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 Machining Formulas and Definitions  Threading

Machining Formulas and Definitions 

Threading Formulas and Definitions

This section covers threading formulas and definitions for how to calculate cutting
speed, feed rate, or any other parameter for your thread turning, thread milling, or
tapping operations. You will also find the designation for different thread forms according
to international standards.

Thread Turning Formulas and Definitions

Infeed
By dividing the full cutting depth of the thread into smaller cuts, the sensitive nose radius
of the insert is not overloaded.

Example: By taking 0.23–0.10 mm (0.009–0.004 inch) in cutting depth per pass (radial
infeed), the full cutting depth (ap) and the profile depth of the thread (0.94 mm (0.037
inch)) are turned on a 1.5 mm (0.06 inch) pitch metric thread in 6 passes (nap).
:
 1st pass, infeed
0.23 mm

= 0.009 inch

2nd pass, infeed

0.42–0.23 = 0.19 mm
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 0.017–0.009 = 0.008 inch

3rd pass, infeed

0.59–0.42 = 0.17 mm

0.023–0.017 = 0.006 inch

4th pass, infeed

0.73–0.59 = 0.14 mm

0.029–0.023 = 0.006 inch

5th pass, infeed

:
 0.84–0.73 = 0.11 mm

0.033–0.029 = 0.004 inch

6th pass, infeed

0.94–0.84 = 0.10 mm

0.037–0.033 = 0.004 inch

The infeed can be calculated according to the formula:

Δap = radial infeed, cutting depth per pass

X = actual pass (in a series from 1 to nap)

ap = Total depth of thread + extra stock

nap = number of passes

Y = 1st pass = 0.3

2nd pass = 1
:
 3rd and higher = x-1

Pitch 1.5 mm (0.06 inch)

ap = 0.94 mm (0.037 inch)
nap = 6

γ1 = 0.3
γ2 = 1
γn = x-1

Symbol Designation/definition Metric imperial

ap Infeed, full cutting depth mm inch

n Spindle speed rpm rpm

Vc Cutting speed m/min

nap Number of passes

1. Root/bottom
The bottom surface joining the two adjacent flanks of the thread
2. Flank/side
The side of a thread surface connecting the crest and root
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 3. Crest/top
The top surface joining the two sides, or flanks.

P = Pitch, mm, or threads per inch (t.p.i.)

The distance from a point on the screw thread to a corresponding point on the next
thread measured parallel to the axis.

β = The thread profile angle

The angle between the flanks of the thread measured in an axial plane.

φ = Lead angle (helix angle) of the thread

The angle of the thread at a pitch diameter with a plane perpendicular to the axis.

Diameter parameters

d = Major diameter, external

D = Major diameter, internal

d1 = Minor diameter, external

D1 = Minor diameter, internal

d2 = Pitch diameter, external

D2 = Pitch diameter, internal

The effective diameter of the screw thread; approximately half way between the major
and minor diameters.

Lead angle (helix angle)

The lead angle, φ, (helix angle) is dependent on and related to the diameter and the pitch
:
 of the thread. This measurement can be represented by a triangle being unwound from
the component. The lead angle is calculated according to the formula below.

Formula for calculating the lead angle.

N = number of starts

The same pitch on different diameters gives a different lead angle.

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Thread Milling Formulas and Definitions

Cutting speed (vc)
Metric (m/min)

Imperial (ft/min)
:
 Formulas for internal thread milling

Calculated version
Peripheral feed (mm/min) (inch/min)

Radial depth of cut (mm) (inch)

Tool center feed (mm/min) (inch/min)

Feed per tooth (mm) (inch)

Thread milling with a roll into cut tool path, Dvf1

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 Formulas for external thread milling

Calculated version

Peripheral feed (mm/min) (inch/min) Tool center feed (mm/min) (inch/min)

Feed per tooth (mm) (inch)

Tapping Formulas and Definitions

:
 Metric Inch

Spindle speed (n) (rpm)

Feed rate

Torque (Md) (Nm)

Power (P) (kW)

Parameter Meaning Metric unit Inch unit

Md Torque Nm in.lb

p Pitch mm inch

D / DC Nominal diameter mm inch

kc Specific cutting force N/mm2 lbs/in2

n Spindle speed rpm (rev/min) rpm (rev/min)

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 P Power kW hp

vc Cutting speed m/min feet/min

vf Feed rate mm/min in/min

Formulas for hole size

A basic hole size calculation can be made with the following formulas.

Basic hole size calculation for cutting tap

For example: To determine drill size for a cutting tap M10 × 1.5
10–1.5 = 8.5

For example: To determine drill size for a 1/4–20 cutting tap

Basic hole size calculation for forming tap

For example: To determine drill size for a thread forming tap M10 × 1.5

For example: To determine drill size for a 1/4–20 thread forming tap

Basic hole size calculation with thread height for cutting tap
:
 For example: To determine drill size for a cutting tap M8 × 1.25 at 68% of
thread height:

For example: To determine drill size for a 1/4–20 cutting tap at 65% of
thread height.

Basic hole size calculation with thread height for forming tap

For example: To determine drill size for a cutting tap M8 × 1.25 at 68% of
thread height:

For example: To determine drill size for a 1/4–20 cutting tap at 65% of
thread height.

Parameter Meaning Metric unit Inch unit

D Hole diameter mm inch

TD Nominal thread diameter mm inch

TP Thread pitch mm

TPI Thread pitch inch inch

TH Thread height % %

How to calculate thread height in percentage, %

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 Thread height in %, is the ratio between actual height and maximum height of the internal
thread. The example below applies to ISO & UTS standard – 60° threads.

Example, M8 × 1.25

Maximum thread height according to standard is 6/8 H.

H = 0.866 × P

(H = Basic triangle height)

(P = thread pitch)

Maximum thread height is:

6/8 * (0.866 × 1.25) = 0.811 mm

Actual thread height at a core hole of Ø 6.9 mm:

(8–6.9) / 2 = 0.55 mm

Thread height is then (0.55 / 0.81) × 100 = 68%

Actual thread Maximum thread height on internal

height thread (6/8 H)

Rec. core Min. core hole Ø according to

hole Ø standard

60° thread

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Thread Designations According to

International Standards
International standards
To ensure that the two (internal and external) halves of a threaded joint fit together
properly to produce a connection capable of bearing a specified load, threads must
maintain certain standards. International standards for thread forms have therefore been
established for all common thread types.

ISO metric thread designations

The complete thread designation is made up of values for the thread form and the
tolerance. The tolerance is indicated by a number for the tolerance grade and letters for
the tolerance position.

Examples

M16 – 6h
M16: Thread designation and nominal dimension
6h: Tolerance class for pitch and crest position
M10 × 1.25 5g6g
M10: Pitch
1.25: Tolerance class for pitch diameter
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 5g6g: Tolerance class for crest diameter

A fit between threaded parts is indicated by the internal thread tolerance

class followed by the external thread tolerance class, separated by an
oblique stroke.

Tolerance positions
The tolerance position identifies the fundamental deviation and is indicated with an
uppercase letter for internal threads and a lowercase letter for external threads. A
combination of tolerance grade and position give the tolerance class. The values of the
tolerance classes are given in the standards for the different threading systems.

ISO inch threads (UNC, UNF, UNEF, UN)

The UN system has three tolerance classes, ranging from 1 (course) to 3 (fine). A typical
UN thread is designated as follows:

¼" 20 20UNC – 2A
¼" – Major thread diameter
20 – Pitch value: threads per inch (t.p.i.)
UNC – Indicates a course pitch
2A – Indicates a medium tolerance

ISO – Unified (UN):

Loose tolerance: 1A (external threads), 1B (internal threads)

Medium tolerance: 2A (external threads), 2B (internal threads)
Tight tolerance: 3A (external threads), 3B (internal threads)

Different types of UN thread

UNC thread diameter with course pitch

UNF thread diameter with fine pitch
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 UNEF thread diameter with extra-fine pitch
UN thread diameter with constant pitch

Whitworth threads (G, R, BSW, BSF, BSPF)

Whitworth screw threads are now obsolete, but Whitworth pipe threads are a
recognized international standard. There are two tolerance classes for external
Whitworth pipe threads, and one for internal.

Whitworth pipe threads: BSW, BSF, and BSP.F

Tolerance position
Fine: A (external threads), internal threads one class only
Coarse: B (internal threads), internal threads one class only

Whitworth pipe thread designations

These threads are divided into 2 groups:

Pressure-tight joints not made on the thread, ISO 228/1
Pressure-tight joints made on the thread, ISO 7/1
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