How to model a nut no videos anywhere

Rhino Rhino for Windows
21

I disagree. I think the music is distracting. I had to put it on mute.

Also not easy to follow. I’m not a fan of “wireframe” mode except under certain circumstances.

The point here I think is that all the videos available on this matter, are all pretty bad.

If I were ever to post a video, I’m sure I could do a better job, and I’m not even a youtuber yet. So, I’m seriously considering it.

Also, here’s a screenshot of that video where the operator created an unrealistic feature of the thread:

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Bending the helix inwards like that is not realistic, unless maybe using CNC toolpaths to do that – for some particular reason.

I believe what’s really happening there is the modeler doesn’t actually understand threads.

Almost looks like the operator is trying to weld-on helicoil or something:

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Luckily the placement of the nut in this case is more accurate of transition for the beginning and end of it’s helix:

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Although, sharing the same space with no clearance could be an issue IRL.

Not sure I’ve ever seen a nut and a bolt-head ever share the exact same length:

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I have seen cases where a machinist would neck down the shank like that for clearance, but there’s not very many industry standard bolts that I’ve seen that would do that. It would probably pose a risk of being a weak-spot under high-torque.

22

This person looks like they’re keeping their tool up to date:

But looks pretty complicated :sweat_smile:

I kinda suspected that “boltgen” was falling behind on updates/development:

And not sure why everyone thinks ‘Mcmastercarr’ has the best most accurate 3D modelers on the planet that make perfect threads on every part you can download.

This used to not be the case. I’ve seen some pretty bad files I’ve downloaded from them. I always just consider it as “mockup” geometry when I’m lazy and don’t want to model something from scratch – especially stuff ‘off-the-shelf’ I buy from them.

It is nice that there 3D modelers seem to have improved their talent over the years though.

23

If you have enough ambition you can script the creation of fasteners. Like this:

This is not publicly available, but I’m just showing what is possible if you want it bad enough. :slight_smile:

24

Regarding qualities of video - it’s incredibly relative across the youtube landscape, (wouldn’t argue with your experience of that one). Have found the lack of narration can be nice if I’m trying to “random access” some tutorial without having to to listen to a long-winded explanation. But yeah, a lot of the aspects of the example part are pretty weird - the curving in on the helix seems like it might have been intended to simulate a taper on a thread-forming plastic screw or something? So - sure, not at all realistic.

Nevertheless, flaws aside - it turned out to be informative for me when I was a noob and ran into a similar conundrum as the OP. Key points I was able take from it (and there may have been other sources of info), which were unfamiliar concepts at the time, (coming from mostly a basic hand drafting and some Autocad background) - were using Orient to relate the thread profile to a point on the helix and Sweep1 to build it.

Just the intro to those two commands was worth the pain. The part that I managed to get out of it was printed in resin and fit pretty well -

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(the exercise was driven totally out necessity and the fact that to do it any normal way required either a lathe or an unusual and expensive die)

25

:dizzy_face: :exploding_head: I’m speechless :rofl: :sweat_smile: :sob: :money_mouth_face:

@DanBayn so awesome! :sunglasses: :sweat_smile:

Yeah, it depends on design intent I suppose, and whatever works IRL. Honestly, the only two real reasons to create realistic threads is for visual appeal in virtual realm or these days for 3D printing of course.

Because, IRL the CNC programmer or even manual machinist only needs the specs to get the job done.

From a CAM standpoint, it’s actually better to have a round straight hole, or rather one starting point and one ending point – for reference in the CAM GUI.

True, usually all that’s needed for success is a workflow or recipe that works – whatever works is all that matters. It can be frustrating when a ‘user’ hits a wall, but liberating when said ‘user’ learns the trade-secrets to break through it.

26

Try looking up Solidworks tutorials on this. Different software but the basic ideas on making good looking nuts and bolts works in Rhino.

27

Will it be available for download at some point? Looks promising.

Personally I use a bunch of modified screws, nuts and washers generate by Boltgen, with added center line and end points for easier and more accurate snapping to holes and other objects. I also set a specific Custom mesh to each fastener to optimize the polygon count. Then I export each of these placed in the center of the scene. Here is an example:
M8x1.25 (Length 50).3dm (146.8 KB)

I no longer use fasteners with threads, because they are too heavy for use in complex scenes with thousands of parts inside. However, using Boltgen to make your own library with threaded fasteners is just as easy.

28

Again, as we can assume more basic stuff, without threadrolling (which would require understanding material taper changes, I would try this subtractively.

Model the thread complete on an undercut wide shaft, then turn in the male helix (as if it were female, using an inverted definition, like the hex) into the bolt, boolean subtract.

To neaten the end, I would literally do as I would on a CNC, and just higbee the thread away, if the specification called for it. But many bolts I have done don’t care for many smaller threads <M12 or so, even for Aerospace specials, unless they are coated.

Sadly, this approach isn’t parametric. I guess you could make it such.

29

Eventually I will make it available. But not in the near future. I agree about the full threads. That’s why I have a checkbox for adding threads. Most times I don’t use the threads, but adding threads was a personal challenge, and I think I knocked it out of the park. :slight_smile:

30

I was just checking out my Machinery’s Handbook Pocket Companion today – had to dust it off :sweat_smile:

And I stumbled on this nice searchable digital version: https://iem.ca/pdf/resources/Machinery’s%20handbook%20pocket%20companion%20_%20a%20reference%20book%20for%20the%20mechanical%20engineer,%20designer,%20manufacturing%20engineer,%20draftsman,%20toolmaker,%20and%20machinist.pdf

I wish the link didn’t look so funny though :thinking:

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looks like maybe a 30 degree angle slope … straight…
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the “precision type” is probably the version I’d focus on…(for the nut). looks like some details are missing too, like whether or not there’s actually supposed to be a countersink on either side, or some kind of deburring cuts.

I’d probably have to study the written details somewhere. And maybe reference my textbooks from college :sweat_smile:

There’s one source that implies there’s a 120 degree countersink…

This site is implying the ISO standard has a threshold for both angles:

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31

Here’s a V7 example: https://youtu.be/PyF6r5sr8uM :sweat_smile:
nut_v1.3dm (3.6 MB)

32

15:40 if you flip the curve direction used for the revolve, the surface can be used for a boolean difference because the normal points away from the nut…

33

Thank you for the tip :beers:

For my next version I’ll be trying to apply technology like this:

It seems very promising. I still have alot to learn about GH. So, this will be a good project to motivate me more.

It’s weird to me that GH doesn’t already have ‘every’ Rhino tool like a simple ‘helix’. I guess it’s more complicated than I thought. I have more to learn about helices I suppose.

34

OMG, 44 mins, and narration, …not for anyone in a hurry.

I measured my nut and created it in 10 mins using steps I mentioned, (not inc the thread)

My nut is not a standard one in a book, not that I know of anyway.

This is for me a sledgehammer to crack a nut !

Steve

35

Honest question: the first response in this thread gave you a near perfect way to model a nut, a challenge that is really of the most basic nature of what can be achieved with rhino.
You complain about having to watch an hour of a video tutorial, yet here we are in a thread that goes on for a week.
Nothing wrong with having a little hobby project and some interesting answers in this thread, but I fail to understand what your problem is.
What am I missing?

Edit: please don’t take this the wrong way and feel free to keep asking all the question you like, I really don’t want to stop you from anything. It’s just a riddle to me.

36

raw, uncut, unscripted, on-the-fly, etc. Indeed, it should only take 30 seconds, as @DanBayn demonstrated.

But, it all depends on what the requisites are.

@Steve1 if you were able to “measure nut and create said nut in 10 mins using steps you mentiond”? then perhaps I’ll create anew thread and go in a different direction on this matter, as I have no idea what you need for insight, if any.

perhaps those are the ‘steps’ he mentioned. Indeed I recall many examples of solutions, and still yet no solution accepted lol.

Indeed, this is the angle I’m going with it, so most definitely will create anew thread – for the direction I want to go is with Grasshopper most likely. But first I’ll probably boil down some sequences with Rhino commands and decide and list something specific in the long run.

Then maybe I’ll create a V2 video that’s 10min, and scripted lol or rather no narration and maybe some nice music haha.

However, there is something to be said about ‘long-form’ and the requisite of ‘time-to-invest’ for those who seek ‘trade-secret’ work-flows – per say. I understand time is money, and most members here are in direct connection to many trade-secrets, but there’s nothing wrong with the requisite of time-investment placed upon an audience – not to mention the option of the fast forward buttons and slider.

Yes, the V1 video captured some hurdles I had, and I’m sure it would have been easier to do without the requisite of narration on the fly. Maybe next time I’ll add the narration afterwards and edit the video.

But time is money, of course, and the balance will have some effect.

Seriously though, where’s GH’s ‘helix’ component? lol :coffee:

time for spiral component.

37

I used to use BoltGen for making threads.

There’s also a Grasshopper script, somewhere…

[I was working on a project for a friend that I needed to know what length a fastened/coupled NPT (National-Pipe-Thread) would end up, when tightened. That was kind of a chore. I had so many fittings in this project: JIC, SAE, and NPT, that whereever I could, I just downloaded whatever I could from Parker, as I descended into the world of hydraulics : ) ]

38

I do both outside and inside threads with my students in one exercise, I have basic instructions in a PDF, I wouldn’t mind making a video, but unfortunately I haven’t had time for the last month and won’t for another week or so…

39

I eagerly await that, we need a definitive video from an expert, much overdue.
Would it be seen on you tube for all folk to benefit from ?

Steve

40

No, I don’t have a YouTube channel and I don’t really intend to start one…