| Screws / Threading in Plastic and Steel [message #18488] Tue, 28 September 2010 14:31 UTC |
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I have an idea for a product, preferably in s/steel, but I suppose WSF or Detail might work. Part of the product will have a post into which I want to insert a screw.
Does anyone have experience doing this sort of thing? I suspect that modelling the thread in s/steel is going to be out of the question, which means I'm left with the acrylic.
Do you think that modelling the post with a smaller hole than the thread size would allow self-tapping when a screw is inserted?
Any feedback appreciated.
Glenn
Glenn ------ My Website Third Dimension Jewellery
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| Re: Screws / Threading in Plastic and Steel [message #18489 is a reply to message #18488 ] Tue, 28 September 2010 14:36 UTC |
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Hi, self tapping is possible, I did it with Alumide. Just please be sure that the hole is not too small or the tapping will cause it to stress-crack. Maybe if your hole is more than a few mm deep, you could use a diameter about 0.5mm smaller than the screw diameter?
QX
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| Re: Screws / Threading in Plastic and Steel [message #18515 is a reply to message #18488 ] Tue, 28 September 2010 20:30 UTC |
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Okay, well that helps, thanks. And as I recall Alumide is either WSF or Detail with something else thrown in.
Glenn
Glenn ------ My Website Third Dimension Jewellery
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| Re: Screws / Threading in Plastic and Steel [message #18518 is a reply to message #18488 ] Tue, 28 September 2010 21:33 UTC |
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If I recall correctly, Alumide is WSF with aluminum flakes (or some other form of aluminum) in it.
When in doubt... Duct tape!
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| Re: Screws / Threading in Plastic and Steel [message #38612 is a reply to message #18488 ] Tue, 15 November 2011 13:33 UTC |
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Hi,
A thread is quite easy to insert post-production, very difficult to print functionally (especially the small sizes) in 3D.
Seems like you would be much better off simply use a threading tap (preferably a blind-hole type) to get the threads in there after receiving the item.
My suggestion would be to model a cilindrical hole with pre-drilling size for the desired thread size. M4= hole size 3.2 mm.
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| Re: Screws / Threading in Plastic and Steel [message #44851 is a reply to message #38612 ] Sat, 03 March 2012 22:50 UTC |
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here's a neat chart for figuring out the drill size for thread size to properly tap the hole post process:
http://www.shender4.com/thread_chart.htm
Database Architect, DBA, Datacenter guru, infrastructure wizard, none of the above.
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| Re: Screws / Threading in Plastic and Steel [message #49863 is a reply to message #18488 ] Fri, 15 June 2012 09:29 UTC |
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I've some experience in this.
I ordered a multi-part assembly in steel from Shapeways with 1.2mm diameter blind pilot holes, and 1.5mm clearance holes for assembly with M1.4 screws.
I had to drill out all the holes to clean them up with a mini-pillar drill, but it wasn't difficult.
I used a micro tap & die set I'd bought from Amazon to do the tapping, with a liberal application of generic 3 in 1 oil to the pilot holes.
It worked surprisingly well, as with all tapping into steel, you need a delicate touch to avoid snapping the tap.
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