Design of Threaded Elements

Dimitrios Katsareas

Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics Department, University of Patras, March 2018

 Design of Threaded Elements 2

designing machine elements

the design process is the same, first use engineering mechanics to
calculate load distributions and maximum load cross-sections, then
use strength of materials to identify points of maximum stress and
finally select suitable material that will withstand the maximum loads

• joints (rivets, welds, bolts, piping)

• power transmission (shafts, gears, screws, clutches)
• motion transmission (linkages, couplings)
• force transmission (springs, pulleys, wire ropes, brakes)
• supports (roller bearings, journal bearings)
• energy storage (flywheels)
Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics Department, University of Patras, March 2018
 Design of Threaded Elements 3

Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics Department, University of Patras, March 2018

 Design of Threaded Elements 4

the screw-nut system

suppose now we are screwing the nut on the screw,
instead the other way around (load-wise is the same)

if we could focus on a small

area of a single thread, we
would realize that the loads
on the nut are identical to
the loads on a box as we
push it (slide not roll) up
the ramp

T is the torque necessary to screw the nut on the screw and M

is the force necessary to push the box up the ramp

Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics Department, University of Patras, March 2018

 Design of Threaded Elements 5

the helix
a helix is formed by wrapping a right-angled triangle around a cylinder
now we have a flat
instead of a helical
ramp and as we push
the box along it (one full
circle) it will go up one
floor

p = pitch
λ = lead angle
dm = mean thread diameter
π = 3.141592

doing the opposite, that is unwrapping a full thread of the screw, we come up with a right-
angled triangle, whose one leg is equal to the circumference and the other equal to the pitch
Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics Department, University of Patras, March 2018
 Design of Threaded Elements 6

free body diagram

as we push the box up the ramp (do not forget that
the box represents the nut and the ramp represents
“every action has an equal
the screw), two are the major external forces that are and opposite reaction”
applied on it: 1) the horizontal push that we apply,
with an uphill direction and 2) gravity, which is always
vertical and directed downwards

the ramp floor reacts to the push and the weight of the box: 1) by supporting it from underneath, always normal to the floor
surface, with an upwards direction and 2) by friction, which is always parallel to the floor surface and opposing the motion of
the box
Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics Department, University of Patras, March 2018
 Design of Threaded Elements 7

equilibrium

Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics Department, University of Patras, March 2018

 Design of Threaded Elements 8

designing a screwjack
what force should be applied on the handle bar, in order to lift a 1000 kgs load?
the body is made of cast iron and the screw is made of carbon steel

Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics Department, University of Patras, March 2018

 Design of Threaded Elements 9

square thread profile

Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics Department, University of Patras, March 2018

 Design of Threaded Elements 10

friction coefficients

Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics Department, University of Patras, March 2018

 Design of Threaded Elements 11

homework
select the handlebar material so that it will not bent, when lifting a load of 1000 kgs
(report to be delivered in one week)

Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics Department, University of Patras, March 2018