=====start documentation===== Create nuts, bolts, washers, tslots

This library was created to make adding nuts and bolts to 3D and 2D designs easier. The library provides features for making cut-outs for captive nuts and washers, bolt holes and t-slot joints. Check the documentation below for more information.

Aaron Ciuffo - http://www.thingiverse.com/txoof/about, Reach me also at gmail: aaron.ciuffo

These fasteners are close aproximations to the ISO standards, but in many cases are fudged. Most notably the thread algorithm is not at all ISO compliant.

Latest version available on GitHub

Revision of http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1220331

Thanks to:

• Biomushroom: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:965737 by biomushroom

• TrevorM: Thread algorythm based on http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:27183 by Trevor Moseley

  ISSUES:

  • only metric threads have been implemented
  • grub/set screws do not have socket heads
  • nodes do not work properly for sizes above M4
  • button head size is a bit of a fudge.

  TODO:

  • add socket to grub screws

How To Use:

• Download this script
• comment out the bolt() call
• add the following line to your script:

  include </path/to/script/nuts_and_bolts.scad>

• see below for specifics

Available Nut, Bolt, Washer array sets:

• metric_fasteners (alias: m)
  • sizes: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10

demo(text = true/false);

show most of the the features

• text = true/false - add descriptive text

tSlotDemo();

demonstrate a t-slot joint with a bolt

• for a working example of t-slot consturction see this box built with t-slots

bolt(size = fastener_type[index], head = "<type>", length = N*, threadType = "type", quality = N, tolerance = R, list = true/false, center = true/false, v = true/false);

draw a predefined bolt from fastener_type array

• size = metric_fastener[index] - see the fastener_type array below
  • default: M3
• head = "button", "hex", "flatSocket"/"flatHead", "conical", "socket", "grub"/"set"
  • default: socket
• length = thread length - *in the case of a flat-head socket, the TOTAL length
  • default: 10
• threadType = "metric", "none"
  • default: metric
• quality = N - N = number of curve segments (integer)
  • default: 32
• tolerance = R - R = amount to increase/decrease all dimensions other than length
• list = true/false - list the available types
• center = true/false - center the length of the THREADS excluding head
• v = true/false - verbose echo for debugging

Examples:

  //M4 x 15mm
  bolt(size = metric_fastner[4], length = 15);

  //M3 x 6 No thread
  bolt(size = metric_fastener[3], length = 6, threadType = "none");

nut(size = fastener_type[index], threadType = thread type, quality = N, list = false, quality = N, center = false, v = false);

draw a predefined nut from fastener_type array

• size = metric_fastener[index] - see the fastener_type array below
• default: M3
• quality = N - N = number of curve segments (integer)
• default: 32
• center = true/false - center the object
• v = true/false - verbose echo for debugging

Examples:

  //M4 Nut
  nut(metric_fastener[4]);

  //M3 Nut - low resolution
  nut(metric_fastener[4], quality = 15);

washer(size =fastener_type[index] , quality = N, , tolerance = R, quality = N, center = false, v = false)

draw a predefined washer from fastener_type array

• size = metric_fastener[index] - see the fastener_type array below
  • default: M3
• quality = N - N = number of curve segments (integer)
  • default: 32
• tolerance = R - total amount to add or subtract from the washer dimensions
  • default: 0.2
• center = true/false - center the length of the THREADS excluding head
• v = true/false - verbose echo for debugging

Examples:

  //M10 washer
  washer(metric_fastener[10]);

  //M3 washer, +0.4 tolerance
  washer(metric_fastener[3], tolerance = 0.4);

boltHole(size = fastener_type[index], length = N, quality = N, tolerance = R, quality =N, 2d = true/false, center = true/false, v = true/false)

draw a predefined bolt hole from fastener_type array

• size = metric_fastener[index] + tolerance - see the fastener_type array below
  • default: M3
• length = N - N = length of bolt hole
  • default: 10
• quality = N - N = number of curve segments (integer)
  • default: 32
• tolerance = R - total amount to add or subtract from the washer dimensions
  • default: 0
• quality = N - N = number of curve segments (integer)
  • default: 24
• 2d = true/false - true for working with 2 dimensional objects
  • default: false
• center = true/false - center the length of the THREADS excluding head
• v = true/false - verbose echo for debugging

Examples:

  //M3 hole +0.3 tolerance through 3mm material
  mat = 10;
  thick = 3;
  difference() {
    cube([mat, mat, thick], center = true);
    #boltHole(size = metric_fastener[3], tolerance = 0.3, center = true);
  }

nutHole(size = fastener_type[index], tolerance = R, 2d = true/false, center = true/false, v = true/false);

draw a predefined nut for making negative spaces based on fastener_type array

• this is useful for creating spaces for captive nuts
  • size = metric_fastener[index] - see the fastener_type array below
• default: M3
  • tolerance = R - total amount to add or subtract from the nut dimensions
• default: 0.2
  • 2d = true/false - true for working with 2 dimensional objectsa
• default: false
  • center = true/false - center the object
  • v = true/false - verbose echo for debugging

Examples:

  //M2 Nut hole in 3mm material with +0.7 tolerance 
  mat = 10;
  thick = 3; 
  nutThick = 2.09; //the nut thicknes can be found using the v = true option 

  difference() {
    cube([mat, mat, thick], center = true);
    translate([0, 0, thick/2-nutThick])   
    nutHole(size = metric_fastener[2], tolerance = 0.7, v = true);
  }

  color("silver")
  translate([0, 0, thick/2 - 1.6/2])
  nut(metric_fastener[2], v = true, center = true);  

washerHole(size = fastener_type[index], tolerance = R, 2d = true/false, center = true/false, v = true/false);

draw a predefined washer for making negative spaces based on fastener_type array

• this is useful for creating spaces for captive washers
  • size = metric_fastener[index] - see the fastener_type array below
• default: M3
  • tolerance = R - total amount to add or subtract from the washer dimensions
• default: 0.2
  • quality = N - N = number of curve segments (integer)
• default: 24
  • 2d = true/false - true for working with 2 dimensional objects
• default: false
  • center = true/false - center the object
  • v = true/false - verbose echo for debugging

tSlot(size = fastener_type[index], material = N, length = N, tolerance = R, node = P, 2d = true/false, v = true/false);

draw a T-Slot for making cutouts using CNC or laser cutter

• T-Slot example: https://planiverse.wordpress.com/2014/04/07/construction-technique-tab-and-slot-with-t-nut/
  • Nodes: http://blog.ponoko.com/2010/06/17/how-to-make-snug-joints-in-acrylic/
• size = metric_fastener[index] - see the fastener_type array belowa
  • default: M3
• material = N - thickness of material the bolt goes through (see the demo)
  • default: 3
• length = N - length of bolt
  • default: 10
• tolerance = R - total amount to add or subtract from the nut dimensions
  • default: 0.25
• node = P - node size as percentage of nut thickness
  • default: 0.15
• 2d = true/false - true for working with 2 dimensional objects
  • default: false

tSlotBolt(size = fastner_type[index], length = N, head = "head type", threadType = "type", quality = N, v = true/false);

draw a bolt with a nut attached in appropriate position for a tSlot

• This is useful for visualizing the tSlot placement
  • size = metric_fastener[index] - see the fastener_type array below
• default: M3
  • length = N - length of bolt
• default: 10
  • head = "head type" - socket, hex, conical, set, flatHead (try list = true to see all types)
• default: socket
  • threadType = "thread type" - metric, none (try list = true to see all types)
• default: none
  • quality = N - N = number of curve segments (integer); if quality is set < 24 simpler forms of bolts will be used
• default: 24
  • v = true/false - verbose echo for debugging

list_types(fastener_type);

List all available sizes within a fasnter type

• array_name = predefined array containing bolt information in metric

  list_types(metric_fastener); Output is as follows: ECHO: "name: M1 - UNDEFINED" ECHO: "array_index[1]" ECHO: "=============================" ECHO: "name: M2 Bolt, Nut & Washer" ECHO: "array_index[2]" ECHO: " [1] thread diameter: 2" ECHO: " [2] hex head thickess: 2" ECHO: " [3] hex head & nut size: 4" ECHO: " [4] socket head diameter: 3.5" ECHO: " [5] socket head thickness: 2" ECHO: " [6] socket tool size: 1.5" ECHO: " [7] nut thickness,: 1.6" ECHO: " [8] pitch: 0.4" ECHO: " [9] washer thickness: 0.3" ECHO: " [10] washer diameter: 5.5" ECHO: "============================="

fastener_type array

predefined array of fastener sizes based on ISO threads

• array is zero-indexed; element[0] contains human readable descriptions
• measurements based on the following sources:
  • http://www.roymech.co.uk/Useful_Tables/Screws/Hex_Screws.htm
  • http://www.numberfactory.com/nf%20metric%20screws%20and%20bolts.htm
• elements are arranged in increasing size
• for metric sizes, M3 is indexed [3], M4 is indexed [4], etc.

array descriptors

• name - human readable name: M3 Bolt, 1/2 inch Bolt
• thread diameter - diameter of threaded bolt
• hex head thickness - overall thickness of hex head
• hex head & bolt size - distance across flats, wrench size needed
• socket head diameter - diameter of rounded socket head
• socket head thickness - overall thickness of socket head
• socket tool size - size of hex socket tool needed
• nut thickness - standard thickness
• pitch - ISO thread pitch value (not implemented yet)
• washer thickness - thickness of washer

• washer diameter - diameter of washer

  =====end documentation=====