General Design Dimensions of Bolts and Threads

Wow!

It sure has been a while since I've updated this blog.  But, lest you think that is because I have lost interest in the Cube or in creating tutorials for Cube owners, I want to assure you that is NOT the case.  I simply got hung up.

Writer's block?  Fear of leading you astray in what I wanted to convey?  A busier than normal schedule?

Well... a little of all of those things.  But, mostly, I think, a fear that I might lead you down the wrong path as you are learning to use the software package of your choice when it comes to exploring making threaded bolts.  There was also the fact that I try to limit the length of my tutorials to around 10 minutes and this is a reasonably big subject.

So, I have decided to break it into three blog entries.

The first will focus on the general dimensional characteristics of standard bolts and threads.  In this case, we will be looking at a 1/4"x1"x20 standard hex bolt.

The second will focus on design characteristics of the "Cutting Tool" that will be used in conjunction with a Helix to actually create the threads.

The third will be in the form of a video design tutorial, first in Moment of Inspiration and then in Invent.

I am also going to create a companion video tutorial for this blog entry.  But, it will use this blog as the script.  So, it will add little additional information.  It's simply a second available format for those that prefer to watch video tutorials.

General Design Dimensions of Bolts and Threads.

A bolt or screw is generally described by four features.  The first is the HEAD TYPE.   For the purposes of these tutorials, we will be designing a HEX BOLT having a hex shaped head that requires a wrench to tighten it.  Then there is a three element description, such as 1/4"x1"x20.

We will be using the SAE system for describing our bolts.  But, the METRIC system is similar.

The first element, 1/4", tells us the nominal diameter of  the shaft of the bolt.  The next number, 1", tells us the length of the entire bolt shaft, whether it is threaded or not.  And, the last number, 20, describes the THREAD PITCH.  This is the number of thread peaks in 1" in the case of SAE (United States) bolts.

But, this is only the beginning of describing our bolt.  Let's start at the very beginning and work our way to the complete dimensional description.

A)  The Bolt Diameter

The most critical of the dimensions is the diameter of the bolt shaft.  It tells us that this bolt will fit into a 1/4" hole.  It would be a very tight fit, to be sure.  And, usually the hole meant for a 1/4" bolt will be slightly wider than that.  But, that is the diameter of the shaft. 

1/4" Shaft Diameter

B)  Bolt Length

1/4" bolts come in many lengths.  So, it's important to know exactly how long your bolt shaft should be for your particular application.  This is the length from the bottom of the head to the opposite end of the bolt shaft.  In this case, we will be designing a 1/4" that is 1" long.

1" Bolt Length (Shaft Length)

 C)  Thread Length

Descriptions standard thread lengths can be confusing.  Each reference that I explored claimed that the thread length for 1/4" bolts under 6" was 75% of the shaft length and those over 6" were 100% of the shaft length.  BUT, I could not find a single bolt in a hardware store that followed that "rule".  So, I have simply chosen to define the thread length in my design as 90%-95% of the shaft length,  This gives us an opportunity to show how to taper the thread leaving a bit of the shaft without thread.

.90" Thread Length

D)  Thread Pitch (Threads Per Inch)

SAE bolts come in both COARSE and FINE threads.   I'm not even sure that a consumer 3D printer can effectively resolve fine thread pitch.  So, we'll settle on the standard Thread Pitch that we're most familiar with... 20 threads per inch.  This translates to a distance between thread peaks of 0.05".  This is very important to know; because, it is the basis for creating a cutting tool that we will use, in conjunction with a HELIX, to create the threads.

20 Threads Per Inch Thread Pitch

E)  Bolt End Chamfer

While, theoretically, you could create a straight bolt, it's very helpful to taper the very end of the bolt shaft to make it easier to thread the bolt into a nut.  So, we are going to CHAMFER the end of the shaft with a 45 degree slope that begins .025" from the end of the shaft.  Aside from making it easier to begin threading the bolt, it also gives the thread a more finished look.

0.025 Chamfer at the Bolt End

F)  Head Height

1" bolts are actually longer than 1" if you include the height of the head.  While it is true that head height can be thinner or fatter different applications, there is a specified standard for a 1/4" bolt and that is 5/32" or 0.163".  The head shape is actually more complex than we typically think.  The edges slope slightly and the corners are FILLETED or rounded.  There is also a raised area, also called a FILLET that we will discuss later.  The HEAD HEIGHT only includes the head itself and not the FILLET.

5/32" (0.163:) Head Height

G)  Head Width Across Flats

While  we might play a bit with the head height without too many adverse ramifications, that is NOT true of the width of the head from one flat side to the other.  If we are to claim that we have printed a standard 1/4" Hex Bolt, then those who try to use it, expect to be able to use a 7/16" wrench to install it.

This probably presents some interesting hurdles for the home 3D printer.  What we design may or may not print exactly at our expected dimensions.  It could be that reducing the width of the head to an acceptable print width will cause our threads to be too small, etc.  So, we might find that we have to adjust the head width and the shaft diameter separately!

It is possible that this is an individual printer characteristic that can only be guessed in a global tutorial such as this one.  So, we'll simply stick with the standard for now.

7/16" (0.438:) Across Flats

H)  Head Width Across Corners

While the SAE standard calls for a distance of .0.505" from corner to corner on the top of the head of a 1/4" bolt, we really don't have to worry about it too much.  It just happens if we get the distance across the flats right.  And, of course, the converse is true.  If we get the corner distance right, the flat distances will be correct.  It all depends on your preferences as you create your hex shape for extruding into the head.

0.505" Across Corners

I)  FILLET DIAMETER

The specifications for a hex bolt call for a spacer just under the head that acts like a washer so that the head itself is not absolutely flush with the surface into which it is screwed.  While it might be a bit difficult to see in this illustration, the nominal diameter of this spacer is 13/32" or 0.406".

13/32" (0.406") Head Fillet Diameter

J)  FILLET HEIGHT

The height of spacer under the head is nominally 0,0125".  But, we are, in fact, limited to the minimal layer height of our printer.  Even so, whatever difference there might be is inconsequential.  But, since we are aiming at a standard bolt size, we need to try to design the bolt as tightly as we can to the specifications.

0,0125" Fillet Height

 BOLT DIMENSION SUMMARY

These are the dimension specifications we will be using to design our Hex Bolt

Summary of Hex Bolt Dimensions

 In our next blog entry, we will explore the dimensions and characteristics of the
Cutting Tool" that we will use to remove material from the shaft to complete our Hex Bolt.

As usual, if you spot an error or think something needs some clarification, please feel free to comment!