Is it a good idea to create a nut via a boolean difference?

w_s856

Context: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/d7aebcbf751ea63aa06fa480/w/d496255ea19f9425bb0ebe6c/e/1fe3d10623afa6ca25027db7?renderMode=0&uiState=675ab97ab329a536158b8508

I saw several tutorials about how to create a thread and a corresponding nut. When I discovered the boolean operation with an offset and already having an external thread on a cylinder, I tried to generate a nut this way. It worked visually.

Now: is this a proper way to make a bolt + nut, especially in the context of 3D printing?

Konst_Sh

There are 2 considerations here:

1. you might want to control the gaps on top/bottom of the thread diameters separately from the gaps on the side faces.
2. you will need to make sure that on the mid diam the width of the bolt and nut threads is equal - this will maximize the load capacity

So all in all just subtraction with offset might not be good enough because of the lack of control

jelte_steur814

in addition to that: you could boolean and then offset separately with 'move face'.

or boolean cut with an offset and just 'move face' one of those back/further.

martin_kopplow

Well, Jelte is right. But …. ;0)

While it is not the ultimate path to engineering enlightenment, it'll most probably suffice for 3D printing.