Toolbox-Threaded fasteners

[modman]

Hey-Cant use many of the threaded fasteners in Toolbox because the lengths and grip lengths don’t match any of the AN, NAS or MS fasteners used everyday. So utilizing the default parts for screws and bolts what is the best way to make what we use? Looking at an xxxxx_ai.sldprt there is a complex equation that creates the, for example, ANSI Standard part for a screw. If changing anything when rebuild the changes are ignored because of the equation, so do ppl insert a part that is close to what’s needed then delete or suppress all equations, modifying as required (saving as the part needed)? Using add parts wizard added a section in browser for AN, NAS and MS under ANSI (smart mate didn’t recognize at top level so had to put it under a top level and it works) so can use the custom fasteners with smart mates, like to find out the best way to make the fasteners we commonly use and am setting this up on network so what ever is done trying to make it as streamlined as possible so other ppl won’t have to add parts using the wizard ever time a new fastener is added.

 

[ShaggyPE]

I have used the default part and created a design table with all the important dims. Within the design table you can very easily change dims and add new configs. of sizes. I haven't experienced the problem with equations not allowing me to change sizes though.

 

[JNR]

One of the founders of the Portland Area SWUG has his extensive fastener library built using VERY few part files and MULTIPLE configurations built with Design Tables. He seems to like it a lot. Nice thing about this method is you can add by merely adding a line in the DT.

I have not looked at Toolbox lately. We had the original version. I did not like it at all. If you tried to edit a part and opened a sketch nothing was constrained at all. No relationships, no dimensions - they didn't even have the sense to fix everything. Looking at the quality of the models and comparing o the standards I strongly suspect the original product "grew" out of someone's work on their own library parts. However, after SW took it over, they should have had someone go in and verify the accuracy of eveything. If the sized are not to the standards by now you should squawk LOUDLY to your VAR and SW. One other thing. Modelling threads (yadda, yadda ,yadda)...... OK they use rotated triangular threads instead of helical threads like all of us do, that's fine -BUT the major and minor diameters and the pitch were not even close to being correct! Hope things have improved some in Toolbox since then.

3/4 of all the Spam produced goes to Hawaii - shame that's not true of SPAM also.......