While measuring external

threads: Thread Profile Control

Published on February 2, 2016
LikeWhile measuring ext ernal threads: Thread Profile Cont rol

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Ernesto Guillamo Altozano

FollowErnesto Guillamo Altozano
3D+ Messtechniker mit Calypso, Pcdmis, CmmOs & Metrolog |
Erstellen&Optimierung CNC Programme

The threaded surface is a helical surface generated by a determine

profile, whose plane is contains the axis and describes a cylindrical
helical path around this axis; there are two types of threads: External
(Screws) & Internal (Nuts)

1.- Thread defining elements:

 Outside or nominal diameter. (OD=DN=D)
Inner or background diameter. (ID=DB=D1)
Pitch diameter or medium. (Pd=DM=D2)
Flank angle. (a)
Pitch. (P)

Unified Screw Thread: A thread form used by the United

Kingdom, Canada, and the United States to obtain screw thread
interchangeability among these three nations. It has 60 thread angle and
dimensions are stated in inch units.
UN form screw threads: The UN thread is intended for general purpose
fastening operations.
UNC (Unified National Coarse): Most commonly used type
for general engineering applications. This thread form is used in
materials with low tensile strength which makes threads more resistance
against stripping (internal threads) .UNC give possibility for quick
assembly.
UNF (Unified National Fine): External threads of this Fine
Series have greater tensile stress area than comparable sizes of the
Coarse series. The Fine series is suitable when the resistance to stripping
of both external and mating internal threads equals or exceeds the tensile
load carrying capacity of the externally threaded member. It is also used
where the length of engagement is short, where a smaller lead angle is
desired, where the wall thickness demands a fine pitch, or where finer
adjustment is needed.
UNEF (Unified National Extra Fine): Used when finer
pitches than UNF are needed (Ex: Short engagement length).

Photo credits: EMUGE FRANKEN Gewinde nach auslndishen Normen

Poster

2. - Control of external threads:

2.1- Outside diameter measurement (nominal) with
analog or digital micrometer screw.

2.2. Angle Measurement

2.2.1. Method of the two rods. 2.2.2. Profile Projector.
2.3. Thread pitch.

The difficulty for the pitch measurement in the profile projector is the
poorly defined thread flanks.
To fix the projector reticle It is flush with the baseline of bevelled
blades, better defined.

2.4. Measuring pitch diameter

2.5. -Measurement of the pitch diameter.
2.5.1. -Analog Contacts cone & V-shaped Em
2.5.2. -Digital Contacts cone& V-shaped Em

2.5.3. -Three-Wire Method to Measure Thread Profiles

The pitch
diameter (Pd) of a threaded rod can be measured directly with
specialized thread micrometers.
By using three wires of the same known diameter, the thread pitch can
be measured with a standard micrometer.
These formulas are only useful with 60 single-start threads.
Lets start by saying that is a little tricky handling three wires together
with a micrometer all at the same time.
A micrometer support can be very helpful. There are several tricks of the
trade that can make it easier, but learning to make the measurement
without accessories can ultimately be faster and more accurate.

Heres the process for taking a measurement. M.

2.5.3.1.- Insert the micrometer into the micrometer support to easily
handle the ror + wires+ micrometer srew within your hands.
2.5.3.2.- Based on the pitch diameter Pd of the thread you are
measuring, use the table below to select the proper set of thread
measuring wires.
2.5.3.3.- Adjust your micrometer to about 0.010" larger than you
expected measurement is to be.
2.5.3.4.- Put two wires in adjacent Vs on the bottom of the part. Use the
fixed anvil of the micrometer to hold them in place.
2.5.3.5.- Now on the top of the part, slip the third wire into a V treaded
profile under the movable anvil of the micrometer.
2.5.3.6.- Take your micrometer measurement reading.

This process sounds to be harder than it is. Your reading will be more
accurate after your second try.
Some people use grease on the threads, rubber bands or modeling clay
over the ends of the wires.
Any of these tricks will take longer than the method above, and they all
can affect the accuracy of the measurement.

Calculating the Pitch Diameter

Now that you have your measurement, its a simple process to find the
pitch diameter Pd.
Find the Constant for the thread pitch you are measuring from the tabela
below.
Subtract the constant from the measured value.
Heres the formula: Pd = M k
Pd is the pitch diameter you are trying to find
M is the measurement you took
Constant is the Constant value from the chart below.

For instance: 13 " UNS 4 2A calculation with 3.632 mm

calibrated wires and a brand new eM reading 345,915 mm.

Pd = M k; Pd = 345,915 - 5,397 = 340,518 or

Pd = 136187 02125 = 134062
Pd = 340,518 mm or 134062

A 13 UNS 4 2A class thread should be between 1341622

and 1340722, but it is not surprising that threaded rod is somewhat
small. This can take into account the bath protection if is planned for
outside.
Theads per Inch, Wire Sizes, k
48 0,4572 0,91338
44 0,4572 0,87173
40 0,4572 0,82169
36 0,4572 0,76048
32 0,6096 1,14148
28 0,6096 1,04318
27 0,6096 1,01397
24 0,7366 1,29337
20 0,7366 1,10998
18 0,8128 1,21641
16 1,0160 1,67310
14 1,0160 1,47676
13 1,1430 1,73685
12 1,3970 2,35788
11,5 1,3970 2,27813
11 1,3970 2,19126
10 1,3970 1,99136
09 1,6002 2,35636
08 1,8288 2,73685
7,5 2,0574 3,23926
07 2,0574 3,02971
06 2,3368 3,34416
5,5 2,7432 4,23011
05 3,0480 4,74447
4,5 3,2258 4,78917
04 3,6322 5,39725
 3,5 4,6990 7,81202
03 4,6990 6,76453

How Does It Work?

In theory, you are measuring with wires of a known diameter that

contact the threaded part on the pitch line. As with most things in life,
actual practice involves compromises.

There are three formulas for calculating appropriate wire sizes:

Smallest wire diameter = 0.56 Pitch; Largest
wire diameter = 0.90 Pitch; Diameter for pitch-
line contact = 0.57735 Pitch
If you do the math, you will find that all the suggested wires in the table
above are between the smallest and largest values.
The thread pitch for an American National Standard Unified (ASME
B1.1 2003) 60 thread is: Pd = M + 0.86603P 3d
Notice that if we know the pitch diameter (Pd) and the wire diameter
(d), then for any particular pitch, the formula reduces to:
Pd = M k, where k is a constant for a particular pitch and wire size
combination. These are the constants given in the table above.
Take a look at the first formula for a moment. The value 0.86603 is a
constant because we are only considering 60 threads. It encapsulates
some trigonometry involving the thread angle.

The 3d term is the interesting one. It highlights the fact that your thread
measuring calibrated wires must be the correct size. Any error in the
wires is magnified three times. There is more to consider than wire
diameter. Bent, distorted, or dirty wires will also affect the measurement.
(Rubber bands, anyone?)

Metric Threads under B1.13M 2005 Standard are also

60 threads so these formulas work just as well with them.

The following tabela shows the wire sizes and constants for Metric
Threads.

Pitch, Wire Size, k

0,8 0,6096 1,1360
01 0,7366 1,3438
1,25 0,8128 1,3559
1,5 1,0160 1,5325
1,75 1,0160 1,6969
02 1,1430 1,7490
2,5 1,6002 2,6355
03 1,8288 2,8883
3,5 2,0574 3,1411
04 2,3368 3,5463
4,5 2,7432 4,3325
05 3,0480 4,8139
5,5 3,2258 4,9142
06 3,6322 5,7004
08 4,6990 7,1688
Note that these constants assume you are working in millimeters, not
inches.

2.5. - Direct measurement of the pitch diameter.

2.5.1. - 3D CMM 2.5.1.2.- 3 wires method 2.5.1.3.-
Profile Projector

To
measure pitch diameter flush the reticle stroke "A" and moving the table
in the direction of the arrow to the mark with the line "B" blade.
 2.6. Complete
control in the multi-thread measuring instrument