TUTORIAL 4

Cut Threads
Learning Objectives
After completing this tutorial, you will be able to:

Use the new 3D Modeling tools in AutoCAD 2007 for Helical cutting. Required Competencies
Before starting this tutorial, you should have been able to:

Use AutoCAD at an intermediate to advanced level Manipulate the DUCS Use the Helix tool Sweep Solids

Oneofthemostcommonquestionsthatcomesupwhenbeginnersarelearning AutoCAD3Dishowtocreateacutthread.Thenew3DmodelingtoolsinAutoCAD 2007allowyoutomodeltruehelicalpathsthatpreviouslywerenotpossibletomodelin AutoCAD.Thistutorialassumesthattheuseriscompletelyfamiliarwithcreating precise2Dsketchesofarcs,lines,polylines,andsplinesinanylocationaswellasthe3D toolsfrompreviousreleases.

Cut Threads

Cut Threads

1. OpenthefilenamedTutorial4Threads.dwg.WearegoingtocutM10x1.5 threads.ChecktheMachinerysHandbookforcompleteinformationonthread forms.

Figure 1

2. TurnoffalllayersexcepttheRodSketchandRodSolidlayersandmake theRodSolidlayertheactivelayer.RevolvetheRodSketchasshown.

Figure 2

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Copyright 2006, J.D. Mather Pennsylvania College of Technology

3. TurnontheExternalThreadingToolandHelixPathlayers,MaketheHelixPath layertheactivelayer.SelecttheHelixtoolandthenselecttheCentersnappoint oftheendoftherod.(Tip:Byselectingacirclecenterpointweautomaticallysetthe zaxisperpendiculartothecircleifDUCSisturnedon.)

Figure 3

4. ThenselecttheIntersectionofthecornerofthecuttingtoolasthebaseradius. Pressentertoacceptthesamedistanceasthetopradius.

Figure 4

Cut Threads

5. RMBselectturnHeightandenteraheightof1.5forthepitchofthethread.

Figure 5

6. Andthentrackalongtheaxisgoingacoupleofturnsbeyondtheendoftherod. (Tip:Ifyourzaxishappenstobepointinginthewrongdirectionyoucantracktheaxis ofthehelixbypausingoverthecenterofthestartendandthentrackingindesired directionoftheaxis.)

Figure 6

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Copyright 2006, J.D. Mather Pennsylvania College of Technology

7. StarttheSweeptoolandselectthecuttingtoolsketch.ThenRMBandselect AlignmentandNo.Thenselectthehelicalpath.

Figure 7

8. Ifyouaregoingtorapidprototypethepartviaanstlfileyoumightwantto makeacopyofthethreadcutshiftedalongtheaxisthedesiredclearance distance.

Figure 8

Cut Threads

9. SubtracttheSweepandmakesuretherodisontheRodSolidlayerandturnoff theotherlayers.

Figure 9

10. TurnoffalllayersexcepttheNutSketchandNutSolidlayersandmaketheNut Solidlayertheactivelayer.

Figure 10

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Copyright 2006, J.D. Mather Pennsylvania College of Technology

11. Extrudethehexagontothecenterofthesecondcircleasshown.(Tip:Shownin Figure11inxrayvisualstylemode.

Figure 11

12. Presspulltheholethroughthepart.

Figure 12

Cut Threads

13. Extrudethelargercirclethatistangenttothehexagonwithataperof45(or45) beyondthelengthofthenut.

Figure 13

14. UsetheIntersectiontooltoderivetheintersectionbetweenthetwosolids.This cutsachamferonthenut.

Figure 14

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Copyright 2006, J.D. Mather Pennsylvania College of Technology

15. Repeatthesameprocedureontheotherside.

Figure 15

16. Adda0.75mmChamfertobothendsoftheholeinthenut.

Figure 16

Cut Threads

17. TurntheInternalThreadingToollayeron.CreateanewHelixpathforthe internalthreadingtool.

Figure 17

18. Sweepthecuttoolandsubtractaswasdonewiththeexternalthread.

Figure 18
10 Tutorial 4
Copyright 2006, J.D. Mather Pennsylvania College of Technology

Figure 19

That completes the internal and external cut threads. Remember you might want to cut clearance if you are going to rapid prototype your cut thread parts. Keep in mind that RP processes are not as accurate as machined processes and may require a more liberal clearance.

Cut Threads

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