Tinkercad:

Nut & Bolt Tutorial

Working With Threaded Parts

ABMS Technology & Engineering Education 2021

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In this tutorial, you will learn how to...

• Create a new file
• Convert a file to inches
• Use the ruler tool
• Name a file
• Drag shapes to the workplane
• Adjust shape dimensions
• Join shapes together
• Duplicate shapes

• Use one shape to cut away from another
• Move parts along X, Y, and Z axes
• Use the align tool
• Scale shapes proportionally
• Use the mirror tool
• Drop shapes to the workplane
• Export an STL file for 3D printing

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File Setup

• Select your class.
• Select the Nut & Bolt Activity.
• Select “Copy & Tinker”.
• Adjust the file name - replace “FirstName” and “LastName” with your name.

File Setup

• Open a new file.
• Bring out a ruler and drop it in the corner of the workplane.
• Change the units to inches.
• Rename the file using the following format: Period_Semester_School Year_First name_Last name_Nut-Bolt Example: 3_2_2021_Sarah_Brown_Nut-Bolt (meaning the 2020-2021 school year)

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Axes

Keyboard Shortcuts

To see the shortcuts better…

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Zoom-in: Ctrl + Alt + +

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Zoom-out: Ctrl + Alt + -

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*This does not work in Present mode

Nut vs Bolt

NUT BOLT

Adding a Threaded Cylinder

• Select “Featured” under “Shape Generators” from the menu on the right side of the screen.
• Bring out an “ISO metric thread” and drop it on the workplane.

Threaded Cylinder Setup

• Set the dimensions and options as seen below (in the order they are presented):

Diameter: ---------- 0.3

Pitch: ---------------- 0.06

Segments: -------- 32

Rotations: --------- 6

Tip Scale: --------- 0.25

Tip Segments: --- 2

Thread Scale: ---- 0.65

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Dimensions:

Z: 1.25

*Only change the height. The X and Y dimensions have been addressed with diameter*

Type them in

Adding a Head For The Bolt

• Change back to “Basic Shapes” from the menu on the right side of the screen.
• Bring out a “Polygon” and drop it on the workplane.
• Set the dimensions as seen below:

Dimensions:

X: 0.433

Y: 0.5

Z: 0.25

Duplicate The Polygon

• With the polygon selected, press the duplicate button in the tools in the upper-left portion of the screen (or use Ctrl + D).
• Slide one polygon out of the way to use for the nut later in the tutorial.

** The hexagon should be even on all sides when viewed from ** the top view. If they are not, you mixed up the dimensions

Align The Head & Body

• Click on the threaded cylinder to select it.
• Hold down the shift key and click on the closest polygon.
• Select the Align Tool from the upper right-hand corner of the screen (or press L).
• Click the center dot along the Y axis.
• Click the center dot along the X axis.
• Click the bottom dot along the Z axis.

Group The Head & Body

• With both parts active, select the Group Tool to make them into one part.
• Please note, if you ever need to adjust grouped parts, there is an Ungroup Tool.

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Duplicate The Bolt & Align With Nut

• With the bolt active, use the Duplicate Tool to make a copy for the next step.
• Move one bolt near the polygon from earlier.
• Change the color of the polygon to make the next steps easier.

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Raise The Nut

• Raise the nut off the workplane by 0.25 inches (¼”).
• You can use the black cone above the shape to drag it. (Red in the image because it is selected)
• You can type the dimension in - be careful to select the correct dimensions to change. It will be at 0 before moving the nut.
• You can hold down the Control key (Ctrl) and use the up and down arrows. (Ctrl + ) (Ctrl + )
• You can press “D” to drop a selected object to the workplane.

Increase Bolt Size

The bolt size needs to be increased slightly to allow the nut enough space to traverse the threads easily.

• Change the dimension along the X axis from 0.433” to 0.463”.
• Change the dimension along the Y axis from 0.50” to 0.53”.

0.53

0.463

** Change the size of the BOLT ** Not the nut

These numbers have been adjusted. Please use 0.463 and 0.53

Make The Nut

• Select the bolt.
• Turn the bolt into a hole using the Shape Options window.
• Select the nut and the bolt.
• Use the Align Tool to center the nut and bolt along the X and Y axes.
• Group the two parts to cut the threads into the nut.

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Place The Nut and Bolt

• Drop the nut to the workplane by pressing “D” on the keyboard.
• Set the nut and bolt side by side on the workplane.
• It is important that both parts are sitting on the workplane and not floating in air or angled.

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Insert A Letter

• Change from “Basic Shapes” to “Design Starters” in the menu on the right-side of the screen. Select the large A.
• Drag the first letter of your first name onto the workplane.

***Update: Select Design Starters to access letters.***

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Size The Letter

• Hold down the Shift key and click a corner of the letter. Drag it inward until the X and Y coordinates are approximately 0.2 inches.
• Dragging a shape while holding Shift will change the X, Y, and Z dimensions at the same time.
• Set the Z distance (height) to 0.02 inches.

Place The Letter

• Place the letter next to the bolt.
• Turn the letter into a hole.

Align & Cut The Letter

• Rotate the view cube to look at the bottom.
• Use the Mirror Tool to flip the letter so you can read it when looking at the bottom.
• Use the Align Tool to center the letter on the head of the bolt.
• Group the two objects together to cut the letter from the head of the bolt.

Export STL File

• Click the Export button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
• Make sure “Everything in the design.” is selected.
• Select .STL

Save The STL File

• Save the STL file into your Tech folder in your Google Drive.

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If you are on a desktop computer, you need to open Google Drive from the Start menu first and log in.

Copy Link & Add to Classroom

• Submit the STL file and a link to your design on Classroom under the appropriate assignment.

Submit The STL File & Link

• Submit the STL file and a link to your design on Classroom under the appropriate assignment.

Printing Notes

Filament: PLA

Quality: 0.20mm

Infill: 15%

Brim: Yes

Supports: No

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