Threads and Fasteners

Fastening What is it?

A method of connecting or joining two or more parts together, using devices or processes. Examples: Bridges, towers, buildings, transportation, piping, sports, etc.

 A mechanical fasteners used to join together two or more parts. Are formed by using a tapping tool for internal threads, a die for external threads, or a machine tool for either internal or external threads.

Threaded Fasteners

Applications
There are 3 major types of Threaded Fastener Applications, they are:
Joining Adjusting Power Transmission

Adjusting
The process of locating or modifying the position of a part. Examples: Drafting Compass uses a threaded rod to adjust the radial setting. Calipers, micrometers, hand wrenches, etc.

Power Transmission
The process of converting or transmitting the force exerted in one direction to force exerted in the same or a different direction. Screw Jacks and certain types of gears use screw threads to transmit power. Good example of this is a Car lift

THREAD TERMINOLOGY
External (male) thread Internal (female) thread
External thread Internal thread A thread cut on the outside of a cylindrical body. A thread cut on the inside of a cylindrical body.

THREAD TERMINOLOGY
Right-hand thread Left-hand thread
Thread that will assemble when turned clockwise. Thread that will assemble when turned counter-clockwise.

Turnbuckle use RH and LH thread at

each end to double displacement.

THREAD TERMINOLOGY
Crest Root Thread angle
External Thread
Thread angle

The peak edge of a thread. The bottom of the thread cut into a cylindrical body. The angle between threads faces. Internal Thread

Root Crest

Crest

Root

THREAD TERMINOLOGY
Major diameter Minor diameter
External Thread
Minor dia. Major dia.

The largest diameter on an internal or external thread. The smallest diameter on an internal or external thread. Internal Thread

Minor dia.

Major dia.

THREAD TERMINOLOGY
Thread Form
Form is the profile shape of the thread.

Example : knuckle thread form

COMPARISON OF THREAD CUTTING

External Thread Internal Thread

Minor Dia.

Major Dia.

EXTERNAL THREAD CUTTING

Tools
Threading Die

Operation

Die stock

INTERNAL THREAD CUTTING

Tools
Tap

Operation

Tap wrench

DEFINITION OF SCREW THREAD TERMS

The pitch of a thread is the distance from one point on the thread form to the corresponding point of the next thread. Pitch is measured parallel to the thread's axis or centerline. Click to see a sample appear to the right
Pitch

Notice the pitch can be measured from crest-tocrest OR

Pitch

Root-to-Root

THREAD TERMINOLOGY
Pitch Lead
External Thread The distance between crests of threads. The distance a screw will advance when turned 360o. Internal Thread

Pitch

Pitch

DEFINITION OF SCREW THREAD TERMS

The lead (pronounced "leed") is the distance that a threaded part (such as a nut) would move or travel in the horizontal direction if the screw thread was rotated 360 degrees. Threads are always assumed to be right handed threads unless marked with the initials LH (Left Hand) at the end of the thread note.

SINGLE AND MULTIPLE THREADS

Most screws have single threads. Assume single thread unless otherwise noted. Multiple threads are used where parts must screw together or apart quickly. For example, the compass adjustment bar and toothpaste tube caps have multiple threads. Notice in the picture above that:
Single Thread - The lead is equal to the pitch. Double Thread - The lead is twice the pitch Triple Thread - The lead is three times the pitch.

Single and multiple threads

A single thread has a
single ridge in the form of a helix.

A double thread has two

ridges started 180 apart.

A triple thread has three

ridges, started 120 apart.
The Studio Dog

THREAD SERIES
Screws of the same diameter are made with different pitches (number of threads per inch) for different uses. The various combinations of diameter and pitch have been grouped into screw-thread series.
Coarse-thread Series (UNC or NC) In this series the pitch for each diameter is relatively large.

Fine-thread Series (UNF or NF) In this series, the pitch for each diameter is smaller (there are more threads per inch) than in the coarse- thread series. Example automobiles

Extra-fine-thread Series (UNEF or NEF) In this series, the pitch is even smaller than in the fine-thread series. Example airplanes and gears

CLASSES OF FITS
Screw threads are also divided into screw thread classes based on their tolerances (amount of size different from exact size) and allowances (how loosely or tightly they fit their mating parts). You can get exactly the screw thread you need by choosing both a series and a class. In brief, the classes for Unified threads are:
Class 1 has a large allowance (loose fit). They are used on parts that must be put together or taken apart quickly and easily. Class 2 is the thread standards most used for general purposes, such as for bolts, screws, nuts, and similar threaded items. Class 3 has stricter standards for fit and tolerance than the others. They are used where thread size must be more exact. Simply, a tighter fitting thread.

A Or B
The letter A following the fit class number (1,2, or 3) denotes external threads only;

the letter B following the fit class number denotes internal threads only.

READING A THREAD NOTE

Thread Note .750 10 UNC 2 A Definition of Meaning 0.750 diameter (3/4) 10 threads per inch Unified National Coarse thread series Class 2 (Normal Fit) External Thread

READING A THREAD NOTE

You specify (call for) a particular screw thread by telling its diameter (nominal or major diameter), number of threads per inch, length of thread, initial letters of the series, and class of fit. Any thread you specify will be assumed to be both single and right hand unless you say otherwise. If you mean the thread to be left hand, include the letters LH after the class symbol. If you mean it to be double or triple, include "double" or "triple." Some examples using fractional sizes follow:

1 1/4-7UNC-1A Means 1 diameter, 7 threads per inch, Unified National Course threads, class 1 fit, external threads. 7/8-14UNF-2B Means 7/8 diameter, 14 threads per inch, Unified National Fine threads, class 2 fit, internal threads

THREAD REPRESENTATION
1. Detailed representation 2. Schematic representation 3. Simplified representation

DETAILED REPRESENTATION
Use slanting lines to represent crest and root. Roots and crest are drawn in sharp Vs.

External thread
Thread runout

Internal thread

Pitch

60o

SCHEMATIC REPRESENTATION
Use alternate long and short lines for representing crests and roots of the thread, respectively.

External thread

Internal thread

Pitch

Root (thick line) Crest (thin line)

BOLT : Terminology
Bolt is a threaded cylinder with a head.
Thread length

Hexagonal head bolt and nut

Length Width across flat Head thickness

Bolt measurements

BOLT : Drawing steps

Draw an end view of the head Draw a bolt head 30o Draw body of a bolt

Draw bolt axis

B/2

B/2

Length Thread Length

Starting position

Major

NUT : Drawing steps

Draw an end view of the nut

B/2

B/2

Dash lines represent a threaded hole are omitted for clarity.

 Staggered lines perpendicular to the axis of the thread represent the thread root and crests. Spacing between root and crest lines is any convenient size. Root lines are any convenient length.

Schematic thread representation

Drawing detailed representation of V threads Step 1

1. Establish the pitch and half-pitch at the major diameter.

2. Measure intervals the size of the pitch

along the major diameter from the first two marks. 3. Add crest lines.

Drawing detailed representation of V threads Step 2

1. Add the V profile for one thread, top and bottom, locating the root diameter. 2. Add construction lines for the root diameter.

Drawing detailed representation of V threads Step 3

1. Add one side of the remaining Vs (thread profile). 2. Add the other side of the Vs, completing
the thread profile.

Fasteners Quiz

Answers