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Threads and mirroring question
p_larsen
Member Posts: 3 ✭
I have a simple model where I need to create a rod on my 3D printer that's longer than the dimensions of my printers. So I'm printing it in 3 parts - a center piece and 2 end-pieces that goes on each side of the rod. You can see the model here: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/f4ed412ecfddac010e8bdb2e/w/b33e7150b5669bdb3f609e06/e/bafb5d98d05aa51c66bbd1f7?renderMode=0&uiState=68b5d4123c8fad6bb11cdfb4
While I'm not an expert Onshape user, I think I know enough to do circles and extrusions, and I found the ThreadLab working just fine for a small test. Since the rod has to have threads in both ends, I created one half the desired length, added the thread, and then mirrored it. Printing this produces the model I expect, but for a reason I cannot explain, I can only use the threads in one of the ends (the top part, which is the half I designed) where as on the mirrored part I am unable to get the screw effect going, and if I try to force it, the plastic breaks.
So I think I'm overlooking something and I hope someone can point out the glaring mistake I'm making. For now my theory is that the mirrored thread somehow is wrong.
Btw. I noticed the threadlab only offers a champer in one end of the thread. On the test model in the same document you can see I added a cone to manually champer both sides. Is there an easier way?
Best Answer
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Derek_Van_Allen_BD
Member Posts: 198 PRO
Your mirrored threads are correct, except they're backwards. By mirroring the part you've inverted the threads to run the opposite direction from the first side, so now they're left handed. What you need is a circular pattern or other transform that doesn't have a mirroring effect on the geometry to preserve the thread direction.
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Answers
Your mirrored threads are correct, except they're backwards. By mirroring the part you've inverted the threads to run the opposite direction from the first side, so now they're left handed. What you need is a circular pattern or other transform that doesn't have a mirroring effect on the geometry to preserve the thread direction.