Helical

Helical is a library for SwiftSCAD that simplifies the creation of threaded components and related parts. It supports widely-used metric threads, bolts, and nuts, as well as the ability to customize these components to fit specific requirements.

Bolts demo
Nuts and washers demo

Installation

Integrate Helical into your project with the Swift Package Manager by adding it as a dependency in your Package.swift file:

let package = Package(
    name: "My3DGadget",
    platforms: [.macOS(.v14)], // Needed on macOS
    dependencies: [
        .package(url: "https://github.com/tomasf/SwiftSCAD.git", branch: "main"),
        .package(url: "https://github.com/tomasf/Helical.git", branch: "main")
    ],
    targets: [
        .executableTarget(name: "My3DGadget", dependencies: [
            "SwiftSCAD",
            "Helical"
        ])
    ]
)

Then, import Helical where it's needed:

import Helical

Usage

Standard Components

Helical simplifies the process of creating threaded shapes, making it easier to incorporate threaded holes into your models. It also provides a selection of standard bolts, nuts, and corresponding holes. Creating a typical M8x30 hex head bolt is simple:

Bolt.hexHead(.m8, length: 30, shankLength: 8)

This generates a standard DIN 931 bolt, exactly as anticipated.

Customizing Components

Beyond the standard offerings, Helical allows for modifications to fit unique requirements:

Bolt.hexHead(.isoMetric(.m8, pitch: 0.75), headWidth: 15, headHeight: 6.5, length: 30)

Or fully customize parts to your specific needs:

let thread = ScrewThread(
    handedness: .left,
    starts: 2,
    pitch: 1.5,
    majorDiameter: 6.2,
    minorDiameter: 5.3,
    form: .trapezoidal(angle: 90°, crestWidth: 0.25)
)
let customBolt = Bolt(
    thread: thread,
    length: 15,
    shankLength: 3,
    shankDiameter: 5,
    headShape: .countersunk(angle: 80°, topDiameter: 10, boltDiameter: 5),
    socket: .slotted(length: 10, width: 1, depth: 1.4)
)

Holes

Creating a matching countersunk clearance hole for a bolt is straightforward:

Box([20, 20, 10], center: .xy)
    .subtracting {
        customBolt.clearanceHole(recessedHead: true)
    }

As is making a threaded hole for a particular thread:

Box([20, 20, 10], center: .xy)
    .subtracting {
        ThreadedHole(thread: thread, depth: 10, unthreadedDepth: 2)
    }

Contributing

We welcome contributions. Feel free to open issues for feedback or suggestions and submit pull requests for improvements to the codebase.