Metrology of

Screw threads

Introduction
Screw threads have 2 functions to perform
viz. transmission of power and motion and
to act as a fastener
The objective of dimensional control in the
case of plain shaft and hole is to ensure a
certain consistency of fit.
In case of threaded work, the objective is
to ensure mechanical strength which is
dependent on the amount of flank contact
and not upon the fit.

Screw Thread Terminology

Errors in Threads
In case of plain shafts and holes , there is only one
dimension which has to be considered.
Errors on this dimension if exceed the permissible
tolerance, will justify the rejection of part.
In screw threads 5 important elements require
consideration and error in any 1 can cause rejection.
All these 5 elements (Major diameter, Minor
diameter, Effective diameter, pitch and angle of the
thread form) must be checked and gauging must
covere these elements.

Measurement of Various
Elements of a Thread
1) Measurement of Major Diameter
i. Using hand micrometer
. Light pressure must be used in order to
reduce the error due to compression.
. Desirable to check the micrometer reading
on a cylindrical standard of approximately
the same size to eliminate zero error.
. Micrometer anvils should touch at least two
crests at a time

ii. Using Bench Micrometer

Used for greater accuracy of measurement.
A fiducial indicator is used in place of the fixed
anvil.
Machine is used as a comparator in order to
avoid any pitch errors of micrometers , zero
setting etc.
Calibrated setting cylinder is used as setting
standard whose diameter is same as the major
diameter.

 The
cylinder is held and the micrometer

reading is noted down.

The cylinder is then replaced by the
threaded workpiece and again the
micrometer reading is noted down for same
reading of the fiducial (reference) indicator.
The following data is noted down.
r

ii. Measurement of Effective diameter

(Pitch diameter)
. Thread micrometer method
. One wire method
. Two wire method
. Three wire method

One wire method

 In
this method one wire is placed between
2 threads at one side and on the other side
the anvils of the measuring instrument
contacts the crests as shown in the figure.
First the micrometer reading is noted on a
standard gauge whose dimension is nearly
same as to be obtained by this method.
Actual measurement over wire one
side and threads on the other side =
size of the gauge difference in the
two micrometer readings.

Two wire method

Three Wire method

Best Size Wire

Best size wire is one in which case the wire
makes contact with the thread flanks i.e. the
contact points of the wire should be , on the
pitch line or effective diameter.

Measurement of Minor diameter of Internal Threads

i. Using taper parallels

For diameter less than 200 mm taper parallels and
micrometer is used.
Taper parallels are pairs of wedges having parallel
outer edges.
Diameter across their edges can be changed by
sliding them over each other as shown in figure.
Taper parallels are inserted inside the thread and
adjusted until a firm contact is established.
The diameter over the outer edges is measured
with a micrometer.

ii. Using Rollers

. Method used for diameters greater
than 10mm
. Precision rollers are inserted inside
the thread and proper slip gauges
inserted between the rollers as show
in the figure.
. Minor diameter is the length of the
slip gauges plus the diameter of the
rollers.