[green]"But what... is it good for?"[/green]
Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip.
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
No. To make "true" screw threads, you will need to define the helical screw path, then extrude the thread profile along the path. Making true threads in solid models is complicated, time-consuming, and generates a LOT of data in the model that is mostly useless for most purposes, thus the "cosmetic thread" approach.
BTW, why not just make your rapid prototype model with holes, then tap them (or inversely, with "studs" and then pass a die over them) to form the threads. Saves a lot of time, and probably gives better results than a "bitmapped" thread surface.
Anyone been able to make a thread library feature? I didn't have much luck last time I tried, seemed buggy trying to get the helix to add to the library.
Whoops. Pardon my lack of SolidWorks grammar; I should have said make a "cut-sweep" with the helix as the path.
1. Make a helix, then create a work plane perpendicular to one endpoint of the helix (Insert>Reference Geometry>Plane and select the normal to curve radio button, then click on one end of helix).
2. On the new plane, sketch the thread section geometry, close the sketch
3. In browser, select the helix and the thread geometry sketch, select Insert>Cut>Sweep
Still think "printed" threads are a lousy idea, but then haven't seen whether the newer machines can give good enough surface finishes.
You have to offset a new plane to the helix and build your profile on it. Then you can sweep the 2 together. See above for my link on the types of thread.zip file
![[pc2]](/data/assets/smilies/pc2.gif "[pc2] [pc2]")