Helical is a library for Cadova 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

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

.package(url: "https://github.com/tomasf/Helical.git", from: "0.4.1")

Then, import Helical where it's needed:

import Helical

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: 20, unthreadedLength: 5)

This generates a standard DIN 931 bolt, as expected.

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: 20
)

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,
 unthreadedLength: 3,
 unthreadedDiameter: 5,
 headShape: .countersunk(angle: 80°, topDiameter: 10, boltDiameter: 5),
 socket: .slotted(length: 10, width: 1, depth: 1.4)
)

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

Box(13)
 .aligned(at: .centerXY)
 .subtracting {
 customBolt.clearanceHole(recessedHead: true)
 }

As is making a threaded hole for a particular thread:

Box(13)
 .aligned(at: .centerXY)
 .subtracting {
 ThreadedHole(thread: thread, depth: 13)
 }

Helical uses Cadova's tolerance environment setting to increase the diameter of holes and decrease the diameter of bolts. Clearance holes can create overhang-safe shapes. Specify a circular overhang method (circularOverhangMethod) to enable this.

.withCircularOverhangMethod(.bridge)
.withTolerance(0.5)

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