MM 322 Metrology & Instrumentation

The University of the South Pacific

School of Engineering and Physics

MM 322 – Metrology and Instrumentation

Lab 3: Measurements of Threads using the Three Wire method

Student Name: Krishant Alvin Samy (s11133030)

William Talo (s11125333)
Ashutosh Prakash (s11120226)
Alvin Prasad (s11120577)
Jone Mataitoga (s11144941)
Kennedy Batagaua (s11116078)
Lab Session Time: Tuesday 1-4 PM

AIM
This lab has the following objectives:
 To determine the angle of V-block using a sine bar Measuring tool
 To determine the external tapper angle of a tapered plug using a precision roller
 To determine the taper angle of a tapered ring gauge using precision Balls

INTRODUCTION
The three-wire method is a nearly accurate method which uses the positioning of equal diametric wires on the
grooves to measure the diameter of a screw [1]. The pitch diameter of a threaded item can’t be measured at
once besides with specialized thread micrometers. But the use of 3 wires of the identical regarded diameter,
the thread pitch can be measured with a fashionable micrometer.
Pitch diameter is the single most important dimension which can be made on a thread because it displays the
widest spectrum of potential defects in a threaded part or gage.
The pitch diameter is the diameter of an imaginary cylinder which passes thru the thread profile at such factors
as to make the widths of thread groove and thread ridge the same. The correct pitch diameter assures that the
threaded product or thread gage is inside required limits in generating interchange potential. Periodic re-
measurement of the pitch diameter is suggested to determine whether a thread gage is worn underneath
tolerance. In Order to accomplish this measurement, three wires of close tolerance and absolute similarity are
required. They are overlaid on the thread shape and the size over wires is taken [2].
Each set of wires has a matched constant which, when subtracted from this analyzing, will yield the pitch
diameter. The accurate measurement of thread pitch diameter, which can be perfect as to shape and lead, gives
sure problems which bring about a few uncertainties as to its real value. The adoption of a preferred uniform
exercise in making such measurements is, therefore, perfect if you want to lessen such uncertainty of
measurement to a minimum. The so-referred to as “3 – twine method” of measuring thread pitch diameter, as
herein mentioned, has been observed to be the maximum typically great technique when well accomplished,
and is suggested for standard use in the direct size of thread plug and thread placing plug gages [3].
This technique is greater accurate than two cord method because it guarantees alignment of micrometer faces
parallel to the thread axis. Here, three wires of precisely acknowledged diameters are used, one on one aspect
& the 2 on the alternative facet. The wires can be held in hand or hung from a stand. This method guarantees
the alignment of micrometer anvil faces parallel to the thread axis [4].

Lab Report 3 Page 1

MM 322 Metrology & Instrumentation

THEORY (Behind the Experiment)

“The accurate measurement of thread pitch diameter, which may be perfect as to form and lead, presents
certain difficulties which result in some uncertainty as to its true value. The adoption of a standard uniform
practice in making such measurements is, therefore, desirable in order to reduce such uncertainty of
measurement to a minimum. The so-called “three – wire method” of measuring thread pitch diameter, as
herein outlined, has been found to be the most generally satisfactory method when properly carried out, and
is recommended for universal use in the direct measurement of thread plug and thread setting plug gages”[5]

Figure 1.1: Three Wire Thread Measuring method [6]

One of the main aspects is the angle of the thread as this is the angle which is included in-between the side of
the thread which is to be measured. The half angle is calculated and has an abbreviation of small letter “a”.
The pitch which is the distance from a point on the screw thread to a corresponding point on the next thread
measured parallel to the axis of the thread (The Three Wire Method Of Measuring Pitch Diameter, 2016)

PROCEDURE
The group was given two bolts of different size and were informed that one of the bolts had a metric
measurement while the other had an imperial measurement. After identifying the metric and imperial sizes,
the corresponding wire sizes and value of constants were noted.
Based on the pitch of the thread, three wires of equal diameter were bound around the thread and fixed in
place. A micrometer was then used to measure the outer diameter. For calculations purposes, the diameter of
all the three wires were measured and recorded.
The experimental results for both the bolts had a similar calculation where the diameter of the bolts (D) were
found by subtracting the diameter wire(d) from the measured diameter(M) from the micrometer reading. The
pitch diameter (E) was then found by subtracting the wire diameter (d) from the bolt diameter (D).
For the theoretical results, the theoretical pitch diameter for the metric reading was found using a specified
formula whereas the theoretical pitch for the imperial reading was found by using the actual bolt diameter (D).
All results and observations were recorded and stated under results and discussions.

Lab Report 3 Page 2

MM 322 Metrology & Instrumentation

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Bolt A (Metric)

𝑀 = 12.33 𝑚𝑚 (0.485433071 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠)

Wire size= 0.040 mm Diameter of wire (d) = 1.011mm
Constant= 1.53245 mm

D= 𝑀 − 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝐷 = 12.33 − 1.011
𝐷 = 11.319 𝑚𝑚

𝐸 =𝐷−𝑑
𝐸 = 11.319 − 1.011
𝐸 = 10.308 𝑚𝑚

 Experimental
𝐸′ = 𝑀 − 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝐸′ = 12.33 − 1.53245
𝐸′ = 10.798 𝑚𝑚

 Theoretical (using a specified formula)

𝐸′ = 𝑀 + 0.86603(𝑃) − 3(𝑊∅)
𝐸 = 12.33 + 0.86603(2.5) − 3(1.011)
𝐸 = 10.813 𝑚𝑚

BOLT B (Imperial)

𝑀 = 12.98 𝑚𝑚
TPI= 12 Wire size= 0.055mm
Constant= 0.09283 Diameter of wire (d) = 1.11mm

D= 𝑀 − 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝐷 = 12.98 − 1.11
𝐷 = 11.87 𝑚𝑚

 Experimental
𝐸 =𝐷−𝑑
𝐸 = 11.87 − 1.11
𝐸 = 10.76 𝑚𝑚

𝐸′ = 𝑀 − 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝐸′ = 12.98 − 0.09283
𝐸′ = 12.89 𝑚𝑚

Lab Report 3 Page 3

MM 322 Metrology & Instrumentation

 Theoretical (using the actual major diameter)

Major Diameter (D) = 12.65mm

𝐸 =𝐷−𝑑
𝐸 = 12.65 − 1.11
𝐸 = 11.54 𝑚𝑚

𝐸′ = 𝑀 − 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝐸 ′ = 12.98 − 1. .11
𝐸′ = 12.89 𝑚𝑚

Fig 2: showing the experimental and theoretical values for the Pitch Diameter vs E’ for each Case.

DISCUSSION
The result obtained are generally for the two cases of different kinds of thread that is imperial and metric. This
was calculated using the data collected and the given table. The experiments are carried out by means of
measuring and calculating by using the given formulas; this is carried out for bolt A and bolt B. For the cases
of Bolt A and Bolt B, we have taken into account for both the theoretical and experimental calculations for
every bolt.
For Bolt A, since the bolt had a metric reading, the standard metric calculations were used to which the values
of the metric standard Pitch Diameter is E= 10.76mm. When this value is compared to E’ which is also another
method of determining the Pitch Diameter, the value is E’=10.813 𝑚𝑚.In order to show that the measured
diameter is correct, both the values have to be same or equal. However, as in the Lab results above, the
calculations shows that, there could be some errors which might give the results a difference of 0.053mm.

In the case of bolt B the imperial trendy pitch diameter is 𝐸 = 11.54 𝑚m with the value of E’=12.89 𝑚𝑚.
As compared to Bolt A for Metric Reading, it can be seen that there is a huge difference of 1.35mm. This
difference could be due to the difference in the size of the wire used. However, this experiment can be
improved or the error be minimized once this is considered and the right wire sizes are being used.

Lab Report 3 Page 4

MM 322 Metrology & Instrumentation

CONCLUSION
To conclude, after carrying out this experiment it can be concluded that the right and proper measurement of
the thread of fasteners especially in mechanical engineering is very vital. This lab was carried out successfully
and all the required measurements were accordingly as well as all the calculations. This experiment also
noticed some errors which occur during the calculation of the pitch diameter and this errors were compensated
by using constants and carrying out calculations. The three wire method displays the most accurate and correct
method of calculating the pitch diameter of threads in fasteners. Finally, the pitch diameter is a very
fundamental parameter in engineering and this lab has demonstrated and highlighted the correct procedure for
the measurement of this parameter.

REFERENCE

[1] Chris Wood, "Using the Three Wire Methods to measure Threads," Little Machine Shop, 2011. [Online].
Available: https://littlemachineshop.com/images/gallery/instructions/ThreeWireMethod.pdf. [Accessed 7
August 2019].

[2] V. Keuren, "The Measurement of Threads by Three Wire Method," Productivity Quality Inc, 2010.
[Online]. Available:
https://www.gagesite.com/documents/Metrology%20Toolbox/The%20Measurement%20of%20Threads%20
By%20The%20Three%20Wire%20Method.pdf. [Accessed 7 August 2019].

[3] Precision Gage Solutions, "The Three Wire Method Of Measuring Pitch Diameter," Thread Check Inc.,
2014. [Online]. Available: https://www.threadcheck.com/the-three-wire-method-of-measuring-pitch-
diameter/technicalinfo/.[Accessed 7 August 2019].

[4] Vashind, "Derive an Expression for the Three Wire Method," Ques10, 2014. [Online]. Available:
https://www.ques10.com/p/23135/derive-an-expression-for-three-wire-methods-in-scr/. [Accessed 7 August
2019].

[5] Using the three wire method to measure threads. (2011). Retrieved from LittleMachineShop.com:
https://littlemachineshop.com/instructions/ThreeWireMethod.pdf

[6] The Three Wire Method Of Measuring Pitch Diameter. (2016, July 3). Retrieved from Thread Check INC:
https://www.threadcheck.com/the-three-wire-method-of-measuring-pitch-diameter/technicalinfo/

Lab Report 3 Page 5

MM 322 Metrology & Instrumentation

Index

Lab Report 3 Page 6

MM 322 Metrology & Instrumentation

Lab Report 3 Page 7