14

I want to print a simple mechanism to adjust the distance between two pieces with a screw that can't come out of its socket on either end. What's the easiest way to model this?

top 4 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] empireOfLove@lemmy.one 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Model in a non threaded portion of your male "screw" with a diameter a bit smaller than your minor thread diameter, and the width of your "nut" female thread section. Print it vertical and put the nut over that non-threaded section so they don't interfere. If you do it this way you can get singinifcantly better backlash/tolerances than printing a thread on top of another thread, where the threads might try to merge when printing.

[-] FuglyDuck@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

what software are you using? this question is highly dependent on the software you use.

In F360, the most useful way is using the coil tool. Here's a good video showing different ways. to do it. the thread tool is probably the only reliable way if you're mating to an un-printed part. (as in the video, mating to a faucet,). But for 3d printing both the internal and external thread (what you're saying,) the coil tool will let you create stronger threads- you want beefy threads with plenty of surface area.

I would suggest a triangular pitch cross section (and put a chamfer on the peak, it'll just break anyhow. this will make screwing it a bit easier, too.), and I would highly recomend printing some kind of pin-test to see where your printer is in terms of tolerance. I just created a bunch small pins- 10mm diameter cylinders, 15 in height, and a slot cut into the top.

the first collar/pin has a gap of .1mm, increasing by .1 to .5, or more. but .5 is going to be very sloppy.

I would also suggest designing the part to be printed with the screw aligned vertically. That way you only print an overhang for the thread, instead of a bridge. You might have to plan on supports for the main body of whatever your designing, though. Another option is to design a cap nut on one side and print them separately... but it's going to be basically impossible for you to remove support from the thread and the internal thread needs some kind of support or it gets very crunchy very quick.

[-] PipedLinkBot@feddit.rocks 1 points 1 year ago

Here is an alternative Piped link(s):

different ways.

Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.

I'm open-source; check me out at GitHub.

[-] IMALlama@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

A small/narrow sacrificial breakaway bridge or three is what I would do

this post was submitted on 13 Oct 2023
14 points (100.0% liked)

3DPrinting

15675 readers
78 users here now

3DPrinting is a place where makers of all skill levels and walks of life can learn about and discuss 3D printing and development of 3D printed parts and devices.

The r/functionalprint community is now located at: !functionalprint@kbin.social or !functionalprint@fedia.io

There are CAD communities available at: !cad@lemmy.world or !freecad@lemmy.ml

Rules

If you need an easy way to host pictures, https://catbox.moe may be an option. Be ethical about what you post and donate if you are able or use this a lot. It is just an individual hosting content, not a company. The image embedding syntax for Lemmy is ![](URL)

Moderation policy: Light, mostly invisible

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS