Calculation of screw action forces

by Lampros Georgiou - 23.5.2006

When we apply a torque on a screw the torque is converted (through balance of moments) to a peripheral force Fu acting
on the screw pitch diameter d2. A coaxial (with screw axis) force F vertical to the peripheral force Fu is created. Neglecting
friction forces between screw and nut, the relation between the forces Fu and F is given from equation (1) where a is the
lead angle and pitch the lead of thread. When we dont neglect the friction between the nut and the screw then we use:
formula (3) in case the force F has the same direction with the screw linear motion (force assists motion), and formula (4)
when it has opposite direction (force resists motion). Formula (5) gives the relation between the friction coefficient and the
friction angle which is used in formulas (3) and (4). Formulas (3) and (4) are applied when the thread is straight (Straight
Thread: A straight thread is a screw thread projecting from cylindrical surface-MACHINERYS HANDBOOK page 1478).
Usually threads are tapered (Taper Thread: A taper thread is a screw thread projecting from a conical surfaceMACHINERYS HANDBOOKpage 1478). Due to tapered geometry the force and friction coefficient are modified (divided
with the cosine of the flank angle- see formulas (6) and (7)). Use formula (6) in case the force F has the same direction
with the screw linear motion (force assists motion) and with a minus sign in opposite case. Formula (8) gives the relation
between the actuating torque and the peripheral force acting on the pitch diameter. In case of lubricate instead of dry
sliding the friction coefficients are lower.