apps” section of the Inventor App Store.
The threadModeler has been developed to allow Inventor users to generate a realistic modeled equivalent thread based on an existing Inventor thread feature.
Like all other coolOrange plug-ins you can download it from the Inventor App Store. The installation is again pretty straight forward. Just run the .msi file and follow the instructions.
In the coolOrange menu of the panel in Inventor parts, you will get a new command “threadModeler”.
If you click it, an existing thread feature can be selected in the model browser, which the threadModeler then converts to a realistic 3D modeled thread – based on the underlying thread feature properties.
Modeled threads are accurately generated, saving a lot of time and effort for the user when compared with a manual approach. Your threads simply will look a lot more realistic!
Have fun with the threadModeler!
First, let me say that I LOVE your thread modeler for generating realistic thread images. I am going to ask if it might be possible to enhance this feature to generate not just realistic threads, but true, actual accurate threads for use in 3D printer outputs.
Your process of additive and subtractive rotations and then adding the generic sketch for the Coil command in Inventor uses the base thread parameters of the original feature after it has been suppressed which works well for producing realistic looking threads. The problem is that the geometry of the generic sketch and the dimensions of the additive and subtractive rotations are not correct for true threads. The angle is 55° instead of 60°, there is no allowance to ANSI standard relief in either the external or internal Major or Minor base diameters making the pitch line incorrect. Truncations of major and minor threads are also incorrect which means the current Thread Modeler cannot be used to model actual threads.
Given the phenomenal rise of 3D printing, would you have any interest in modifying the existing program or developing a new one to accurately generate true, usable threads? Could your innovative procedure in the existing Thread Modeler be modified to use an internal ANSI table of true dimensions and profiles for creating both rotations and sketches required? This information is available here: http://www.amesweb.info/Screws/AsmeUnifiedInchScrewThread.aspx#.VDxARnx0z4Z
Thank you for all of your super offerings.
Hallo Alexandra,
please report your issue to support@coolorange.com. Please name version of Inventor and of your operating system. If you get an error message, could you please send a screenshot.
Please note that Inventor LT is not supported.
Thank you
Markus
Marcus. If you are a Cool Orange representative, could you please provide a response to my query dated Oct. 13, 2014?
if you select the template “BSW Template.ipt” in the threadModeler dialog the angle should be already 55°. Thank you for reporting.
Exactly, and 55° is inaccurate, as are the other parameters outlined in the second paragraph of my initial post. Never mind, it appears that no progress will be made in creating accurate threads for 3D printed models. The work-around is to design the threads into the model to begin with – which makes the Thread Modeler an un-needed application.
I want to use the thread modeler. But I can’t install it to my CAD. Inventor 2015.
I think I got some Problems with the app.change. Where I can find a discription? On the page Coolorange don’t give me more answers.
So if thread modeler does not put down 3 D printable threads, what is the best way to draw printable threads for my MakerBot Replicator?
Hi Deryl, thanks for posting your comment. Could you articulate your situation? Do you have an issue between core and nominal diameter? We are endeavour to create excellent software, and customer feedback is key. If you could share with us your experience we can see to either find a workaround or improve the software. If you don’t mind, we would prefer continuing the discussion via email, as it might become too long here on the blog. Could you please send us more details to support@coolorange.com?
You are going to have to actually model the true thread geometry per ANSI standards into your model. The Thread Modeler will not do that, so it is an unusable application for printing true threads. See the reference at the end of my post dated October 13, 2014. Obviously, Cool Orange is not going to address the issue.
Hi Dwayne, the threadModeler has some rules it follows in order to create threads and there is a template file behind that might be tweaked in order to achieve even more flexibility. As you mention 3D printing, could you please give us more details on your requirements and how the software does not meet such requirements? We just put some effort in improving the threadModeler and have so far good feedback. If you could give us more information, we would love to put your points on the next release. If you don’t mind, please send us your feedback via email to support@coolorange.com. We will have further questions and email is more appropriate for this type of conversation. Look forward for the your input. Thanks!
Hi, does this plugin include the clearance needed for thread?
I have had limited success getting the threads to print? I create the thread using autodesk thread tool. I then open coolorange. click the thread link in the menu, then hit ok. The thread shows up but does not print. Any help would be appreciated
Hi, thread modeler is nice option for generating realistic thread.
But, I can’t see “threadModeler” option under the “tools” tab in Autodesk inventor professional 2017. Does it required any additional plugin to install threadModeler?
I have the same issue. The installation worked, I guess, but I can’t find the threadmodeler anywhere. I’m in the part file, not in an assembly.
Hi, this is due to new security mechanism in Inventor. You need to unblock the App in the AddIn-Manager. For details please refer to the threadModeler Wiki: http://wiki.coolorange.com/display/threadModeler/Installation
If you still have questions, please contact support@coolOrange.com
Markus
What is the best practice for mating a nut and bolt with realistic threads, so that they are properly “assembled”…not interfering?
You are going to have to actually model the true thread geometry per ANSI standards into your model. The Thread Modeler will not do that, so it is an unusable application for printing true threads. See the reference at the end of my post dated October 13, 2014. Obviously, Cool Orange is not going to address the issue.
Hi everyone,
in addition to coolOrange´s support there are also other people who think thas ThreadModeler is great and describe its use in a video, e.g. TFI does in one of his Inventor tutorials that you might find under https://youtu.be/ZxiN_M5zwO4.
The “best practice for mating a nut and bolt with realistic threads, so that they are properly assembled” is not difficult and is explained there.
Greetings from Ratingen Germany,
Ulrich