Threads and

Thread
Cutting
Session 11

Threads
Thread

Helical ridge of uniform section formed on

inside or outside of cylinder or cone

Used for several purposes:

Fasten devices such as screws, bolts, studs,

and nuts
Provide accurate measurement, as in
micrometer
Transmit motion
Increase force
2

Thread Terminology

Thread Terminology
Screw thread

Helical ridge of uniform section formed on

inside or outside of cylinder or cone

External thread

Cut on external surface or cone

Internal thread

Produced on inside of cylinder or cone

4

Thread Terminology
Major Diameter
Commonly known as the outside diameter .
On a screw thread, the major diameter is the
largest diameter of the thread on the screw or
nut.

Thread Terminology
Minor Diameter
Called the root diameter, the minor diameter is
the smallest diameter of the thread on the
screw or nut.

Thread Terminology
Pitch diameter

Diameter of imaginary cylinder that passes

through thread at point where groove and
thread widths are equal
Equal to major diameter minus single depth
of thread
Tolerance and allowances given at pitch
diameter line

Thread Terminology
Number of Threads
The number of threads per inch.

Thread Terminology
Pitch
The distance from a given point on one thread
to a corresponding point on the very next thread

Thread Terminology
Lead
The distance a screw thread advances
in one revolution.

The lead and the pitch of a single lead

thread are the same.
On double lead threads, the lead is twice
the pitch.
A double lead thread has two start
points.

10

Thread Terminology

Single Lead

Double Lead
11

Thread Terminology
Root

Bottom surface joining sides of two

adjacent threads
External thread on minor diameter
Internal thread on major diameter

12

Thread Terminology
Crest

Top surface joining two sides of thread

External thread on major diameter
Internal thread on minor diameter

13

Thread Terminology
Flank

Thread surface that connects crest

with root

14

Thread Terminology
Depth of thread

Distance between crest and root measured

perpendicular to axis

15

Thread Terminology
Angle of thread

Included angle between sides of

thread measured in axial plane

16

Thread Terminology
Helix angle

Angle that thread makes with plane

perpendicular to thread axis

17

Thread Terminology
Right-hand thread
Helical ridge of uniform cross section onto
which nut is threaded in clockwise direction
When cut on lathe, toolbit
advanced from right to left

18

Thread Terminology
Left-hand thread
Helical ridge of uniform cross section onto
which nut is threaded in counterclockwise
direction
When cut on lathe, toolbit advanced from
left to right

19

Thread Forms

ISO Metric
American National Standard Thread
British Standard Whitworth (BSW) Thread
Unified Thread
American National Acme Thread
Square Thread
Brown & Sharpe Worm Thread
International Metric thread
20

ISO Metric Thread

60 included angle
D (Internal) = 0.6143 x pitch
Crest = .125 x pitch
Root = .250 x pitch

21

ISO Metric Thread

D (external) 0.54127x P
FC .125 x P
FR .250 x P

22

ISO metric pitch and

diameter combinations
Nominal Thread
Diameter Pitch
(mm)
(mm)
1.6

Nominal Thread
Diameter Pitch
(mm)
(mm)

0.35

20

2.5

0.4

24

0.45

30

3.5

0.5

36

3.5

0.6

42

4.5

2
2.5

4
5

0.7
48taken
Portion
of table
0.8from textbook
56

5
5.5
23

American National
Standard Thread
Divided into four main series, all having
same shape and proportions

National Coarse (NC)

National Fine (NF)
National Special (NS)
National Pipe (NPT)

24

Common Thread Forms

Coarse Thread Series UNC
The one most commonly used in the mass
production of bolts, screws, nuts and other
general fastening applications.
Less of a tendency for cross-threading
than fine threads.
It is also used on quick assembly or
disassembly, or if corrosion or slight damage
is possible.
25

Common Thread Forms

Fine Thread Series UNF
When used on external threads have greater
tensile stress area than coarse threads of the
same size.
Resists stripping out better than coarse threads
in areas where the external and mating internal
threads are subjected to loads equal to or
greater than the capacity of the screw or bolt.
Used were the length of engagement is
limited
26

Common Thread Forms

27

Common Thread Forms

Taper Pipe Series NPT
The taper of the external thread forms a joint
with the taper of the internal thread.
When used with a sealer (such as pipe dope or
teflon tape) will produce a pressure tight joint.

28

American National
Standard Thread
.6134
D .6134x P or
N
.125
F .125 x P or
N

29

British Standard
Whitworth
(BSW)
Application is Thread
same as D .6403x P or .6403
for American
National form thread

N
.1373
R .1373 x P or
N

30

Unified Thread
Developed by U.S., Britain, and Canada for
standardized thread system
Combination of British Standard Whitworth
and American National Standard Thread

31

Unified Thread
.6134
D (external thread) .6134x P or
N
.5413
D (internal thread) .5413x P or
N
.125
F (external thread) .125 x P or
N
.250
F (internal thread) .250 x P or
N
32

Acme Screw
Thread
Replacing square thread in many cases
Used for feed screws, jacks, and vises
D = minimum .500P

F=.3707P

= maximum .500P + 0.010 C=.3707P-.0052

(formaximumdepth)

33

Brown & Sharpe Worm

Thread
Used to mesh worm gears and transmit motion
between two shafts at right angles to each other
but not in same plane
D = .6866P
F = .335P
C = .310P

34

Square Thread
Being replaced by Acme thread because
of difficulty in cutting it D = .500P
Often found on vises
F = .500P
and jack screws
C = .500P + .002

35

International Metric
thread
Standardized thread used in Europe
D = 0.7035P (maximum) F = 0.125P
= 0.6855P (minimum) R = 0.0633P (maximum)
= 0.054P (minimum)

36

Thread Fits and

Classifications
Fit

Relationship between two mating parts

Determined by amount of clearance or
interference when they are assembled

Nominal size

Designation used to identify size of part

Actual size

Measured size of thread or part

Basic size: size from which tolerances are set
37

Allowance
Permissible difference between largest
external thread and smallest internal thread
Difference produces tightest fit acceptable
for any given classification
The allowance for a 1- 8 UNC Class 2A and 2B
Minimum pitch diameter of the
internal thread (2B)
= .9188 in.
Maximum pitch diameter of the
external thread (2A)
= .9168 in.
Allowance = .002 in.

38

Tolerance
Variation permitted in part size
Total tolerance is sum of plus and minus
tolerances
In Unified and National systems, tolerance is
plus on external threads and minus on internal
threads
The tolerance for a 1 in.8 UNC Class 2A thread is:
Maximum pitch diameter of the
external thread (2A)
= .9168 in.
Minimum pitch diameter of the
external thread (2A)
= .9100 in.
Tolerance = .0068 in.
39

Limits
Maximum and minimum dimensions of part

The limits for a 1 in.8 UNC Class 2A thread are:

Maximum pitch diameter of the
external thread (2A)
= .9168 in..
Minimum pitch diameter of the
external thread (2A)
= .9100 in.

40

ISO Metric Tolerances

and Allowances
ISO metric screw thread tolerance system
provides for allowances and tolerances
defined by tolerance grades, tolerance
positions, and tolerance classes
Tolerance grades specified numerically

Medium tolerance indicated by number 6,

number below 6 indicates finer tolerance and
number above 6 indicates greater tolerance
41

Tolerance Example:
An external metric thread may be
designated as follows:
Nominal
Metric Size
M
6
X

Pitch
0.75

Pitch
Diameter
Tolerance
5g

Outside
Diameter
Tolerance
6g

The thread fit between mating parts is indicated by

internal thread designation followed by the external
thread tolerance:

M 20 X 2 - 6H/5g 6g
42

Allowance Symbols
For external threads:

e indicates a large allowance

g indicates a small allowance
h indicates no allowance

For internal threads:

G indicates a small allowance

H indicates no allowance

43

Classes of Unified
Thread Fits
External threads classified as 1A, 2A, and
3A and internal threads as 1B, 2B, 3B

Classes 1A and 1B

Classes 2A and 2B

Threads for work that must be assembled

Loosest fit
Used for most commercial fasteners
Medium or free fit

Classes 3A and 3B

Used where more accurate fit and lead required

No allowance provided
44

Classes Of Thread Fits

-20 UNC 2A
In this particular case the class of fit
would be a 2. The symbol A indicates an
external thread.

-28 UNF 3B
In this particular case the class of fit
would be a 3. The symbol B indicates
an internal thread.
45

Thread Calculations
Calculate pitch, depth, minor diameter, and
width of flat for a -10 UNC thread.
D = single depth of thread
P = pitch
Minor dia Major dia - ( D D)
.75 - (.061 .061)
1
1
.628 in.
P

.100in.
tpi 10
P 1 1
Width of flat x
D .61343x P
8 8 10
.61343 x .100 .061 in.
.0125 in.
46

Thread Calculations
What is the depth, minor diameter, crest
and root for an M 6.3 X 1 thread?
P=pitch=1mm
D=0.54127x1
=0.54mm

Minor dia Major dia - ( D D)

6.3 - (.54 .54)

5.22mm
Width of root 0.25 x P Width of crest 0.125 x P
0.25 x 1
0.125x 1
0.25mm
0.125mm
47

Thread-Chasing dial
Lathe spindle and
lead screw must be
in same relative
position for each cut

Thread-chasing dial
attached to carriage for
this purpose

Dial has eight divisions

Even threads use any

division
Odd threads either
numbered
or unnumbered: not both
48

Measuring Threads
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Three-wire method
Thread ring gage
Thread plug gage
Thread snap gage
Screw thread micrometer
Optical comparator

49

Three-Wire Measuring
Three wires of equal diameter placed
in thread, two on one side and one on
other side
Standard micrometer used to measure
distance over wires (M)
Different sizes and pitches of threads
require different sizes of wires

50

The Three-Wire Method of

Measuring 60 Threads

51

Measurement with
Wires
1.5155
M D 3G
N
where M=measurementoverthewires
D=majordiameterofthethread
G=diameterofthewiresizeused
N=numberoftpi

Any of the
following
formulas can
be used to
calculate G:

1.010
or 1.010 P
N
.57735
Best - size wire
or .57735 P
N
.505
Smallest wire
or .505 P
N
Largest wire

52

Multiple Threads
May be double, triple or quadruple,
depending on number of starts around
periphery of work
Pitch: distance from point on one thread
to corresponding point on next thread
Lead: distance nut advances lengthwise
in one complete revolution

Single-start: pitch and lead equal

Double-start: lead twice the pitch
Triple-start: lead three times pitch

53

Double

Single
Triple

54

Internal Threads

Cutting threads in a hole

Operation performed on work held in

chuck or collet or mounted on faceplate
Threading tool similar to boring toolbit
except shape ground to form of thread to
be cut

55

Internal Threads

The compound rest is set at 29 to the left

for cutting right-hand internal threads.
56