SCREW

3.1 Introduction

Screw jacks commonly use various forms of threads, namely; square threads, ISO metric trapezoidal
threads and buttress thread.

3.1.1 Square Thread

As the name suggest, it has a square cross section of the thread. It is the most common form used by the
screw jack and used especially in high load applications.
3.1.1.1 Nomenclature of Square Thread

`
Figure 3.1: Nomenclature of square thread

3.1.1.2 Advantages of the Square Thread

The advantages of square threads are as follows:

(i) They have high efficiency.

(ii) They have lower friction coefficient hence less power loss in lifting the load.
(iii) Motion of the nut is uniform since there is no side thrust and radial pressure on the nut.
3.1.1

.3 Disadvantages of Square Thread

The disadvantages of square threads are as follows:

(i) The threads are usually turned on a lathe machine with a single point cutting tool hence
expensive compared to machining with multi-point cutting tools. This makes them more
difficult to manufacture.
(ii) The strength of a screw depends upon the thread thickness at the core diameter. Square
threads have less thickness at core diameter than trapezoidal threads. This reduces the load
carrying capacity of the screw.

(iii) It is not possible to compensate for wear in square threads since wear of the thread surface
becomes a serious problem in the service life of the power screw. Therefore, replacement of
the nut or the screw is required when worn out.
Applications: Square threads are used for screw-jacks and presses.

3.1.2 ISO Metric Trapezoidal Threads These is threads with trapezoidal outline profile. They are
most commonly used for lead screws. They offer high strength and ease of manufacture.

3.1.2.1 Nomenclature of ISO Metric Trapezoidal Thread

Figure 3.2: Nomenclature of ISO metric trapezoidal thread

3.1.2.2 Advantages of the Trapezoidal Thread
(i) They are cheap to manufacture as compared to square threads. Multi-point cutting
tools are employed for machining compared to single point cutting tools that are
used in machining square threads.
(ii) The trapezoidal thread has greater thickness at core diameter than that of the square
thread. Therefore, a screw with trapezoidal threads is stronger than an equivalent
screw with square threads. Such a screw has large load carrying capacity.
 (iii) The axial wear on the surface of the trapezoidal threads can be compensated by
means of a split-type of nut. The nut is cut into two parts along the diameter. As
wear progresses, the looseness is prevented by tightening the two halves of the nut
together. The split-type nut can be used only for trapezoidal threads. It is used in
lead-screw of lathe to compensate wear at periodic intervals by tightening the two
halves.

3.1.2.3 Disadvantages of Trapezoidal Threads the disadvantages of trapezoidal threads are

as follows: (i) the efficiency of trapezoidal threads am less than that of square threads. (ii)
Trapezoidal threads result in side thrust or radial pressure on the nut. The radial pressure or
bursting pressure on the nut affects its performance.
Application: Trapezoidal and acme threads are used for lead-screw and other power
transmission devices in machine tools.

3.1.3 Buttress Thread

1.3.1 Advantages of Buttress Thread

The advantages of buttress threads are as follows:

(i) It has higher efficiency compared to trapezoidal threads.

(ii) It can be economically manufactured on a thread milling machine.
(iii) The axial wear at the thread surface can be compensated by means of split-type nut.
(iv) A screw with buttress threads is stronger than equivalent screw with either square
threads or trapezoidal threads. This is because of greater thickness at the base of the
thread.
 3.1.3.2 Disadvantages of Buttress Thread

The buttress threads have one disadvantage. They can transmit power and motion only in one
direction as compared to square and ISO metric trapezoidal threads, which can transmit force and
motion in both directions.

Application: Buttress threads are used in vices, where force is applied only in one direction.

3.2 Thread Series

There are three standard thread series in the unified screw thread system;

 Fine series
 Coarse series
 Normal series

Fine thread series have more threads per axial distance and thus have a smaller pitch while coarse
thread series have a large pitch (fewer threads per axial distance). This shows that fine series
threads are stronger as compared to coarse thread series of the same dimensions (diameter)
(Fasteners, 2005).

Fine series has advantages over the other series, these are;

 They have large stress areas hence are strong in compression.

 They have a larger minor diameter which develops higher torsional and shear strength.
 They have smaller helix angle therefore permitting closer adjustment accuracy.
 3.3 Definition of Screw Thread Basic Terms

Figure 3.4: Screw Nomenclature (Bandar, 2010)

The terminologies of the screw thread are defined as follows (Gupta, 2005) :
(i) Pitch (p)

The pitch is defined as the distance measured parallel to the axis of the screw from a point on one
thread to the corresponding point on the adjacent thread.
(ii) Lead (L)

The lead is defined as the distance measured parallel to the axis of the screw that the nut will
advance in one revolution of the screw.

For a single threaded screw L=P

For a double threaded screw L = 2P

(iii) Nominal or Outside Diameter (do)

It is the largest diameter of the screw. It is also called major diameter.

(iv) Core or Minor Diameter (dc)

It is the smallest diameter of the screw thread

Dc=do-p

(v) Mean Diameter (dm)

( do+d c )
dm =
2

dm =do-0.5p
 (vi) Helix Angle(α)
It is defined as the angle made by the helix of the thread with a plane perpendicular to
the axis of the screw. The helix angle is related to the lead and the mean diameter of the
screw.
Taking one thread of the screw and unwinding, one complete turn is developed. The
thread will become the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle with the base πd m and
height being equal to the lead L

Figure 3.5: Unwound thread

This right-angled triangle gives the relationship between the helix angle, mean diameter and lead, which

can be expressed in the following form:

1
tan =
ndm

Where
α = The helix angle of the thread

The following conclusions can be drawn on the basis of the development of thread:

 The screw can be considered as an inclined plane with α as the angle of inclination
  The load W always acts in the vertical downward direction. When the load W is raised, it
moves up

the inclined plane. When the load ￀is lowered, it moves down the inclined plane.

 The load W is raised or lowered by means of an imaginary force P acting at the mean
radius of the screw. The force P multiplied by the mean radius (dm /2) gives the torque
￀ required to raise or lower the load. Force P is perpendicular to load W.
3.4 Torque Requirement - Lifting Load

The screw is considered as an inclined plane with inclination α when the load is being
raised. The following forces act at a point on this inclined plane:

Load W : It always acts in the vertical downward direction.

Normal reaction N: It acts perpendicular (normal) to the inclined plane.
Frictional force µN: Frictional force acts opposite to the motion. Since the load is moving up the
inclined plane, frictional force acts along the inclined plane in downward direction.
Effort P: The effort P acts in a direction perpendicular to the load W. It may act towards the right to
overcome the friction and raise the load.
Resolving forces horizontally,

P = µN cos α + N sin α (3.0)

Resolving forces vertically,

W = N cos α - µN sin α (3.1)

Dividing equation (3.0) by (3.1) we get:

2
P=W W ( µ cos α +sin α ) x (3.2)
¿¿
Dividing the numerator and denominator of the right hand side of equation (3.2) by ￀￀￀ ￀we get:

w ( µ+ tanα )
P= (3.3)
(1−µ tanα)

The coefficient of friction μ can be expressed as follows:

µ = tan Ɵ (3.4)

where

Ɵ = the friction angle.

Substituting (3.4) into equation (3.3),

P=
W ( tan Ɵ+ tan α ) (3.5)
¿¿
P= W tan (α+ Ɵ) (3.6)

The torque T required to raise the load is given ;

dm
T=px
2

Whence

W [tan ( α +Ɵ ) ]dm
T= (3.7)
2

3.5 Torque Requirement - Lowering Load

When the load is being lowered, the following forces act at a point on the inclined plane:
Load W: It always acts in the vertical downward direction.

Normal reaction N: It acts perpendicular (normal) to the inclined plane.

Frictional force µN: Frictional force acts opposite to the motion. Since the load is moving down the
inclined plane, frictional force acts along the inclined plane in the upward direction.

Effort P : The effort P acts in a direction perpendicular to the load W. It should act towards left to
overcome the friction and lower the load.

Resolving horizontally,

P = µN cos α –Nsin α (3.8)

Resolving vertically,

W= n cos α + µN sin α (3.9)

Dividing expression (3.8) by (3.9) we get as follows:

P=
w ( µ−cos α−sin α ) (3.10)
¿¿
Dividing the numerator and denominator of the right hand side of equation (3.10) by cos α:

w ( µ−tan α )
P= (3.11)
(1+ µ tan ❑ α )

Substituting equation (3.4) into Equation (3.11),

w ( tan Ɵ−tan α )
P= (3.12)
(1+ tanƟ−tan α )

Whence

P= w tan( Ɵ−α ¿ (3.13)

The torque T required to lower the load is given by,

dm
T=p x
2

Whence

{w tan ( Ɵ−α ) d m
T= (3.14)
2

3.6 Over Hauling and Self-Locking Screws

From equation (3.14), we know torque required to lower load is given by:

{w tan ( Ɵ−α ) d m
T=
2

Case 1: When Ɵ < α

The torque required to lower the load becomes negative. This indicates a condition that no force is
required to lower the load and the load itself will begin to turn the screw and descend down, unless
a restraining torque is applied. This condition is called overhauling of the screw.

Case 2: When Ɵ > α

 The torque required to lower the load becomes positive. Under this condition, the load will not
turn the screw and will not descend on its own unless effort p is applied. This condition is called
self- locking. The rule for self-locking screw states that: A screw will be self-locking if the coefficient
of friction

is equal to or greater than the tangent of the helix angle.

For self-locking screw.

Tan ≥ tan α

Or

l
µ ≥
πdm

Therefore, the following conclusion are made:

(i) Self-locking of the screw is not possible when the coefficient of friction (μ) is low. The
coefficient of friction between the surfaces of the screw and the nut is reduced by lubrication.
Excessive lubrication may cause the load to descend on its own.
(ii) (ii) The self-locking property of the screw is lost when the lead is large. The lead increases
with number of starts. For double-start thread, lead is twice of the pitch and for triple
threaded screw, three times of pitch. Therefore, the single threaded screw is better than
multiple threaded screws from self-locking considerations.

Self-locking condition is essential in applications like screw jack (Naik, Apr 15, 2015).

3.7 Efficiency of the Square Threaded Screw

Referring to Figure 3.6: Force diagram for lifting the load, the output consists of raising the load if the
load W moves from the lower end to the upper end of the inclined plane

Therefore,

Work output = force x distance travelled in the direction of force

Work output = w x l

The input consists of rotating the screw by means of an effort P.

Work input = force x distance travelled in the direction of force

Work input = p x ( π d m )
The efficiency η of the screw is given by,

work output
η= (3.15a)
work input

l
η = (3.15b)
pπdm

This equation can also be expressed as:

w l
η = ( ¿ (3.15c)
p πdm

And

l
Tan α =
πdm

Therefore

w
η = tan α (3.15d)
p

Substituting for p = w tan (α +Ɵ) we get;

tan❑a
η = (3.15e)
tan(α +Ɵ)

From the above equation, it is evident that the efficiency of the square threaded screw depends upon
the helix angle α and the friction angle Ɵ. The following figure shows the variation of the efficiency of
the square threaded screw against the helix angle for various values of the coefficient of friction. The
graph is applicable when the load is being lifted

Figure 3.8: Graph of efficiency against helix angle for various µ

From the graph the following observations are made (Gupta, 2005):
 i. The efficiency of the square threaded screw increase rapidly up to a helix angle of 20°.
ii. The efficiency is maximum when the helix angle is between 40 o to 45°
iii. The efficiency decreases after the maximum value is reached.
iv. The efficiency decreases rapidly when the helix angle exceeds 60°
v. V The efficiency decreases as the coefficient of friction increases.

There are two ways to increase the efficiency of square threaded screws:

i. Reduce the coefficient of friction between the screw and the nut by proper lubrication.

ii. Increase the helix angle up to 40o to 45° by using multiple start threads. However, a screw with
such a large helix angle has other disadvantages like loss of the selflocking property.

3.8 Efficiency of Self-Locking Screw

The efficiency of square threaded screw is given by (From equation 3.15e)

tan❑a
η=
tan( α +Ɵ)

For self-locking screw Ɵ ≥ a

Substituting the limiting value (Ɵ = a ) into the equation above

tanƟ
η ≤ (3.16a)
tan(Ɵ+ Ɵ)

tanƟ
η ≤ (3.16b)
tan(2 Ɵ)

And from trigonometric identities

2 tan Ɵ
Tan 2Ɵ =≤
1−tan ❑2 Ɵ

Substituting for tan 2Ɵ into the above expression,

η ≤ tanƟ ¿ ¿ (3.16c)

Simplifying

1
η ≤ (1-tan ❑2 Ɵ ¿ (3.16d)
2
From the above expression we can deduce that the efficiency of self-locking square threaded power
screw is less than 0.5 or 50%. If the efficiency is more than 50%, then the screw is said to be overhauling
(Gupta, 2005).

3.9 Coefficient of Friction, µ

It has been found that the coefficient of friction ( µ) at the thread surface depends upon the
workmanship in cutting the threads and on the type of the lubricant used. It is practically
independent of the load and dependent on rubbing velocity or materials. An average of 0.1 can be
taken for the coefficient of friction when the screw is lubricated with mineral oil (Gupta, 2005).

No Average coefficient of friction

. condition starting running
1 High grade material and workmanship and 0.14 0.10
best running conditions.
2 Average quality of materials and 0.18 0.13
workmanship and average running
conditions.
3 Poor workmanship or very slow and in 0.21 0.15
frequent motion with indifferent lubrication
or newly machined surface.
Table 3.1: Coefficient of friction under different conditions (Gupta, 2005)

NO.
Material Average coefficient of friction
Starting Running
1 Soft Steel on Cast Iron 0.17 0.12
2 Hardened Steel on Cast Iron 0.15 0.09
3 Soft Steel on Bronze 0.10 0.08
4 Hardened Steel on Bronze 0.08 0.06
Table 3.2: Coefficient of friction when thrust collars are used (Gupta, 2005)

3.10 Buckling of Columns

According to Johnson’s Formula for columns, a short member subjected to axial compressive force
shortens. Compression for the member increases with gradual increase in load. Therefore, the member
fails by buckling when the compressive stress reaches the elastic limit of the material. Buckling indicates
elastic instability. The load at which the buckling starts is called critical load, which is denoted by Wcr..
When the axial load on the column reaches W there is sudden buckling and a relatively large lateral
1
deflection occurs. An important parameter affecting the critical load is the slenderness ratio R =
k
. Mathematical expression for buckling is as shown below (Gupta, 2005), (Marshek, 2012) &
(Nisbet, 2015):

δy L eff
Wcr=Ac..δ y
4 cπ
2+( )k
2

Where

δ y = Yield stress = 385 MPa

..

C = End fixity coefficient. The screw is considered to be strut with lower end fixed and load end
free. Therefore C = 0.25

K = The radius of gyration = √ ( Al )= 0.25d = 0.007

c

l = Moment of inertia of the cross section. This is a parabolic formula that was proposed by
Johnson to determine the crippling or the critical load of straight column.

The following table shows the values of end fixity coefficient (C) for various end conditions

No End condition End fixity coefficient (C)

.
1 Both ends pinned or hinged 1

2 Both ends fixed 4

3 One end fixed and the other pinned or hinged 2

3 One end fixed and one end free 0.25

Table 3.3: Values of end fixity coefficients(c) (Nisbet,2015)