Power screw C onvert a rotary motion into a linear motion for power transmission. Produces uniform motion and the design of the power screw may be such that: (a) Either screw or the nut is held at rest and the other member rotates as it moves axially. Ex: screw clamp (b) Either the screw or the nut rotates but does not move axially. Ex: press
I NDEX Power Screw Types of Power Screws Load Analysis Efficiency of power screw Threads Applications of Power Screw
Types of power screws Square Thread Acme Thread Buttress Thread
Square Thread S trongest thread. No radial load. Hard to manufacture. M uch higher intrinsic efficiency than acme threads. This thread is difficult in machining. It is the lowest friction and most efficient thread form, but it is difficult to fabricate.
Acme thread The Acme thread form has a 29° thread angle with a thread height half of the pitch. The apex and valley are flat. This shape is easier to machine than is a square thread. The tooth shape also has a wider base which means it is stronger than a similarly sized square thread. This thread form also allows for the use of a split nut, which can compensate for nut wear.
Buttress Thread In machinery, the buttress thread form is designed to handle extremely high axial thrust in one direction. The load-bearing thread face is perpendicular to the screw axis or at a slight slant (usually not greater than 7°) The other face is slanted at 45°. Great strength. Only unidirectional loading.
Efficiency of power screw A square thread power screw with a single start is shown in figure. Here p is the pitch, α the helix angle, d m the mean diameter of thread and F is the axial load. In order to analyze the mechanics of the power screw we need to consider two cases: Raising the load Lowering the load.
Efficiency of power screw
Efficiency of power screw Raising the load
Efficiency of power screw lowering the load
Efficiency of power screw Here work output = F. L Work input = p. π d m
Efficiency of power screw Condition for self locking The load would lower itself without any external force if π µd m < L And some external force is required to lower the load if π µd m >= L Therefore this the condition of self locking.
Efficiency of power screw trapezoidal threads The above analysis is for square thread and for trapezoidal thread some modification is required. Because of the thread angle the force normal to the thread surface is increased. The torque is therefore given by The increased friction is due to the wedging effect. But they are not preferred due to greater losses due to friction.
Efficiency of power screw trapezoidal threads
Load Analysis d p L N f P F LIFTING y x
Threads p pitch in./thread d diameter (major) in. d p pitch diameter in. d r minor diameter in. L Lead in.
Applications of power screws Jack screws Lead screws of a lathe Screw for vices Presses C-clamps Instron material testing machines Machine tools (for positioning of table)