Measurements of Machine Elements
Screw Thread Measurements
Contents
1. Importance of screw thread in industry
2. Screw thread terminology
3. Measurement of major diameter
4. Measurement of minor diameter
5. Measurement of effective diameter
6. Types of pitch error
7. Measurement of pitch error
Screw thread in industry
Fasteners Power transmission
Types of Screw threads
Screw thread terminology
Measurement of major diameter
▪ The simplest way of measuring a major diameter is
to measure it using a screw thread micrometer.
▪ Only light pressure must be used; any excess
application of pressure may result in an error in the
measurement.
▪ for a more precise measurement, it is recommended
to use a bench micrometer.
▪ The machine is essentially used as a comparator.
Measurement of minor diameter
▪ The best way of measuring a minor diameter is to
measure it using a floating carriage micrometer
▪ Minor diameter is measured by a comparative
process.
▪ Small V-pieces that make contact at the root of the
threads are used. The selection of V-pieces should
be such that the included angle of a V-piece is less
than the angle of the thread.
Measurement of effective diameter (screw thread micrometer)
Measurement of effective diameter (One wire method)
• This method is used if a standard gauge of the same dimension
as the theoretical value of dimension over wire is available.
• The micrometer anvils are set over the standard gauge and the
dimension is noted down.
• The screw to be inspected is held and the micrometer anvils are
set over the wire.
• Micrometer readings are taken at two or three different
locations and the average value is calculated.
• This value is compared with the value obtained with the
standard gauge. The resulting difference is a reflection of error
in the effective diameter of the screw.
Measurement of effective diameter (Two wire method)
Measurement of effective diameter (Two wire method)
• The best-size wire, of diameter d, makes contact
with the thread flank along the pitch line.
Measurement of effective diameter: Solved example
Measurement of effective diameter (Three wire method)
• Since three wires are used, the micrometer can be positioned
more accurately to measure M, the distance over the wires.
Measurement of effective diameter (Three wire method)
Measurement of pitch (Thread pitch gauge)
Types of pitch error: How is thread made?
• A screw thread is generated by a single-point cutting tool, with the two basic parameters (angular
velocity of the workpiece and linear velocity of the tool).
• The tool should advance exactly by an amount equal to the pitch for one complete rotation of the
workpiece.
• Required pitch = 2 mm
• workpiece makes 1 revolution
• Tool must move forward = 2 mm.
Types of pitch error
Progressive pitch error: this error occurs whenever the tool–work velocity
ratio is incorrect but constant.
• Generally, it is caused by the pitch error in the lead screw of the machine
• The cumulative pitch error increases linearly along the thread numbers.
Periodic pitch error: This error occurs when the tool–work velocity ratio
is not constant.
• The contributing factors are pitch errors in the gear trains and/or axial
movement of the lead screw due to worn out thrust bearings.
Drunken threads: the thread helix will develop into a curve instead of a
straight line.
Measurement of pitch error
• A round-nosed stylus contacts the thread at
approximately the pitch line.
• The screw, which is mounted between the centers
on a slide, is given a traverse motion in a direction
• The stylus ride over the threads. A micrometer
connected to the slide enables measurement of the
pitch.