Step1: Download the Files
Download the helicoil .xml files from my github page located here.
https://github.com/LoadsofHope/Custom-Heilcoil-Threads-for-Fusion-360
There is both an imperial as well as metric file. These files contain only the most commonly used thread sizes. They can be modified to add more sizes as well as tweak dimensions, in case your threads are printing too loose or too tight.
Step2: Install the Files
You need to drop these files into your computers fusion folder. This has a very long and convoluted file pathway both for PC and MAC. Instructions located here.
Simply drop the files into the folder and your done. The next time you open fusion 360 you should see the helicoil threads, in the drop down menu, when using the thread tool. Make sure to always check the model threads option when creating the thread.
Note periodically you will have to add the thread file back into your fusion folder. Fusion will delete your custom thread files every 2-3 months. So always keep a spare copy.
Step3: Modifying or Adding Threads
If you need to modify the threads because they are too loose or you need to create a thread profile for a size not already listed you can do this using vscode web. Located here:
Modifying Thread Size: The three important dimensions for each thread are the Pitch Diameter, Minor Diameter, and Major Diameter. The existing thread file already has these numbers oversized by 5%. If your threads are to tight you should increase each of these numbers by an additional 5%. If your threads are to loose you should decrease each number by 5%. Once modified simply save this into your fusion thread folder just like we did in step 2.
Create New Thread Size: I created thread profiles for the most common sizes that i use. If you need a size that is not already created you can add more sizes to the file using the same vscode program. Note you need to make sure you maintain the same file structure/hierarchy, when copying to create a new thread size, otherwise fusion wont be able to read the file.
Start: The file should always start with:
<ThreadType>
<Name>
<CustomName>
<Unit>
<Angle>
<SortOrder>
Middle: Bellow <SortOrder> should be the following: This section will be repeated until the end. This is also the section you would copy and paste if you wanted to create a new thread size.
<ThreadSize>
<Size>
<Designation>
<ThreadDesignation>
<CTD>
<TPI>
<Thread>
<Gender>
<Class>
<MajorDia>
<PitchDia>
<MinorDia>
<TapDrill>
</Thread>
</Designation>
</ThreadSize>
End: The last thread size should have </ThreadType> added on to the very end.
</ThreadSize>
<ThreadSize>
<Size>
<Designation>
<ThreadDesignation>
<CTD>
<TPI>
<Thread>
<Gender>
<Class>
<MajorDia>
<PitchDia>
<MinorDia>
<TapDrill>
</Thread>
</Designation>
</ThreadSize>
</ThreadType>
A good starting point, when creating new threads, for what the Pitch, Minor, and Major diameter should be can be found on my github page.
https://github.com/LoadsofHope/Custom-Heilcoil-Threads-for-Fusion-360
File name is (Helicoil Tap Sizes.jpg) and (Imperial Helicoil Tap Sizes.jpg). I always increase each of these values by 5%, but you should test to find what works best for your machine.
Note: Unfortunately the minor diameter is not listed in the reference document for the metric helicoil tap sizes. In general i have found the minor diameter should be the major diameter multiplied by .85 Always test before printing final parts.