A

Report on

Determination of Bolt Size using Python

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Div:- B

MACHINE DESIGN COURSE PROJECT

SEM:- VI
YEAR
2023-24
Group Members
Name Roll No.

Prayag Sutar 2021265

Hemant Zope 2021273

Agnel Charities’ Fr. C. Rodrigues Institute of Technology, Vashi, Navi

Mumbai.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First, we would like to thank our Principal Dr. S. M. Khot for providing this opportunity for us to learn
and prepare a report. We would also like to thank him for providing the necessary facilities to complete this
report.

We would also like to thank our Head of Department Dr. Aqleem Siddiqui for moral support and
guidance.

Furthermore, we would like to thank our subject teacher and guide Dr. Sanjay Rukhande whose guidance
and care led us to complete our report successfully.

We would also like to thank everyone who have taken their time and filled our survey, which was a crucial
part in the successful completion of the report.

Submitted to

__________________ _________________ ________________

Prof: - (Dr. Sanjay Rukhande)
 1. Introduction
Machine design relies heavily on selecting the appropriate fasteners, particularly bolts, to ensure the safe
and reliable operation of a system. This project aimed to develop a Python code that assists engineers in
selecting suitable bolt sizes for their designs. The tool considers various factors that influence bolt selection,
ultimately recommending a safe and practical option.

2. Importance of Bolt Size Selection

Choosing the correct bolt size is crucial for several reasons:

 Safety: An undersized bolt can fail under applied load, potentially leading to catastrophic equipment
failure, injuries, or even fatalities.
 Performance: An oversized bolt might not provide the necessary clamping force for a secure joint,
potentially causing vibration, looseness, and ultimately, failure.
 Efficiency: Selecting the optimal bolt size avoids unnecessary material usage and associated costs.
 Stress Distribution: Oversized bolts can create unwanted stress concentrations in surrounding
materials, potentially leading to premature failure.

3. Factors Considered for Bolt Selection

The Python code considers the following factors for bolt selection:

 Applied Force: The primary factor influencing bolt selection is the force the bolt needs to
withstand. The code should prompt the user to enter the expected load on the joint.
 Material Selection: Different materials have varying tensile strengths. The code should allow the
user to specify the material of the bolt (e.g., brass, aluminum, steel) and the materials being joined
(as their properties affect clamping force).
 Factor of Safety: A factor of safety is applied to account for uncertainties like material variations,
manufacturing tolerances, dynamic loads, and potential environmental factors. The code should
allow the user to define a desired factor of safety.

4. Types of Bolts
There are numerous types of bolts with diverse:

 Head Styles: These include hex heads for general applications, carriage bolts for wood, and eye
bolts for lifting applications.
 Thread Pitches: These determine the number of threads per inch, affecting clamping force and
potential for self-loosening under vibration.
 Surface Finishes: These can influence corrosion resistance, friction, and ultimately, the required
tightening torque.

While the code itself might not recommend specific bolt types, it's important to consider the application and
choose a bolt type suitable for the installation conditions.
 5. Limitations of the Current Code
The report highlights the current limitation of the code, where it only provides output for data within a
specific region. This suggests the code might require further development to handle a broader range of input
values (forces, material properties). Additionally, the current version might not account for:

 Shear Stress: In some applications, shear forces might be significant, requiring consideration
alongside tensile forces.
 Fatigue Loading: For applications with repetitive loading, fatigue strength of the bolt material
becomes a critical factor.

Code in Python Language to determine Bolt Size and Outer diameter of bolt.
 7. Result

Output: - When the value exceeds the specified data

Output: - When the value is within the specified data

 8. Conclusion
This project successfully developed a Python tool for preliminary bolt size selection. By incorporating the
recommendations mentioned above, the code can be transformed into a more robust and user-friendly tool
for machine designers, facilitating safer and more efficient designs.