Machine Design 1: BASAEN, RV

♦ Common Thread Forms for Power Screws

8B. POWER SCREWS 1. Seller’s Square Thread

P
Power Screw – a mechanical device used to convert
angular motion to linear motion and, usually, to transmit
power. h = (7/16)P
h
j nscrew
W/2 W/2 2. Trapezoidal Thread

P φ = 14.5º for ACME threads

φ = 15º for Trapezoidal
Vload = L(nscrew) φ Metric threads
vload
h = (1/2)P
P λ

3. Buttress Thread

W/2 Dr W/2 P
Dm φ = 0 to 7o
Do 45º
Dc
h = (0.663)P
Tr

♦ Incline plane diagram of a loaded screw

Rx
+
Ry W
Dm/2
Q Q
F L
where R
W = axial load of screw λ
β
P = pitch of screw
L = lead λ N
nscrew = angular speed of screw β+λ
vload = linear velocity of the load attached to the πDm
nut
λ = lead angle
Dr = root diameter [𝛴𝛴𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 = 0]: 𝑄𝑄 = 𝑅𝑅 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠( 𝛽𝛽 + 𝜆𝜆):  eqn 1
Do = major diameter �𝛴𝛴𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 = 0�: 𝑊𝑊 = 𝑅𝑅 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐( 𝛽𝛽 + 𝜆𝜆) ∶ eqn 2 
Dm = mean diameter or pitch diameter [𝛴𝛴𝛴𝛴 = 0]: 𝑇𝑇𝑟𝑟 = 𝑄𝑄 �
𝐷𝐷𝑚𝑚
� : eqn 3 
Dc = equivalent friction diameter of collar 2

h = tooth depth
♦ Torque Needed to Raise the Load
𝑫𝑫𝒐𝒐 + 𝑫𝑫𝒓𝒓
𝑫𝑫𝒎𝒎 = = 𝑫𝑫𝒐𝒐 − 𝒉𝒉 = 𝑫𝑫𝒓𝒓 + 𝒉𝒉 For a square thread form only:
𝟐𝟐
From eqns. 1, 2 and 3:
♦ Single and Multiple Threads
𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝑚𝑚
𝑇𝑇𝑟𝑟 = 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡( 𝛽𝛽 + 𝜆𝜆) 
2
or
𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝑚𝑚 𝑓𝑓 + 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝜆𝜆
𝑇𝑇𝑟𝑟 = � �: 𝑓𝑓 = 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡β
2 1 − 𝑓𝑓 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝜆𝜆

L=P L = 2P L = 3P For any thread form:

(a) Single-, (b) double-, and (c) triple threaded Above formula is affected by the
pressure angle φ of the screw:
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 Machine Design 1: BASAEN, RV

𝑾𝑾𝑫𝑫𝒎𝒎 𝒇𝒇 + 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 𝝓𝝓 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 𝝀𝝀 ♦ Efficiency of Screw, 𝒆𝒆

𝑻𝑻𝒓𝒓 = � � 
𝟐𝟐 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 𝝓𝝓 − 𝒇𝒇 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 𝝀𝝀 For a square thread form
𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 𝝀𝝀
𝒆𝒆 =
where 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕( 𝜷𝜷 + 𝝀𝝀)
φ = pressure angle of thread For any thread form
φ = 0º for both square and buttress thread 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 𝝀𝝀 (𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 𝝓𝝓 − 𝒇𝒇 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 𝝀𝝀)
forms (7o is sometimes used for buttress 𝒆𝒆 =
(𝒇𝒇 + 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 𝝓𝝓 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 𝝀𝝀)
threads)
φ = 14.5º for Acme threads
φ = 15º for trapezoidal metric threads where
f = coefficient of thread friction: β = thread friction angle
f = tanβ λ = lead angle
λ = lead angle: φ = pressure angle
𝐿𝐿
𝜆𝜆 = 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡−1 � �
𝜋𝜋𝐷𝐷𝑚𝑚 ♦ Efficiency of Screw and Collar
𝑻𝑻𝟎𝟎
𝒆𝒆𝒌𝒌 = 𝒙𝒙 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏%
♦ Torque Needed to Overcome Collar Friction, Tc 𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻
where
𝑊𝑊 [∑𝑀𝑀+ = 0] 𝑾𝑾𝑫𝑫𝒎𝒎
𝐷𝐷𝑐𝑐 𝑻𝑻𝒐𝒐 = 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 𝝀𝝀
𝑇𝑇𝑐𝑐 = 𝐹𝐹𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝟐𝟐
2
where ♦ Power Input of Screw
𝑇𝑇𝑐𝑐 Ffc = friction force
at the collar 𝑷𝑷𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊 = 𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻 (𝒏𝒏𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 )
𝐹𝐹𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 𝑓𝑓𝑐𝑐 𝑁𝑁𝑐𝑐
♦ Power Output of Screw
But 𝑁𝑁𝑐𝑐 = 𝑊𝑊
𝑁𝑁𝑐𝑐
Or, 𝑷𝑷𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊 = 𝑾𝑾(𝑽𝑽𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍 )
𝐹𝐹𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 𝑓𝑓𝑐𝑐 𝑊𝑊𝑐𝑐
where, ♦ Torque Required to Lower the Load
𝑓𝑓𝑐𝑐 = coefficient of the For a square thread form:
𝐷𝐷𝑐𝑐 𝐹𝐹𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 friction at the 𝑾𝑾𝑫𝑫𝒎𝒎
𝑇𝑇𝑐𝑐 collar 𝑻𝑻𝑳𝑳 = 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕( 𝜷𝜷 − 𝝀𝝀) 
𝟐𝟐
Nc = normal force on or,
the collar 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝑚𝑚 𝑓𝑓 − 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝜆𝜆
Dc = equivalent 𝑇𝑇𝐿𝐿 = � �
2 1 + 𝑓𝑓 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝜆𝜆
fiction
diameter of the For any thread form:
collar 𝑾𝑾𝑫𝑫𝒎𝒎 𝒇𝒇 − 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 𝝓𝝓 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 𝝀𝝀
𝑻𝑻𝑳𝑳 = � � 
Hence, 𝟐𝟐 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 𝝓𝝓 + 𝒇𝒇 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 𝝀𝝀
𝐷𝐷𝑐𝑐 Note:
𝑇𝑇𝑐𝑐 = 𝑓𝑓𝑐𝑐 (𝑊𝑊) � � If TL is positive, the screw is self-locking.
2
Or,
𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝒄𝒄 - If 𝑻𝑻𝒍𝒍 (−), it is not a self-locking screw, no effort
𝑻𝑻𝒄𝒄 = � � 𝒇𝒇𝒄𝒄 is necessary to lower the load.
𝟐𝟐
- If 𝑻𝑻𝒍𝒍 (+), screw is self-locking; its efficiency is
Dc = equivalent friction diameter generally less than 50%.
at the collar
fc = coefficient of friction at the Combined Stresses in Power Screws
collar
Normal Stress in the Screw
♦ Total Torque Input, 𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻 𝑾𝑾
𝑺𝑺 = 𝝅𝝅 𝟐𝟐
𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻 = 𝑻𝑻𝒓𝒓 + 𝑻𝑻𝒄𝒄
𝟒𝟒 𝑫𝑫𝒓𝒓

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Shear Stress in the Screw Example 1:

𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝑻𝑻𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 A load of 70 kN is to be lifted by a 36 mm diameter
𝑺𝑺𝒔𝒔 =
𝝅𝝅𝑫𝑫𝒓𝒓 𝟑𝟑 single-threaded, square-form power screw having a pitch
of 6 mm. The screw rotates at 48 rpm and is supported at
Note: the collar with a mean diameter of 50 mm. The coefficients
Another shear stress due to axial load 𝑊𝑊 is, of friction are 0.13 and 0.10 at the thread and collar,
𝑾𝑾 respectively. Determine the following:
𝑺𝑺𝒔𝒔 ′ = a. Linear velocity of the load in m/min
𝝅𝝅𝑫𝑫𝒓𝒓 𝒕𝒕 𝑵𝑵𝒕𝒕
b. Power required to drive the screw.
where, c. Efficiency of the screw
Nt = number of threads of engagement d. Combined efficiency of screw and collar.
between the screw and nut
t = thickness of the thread.
Solution:
But this shear stress can be made
negligible by increasing the length of Power screw:
engagement. Do = 36mm
P = 6mm 70 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾
𝑓𝑓 = 0.13
For Ductile Material, use the Maximum Shear Stress Single-thread:
Equation ∴ 𝐿𝐿 = 𝑃𝑃
Square-form
𝑺𝑺 𝟐𝟐 ∴ 𝜙𝜙 = 0𝑜𝑜
𝑺𝑺𝒔𝒔 𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎 = �𝑺𝑺𝒔𝒔 𝟐𝟐 + � � = 𝑺𝑺𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔
𝟐𝟐 𝑛𝑛𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 = 48 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑓𝑓𝑐𝑐 = 0.10

For a Brittle Material, use the Maximum Normal

Stress Equation 𝐷𝐷𝑐𝑐 = 50𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
𝟐𝟐
𝑺𝑺 𝑺𝑺
𝑺𝑺 𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎 = + �𝑺𝑺𝒔𝒔 𝟐𝟐 + � � = 𝑺𝑺𝒅𝒅
𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐

where
𝑆𝑆 = normal stress in the screw
𝑆𝑆𝑠𝑠 = shear stress in the screw
𝑆𝑆𝑑𝑑 = normal design stress
𝑆𝑆𝑠𝑠 𝑑𝑑 = shear design stress

Joyce worm-gear screw

jack:
- Compact assembly
of power screw and
worm-gear set that is
designed as a jack for
lifting loads. The
gears rotate, but the
screw moves axially
while lifting, or
lowering the load.

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Note:
From Disk Friction in Statics:

re,
equivalent friction d Dc D
radius

Friction surface

For New Surfaces, Uniform Pressure Method is more

recommended. The equivalent friction radius 𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑒 is given
by:
𝟏𝟏 𝑫𝑫𝟑𝟑 − 𝒅𝒅𝟑𝟑
𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒆 = � 𝟐𝟐 �
𝟑𝟑 𝑫𝑫 − 𝒅𝒅𝟐𝟐

For Old or Worn Surfaces, the Uniform Wear Method

is more applicable. The equivalent friction radius 𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑒 is
given by:
𝟏𝟏
𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒆 = [𝑫𝑫 + 𝒅𝒅]
𝟒𝟒

The friction diameter at the collar is then

𝑫𝑫𝒄𝒄 = 𝟐𝟐𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒆

Solution:

Example 2:
A double-threaded, trapezoidal metric-form screw has
a pitch of 4mm and a mean diameter of 18mm. It is used as
a translation screw in conjunction with a collar having an
outside diameter of 37mm and an inside diameter of 21mm.
a) Find the required torque in N-m to raise a load of
400 kg if the coefficient of friction is 0.3 for both
the threads and the collar.
b) Solve part a) if the thread form is ACME.

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Solution:

Important dimensions of 2 3/4" standard square-thread

screw (From Table 8.1 DME Faires)

Example 3:
A sluice gate is to be raised and lowered by means
of two 2 ¾” standard single-threaded, square-form power
screws at the rate of 2 fpm. Consider a coefficient of thread
friction of 0.125 and a collar friction of 0.03, due to the
presence of a roller thrust bearing at each of the collars.
The load is 60 tons. The coefficients of friction are 0.15 at
the thread & 0.03 at the thrust bearing of each collar,
which is supported by a 4 inches diameter roller bearing.
Determine the following:
a) RPM of each screw
b) Combined efficiency of screw and collar
c) Hp of motor required to operate the screws,
considering a mechanical efficiency of 75% for
the speed reducing equipment.
d) Maximum shear stress in each screw
e) Speed ratio necessary at the speed reducing
equipment if the driving motor runs at 1750 rpm.

𝑓𝑓 = 0.15
𝑾𝑾𝑻𝑻 = 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌

𝑛𝑛𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑣𝑣𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 = 2𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑓𝑓𝑐𝑐 = 0.03

𝐷𝐷𝑐𝑐 = 4"

Motor

Speed Reducing Equipment, 𝑛𝑛𝑚𝑚 = 75 %

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a) If the coefficients of friction at the thread is

collar are 0.15 and 0.13, respectively,
determine the weight W in kN that is being
lifted.
b) Determine the maximum stress induced in
the screw by considering a ductile screw
material
c) What force applied at the end of the wrench
will lower the load?

Solution:

Double threaded screw: L=2P

𝑾𝑾 =?
ACME form: 𝜙𝜙 = 14.5𝑜𝑜
𝐷𝐷𝑜𝑜 = 50𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
ℎ = 0.5𝑃𝑃 for ACME thread 𝐷𝐷𝑐𝑐 = 90𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
𝐿𝐿 = 1𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟:
𝐿𝐿 = 10𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑓𝑓𝑐𝑐 = 0.13
𝐿𝐿
𝑝𝑝 = : 𝑝𝑝 = 5𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
2

𝑓𝑓 = 0.15 𝑄𝑄𝑅𝑅 = 60 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘

𝑙𝑙 = 750𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚

Example 4:
A double-threaded ACME-form power screw of 50
mm diameter is used. The nut makes 1 rev per cm of axial
travel. A force of 60 kg is applied at the end of a 750 mm
long wrench used on the nut in raising the load. The mean
diameter of the collar is 90 mm.
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 Machine Design 1: BASAEN, RV

Example 5:
A 2” diameter, square-threaded power screw has an
efficiency of 66 % in raising a load.
a) If it has a pitch of 0.5-inch, what type of multiple-
thread is it?
b) Compute the torque that should be absorbed by a
brake, which is mounted on the screw, if the load
is to be lowered at a uniform rate. Use f = 0.125,
with negligible collar friction. The axial load of
the screw is 4 kips.
Example 6:
A 2” diameter square form, double thread screw
is to be powered by a 2 ℎ𝑟𝑟 m otor at a 48 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑚𝑚 . Th e
coefficient of thread friction is 0.15 and the frictional
torque of collar is 10 percent of the total torque input. The
screw has 2.25 threads per inch. Estimate the capacity of
the screw in terms of axial load that it can support.

Solution: Solution:
a) 𝑁𝑁𝑡𝑡=? : Type of multiple thread Double threaded
screw: L=2P
𝑓𝑓 = 0.15 𝑾𝑾 = ? Square form:

𝐷𝐷𝑜𝑜 = 2":
𝑝𝑝 = 1/(𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇)
7
𝑛𝑛𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 = 48 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 ℎ= 𝑃𝑃
16
𝐷𝐷𝑚𝑚
7 1
𝑻𝑻𝒄𝒄 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏%(𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻 ) = 2− � �
16 2.25
𝐷𝐷𝑚𝑚 = 1.806"
Moto

𝑾𝑾 =?: axial load capacity of the power screw

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Table 8.1 of DME Faires

PROPORTIONS OF POWER SCREWS
The stub Acme thread has a height of 0.3P, instead of 0.5P
SQUARE ACME THREADS BUTTRESS
THREADS (Suggested)
SIZE 𝑇𝑇ℎ Minor 𝑇𝑇ℎ Reg. Stub 𝑇𝑇ℎ
In. 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 Dia. 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 Minor Minor 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖
Dia. Dia.
1 10 0.163 16 0.188 0.213
4
5 14 0.241 0.270
16
3 8 0.266 12 0.292 0.325
8
7 12 0.354 0.388
16
1 6.5 0.366 10 0.400 0.440 20
2
5 5.5 0.466 8 0.500 0.550 20
8
3 5 0.575 6 0.583 0.650 16
4
7 4.5 0.681 6 0.708 0.775 16
8
1 4 0.781 5 0.800 0.880 12
1 5 0.925 1.005 12
1
8
1 3.5 1.000 5 1.050 1.130 10
1
4
3 4 1.125 1.225 10
1
8
1 3 1.208 4 1.25 1.350 8
1
2
3 2.5 1.400 4 1.50 1.600 7
1
4
2 2.25 1.612 4 1.75 1.850 6
1 2.25 1.862 3 1.917 2.050 6
2
4
1 2 2.063 3 2.167 2.300 5
2
2
3 2 2.313 3 2.417 2.550 5
2
4
3 1.75 2.500 2 2.500 2.700 5
1 1.62 2.962 2 3.000 3.200 5
3
2 5
4 1.5 3.418 2 3.500 3.700 4
1 2 4.000 4.200 4
4
2
5 2 4.500 4.700 4

113