LESSON TITLE: MULTI-START THREADING

Objectives: Learners should be competent to

(i) Differentiate between lead and pitch in threads of two or more starts.
(ii) Describe how multi-start threads are cut on the lathe machine.
(iii) Explain the advantage of multi-start threading.
(iv) Cut threads of two or more penetrations on the lathe machine for a cylindrical
piece.

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1.1. Generalities

Multi-started threads like its name has two or more intertwined or overlapped threads running
parallel to one another. Intertwining threads allow the lead distance of a thread to be increased
without changing its pitch. Multi-start threads are commonly used in consumer products to
decrease the number of turns required to screw on lids and caps. It would be very frustrating to
require eight or nine turns of a jar lid to tighten it, or three or four turns of a pen cap to remove
it. Multi-start effort is reduced for opening and closing a bolt as axial movement is advanced.
Multi-start strength is also increased by providing more number of threads.

1.1.1. Definition of Terms

2 Pitch: This is the distance from one thread point to the next thread point, measured parallel
to the thread axis. Distance between adjacent peaks along the work is called pitch. Pitch of
inch-based threads is equal to 1 divided by the number of threads per inch.
3 Lead: This is the distance that a nut will travel in one complete revolution of the screw
(figure 1B and C). On a single thread, the lead and pitch are the same (figure 1A). distance
travelled by the nut in a revolution is called lead, which can be twice or four times as far.
Multiple thread screws have been developed to secure an increase in lead without
weakening the thread.

Figure 1: Difference between lead and pitch in threading

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1.2. Characteristics of Multi-Start Threads
1 A multi-start thread has more than one parallel, non-crossing helix – commonly two or
four.
2 The Lead is a multiple of the Pitch. For example, in figure 1B, which is a 2-start thread,
the Lead is 2×Pitch.
1.3. Realization of Multi-Start Threads
1 Produce the first thread (single penetration thread)
a. Mount the work piece and cutting tool: The job is held in between centers or in a chuck
and the cutting tool is held on tool post. The cutting tool must travel a distance equal to
the pitch (in mm) as the work piece completes a revolution.
b. The definite relative rotary and linear motion between job and cutting tool is achieved
by locking or engaging a carriage motion with lead screw and nut mechanism and fixing
a gear ratio between head stock spindle and lead screw.

Figure 2: Thread cutting on the lathe

c. Set the spindle speed to about one-fourth the speed that is used for conventional turning.
Feed in the tool until it just touches the work. Then, move the tool beyond the right end
of the work and adjust it to take a 0.05mm cut.
d. Turn on the power and engage the half-nuts when indicated by the thread dial. This cut
is made to check whether the lathe is producing the correct threads. Thread pitch can be
checked with a rule or with a screw pitch gage. The half nut or split nut is used for thread

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 cutting in a lathe. It engages or disengages the carriage with the lead screw so that the
rotation of the leadscrew is used to traverse the tool along the workpiece to cut screw
threads. The direction in which the carriage moves depends upon the position of the feed
reverse lever on the headstock.

Figure 3: Measuring thread pitch A – Using a meter rule B – Using a thread pitch gage

e. When everything checks, make additional cuts, working in 0.12mm increments, until
the thread is almost to size. The last few cuts should be no more than 0.05mm deep.
Note that all advances of the cutting tool are made with the compound rest feed screw.
A liberal application of cutting oil, before each cut, will help to obtain a smooth finish.
f. After a cutting pass has been made, move the tool back from the work with the cross-
slide screw. Move the carriage back to start another cut. Feed the tool into the work until
the adjusting screw again bears against the thread cutting stop. By turning the compound
rest in a distance of 0.05 to 0.12mm, the tool will be positioned for the next cut.
2 After the first thread has been cut, with the workpiece and tool still in position, divide
the lead by the number of penetrations (or starts) and move the cutting tool L/n to the
left for the nth – start to cut the nth thread
Pitch of n penetrations = Lead L / no of penetrations n

1.4. Key Points to Note

i. Take the cutting pass gradually (0.05mm – 0.12mm increments) till the required cut
is produced and verify using a thread gage or nut.
ii. Do not reverse the tool post in the thread, so that it does not destroy the threads
made.
iii. A groove is frequently cut at the point where the thread is to terminate. The thread
end groove is cut equal to the minor diameter of the thread and serves two purposes:

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 - It provides a place to stop the threading tool at the end of its cut.
- It permits a nut to be run up to the end of the thread.

Several methods may be employed to terminate a thread, as shown in the figure below.

Figure 4: Techniques for terminating threads. A – Square groove B – Round groove C – Small
shallow hole D – Tool Withdrawn from thread at the end of cut.

Application Exercise

How to realize a 3penetration thread on the lathe with Lead L = 3mm (Assuming that the first
thread has been cut)

After the first thread has been cut, with the workpiece and tool still in position, divide
the lead by the number of penetrations.
From Pitch of n penetrations = Lead L / no of penetrations n
P = 3/3 =1mm

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 Move the too 1mm to the left for the second start to produce the second thread and
finally move the tool 1mm again to the left from the second thread, to produce the 3
third thread.
1.5. Conclusion – Application of Multi-start threads

Multi-start threads are used

i. Wherever leak proof application is needed. E.g. water bottle caps

ii. Wherever higher mechanical advantage is to be obtained. It means output is more
compared to input. E.g. screw jacks used to lift vehicles.

Consolidation Exercise

You are given a cylindrical piece (dimension and material not necessary) and required thread
lead of 4mm.

Work required

1. Present at least 3 different parts of the lathe machine relating to threading and their
functions.
2. Give the procedure of how you can realize a thread of 4 penetrations on the lathe

Solution to Consolidation Exercise

1. Parts of the lathe machine related to threading and their functions

a. The Chuck: This is used to hold the workpiece. It is fastened on the spindle, which
rotates the chuck and the workpiece.
b. The Tool post: This is fastened on the carriage and used to hold the tools at an
accurate position and tool holder mounted on it.
c. The Lead Screw: The Lead screw is also known as the power screw, which is
located at the bottom side of the bed and is used to move the carriage automatically
during the thread cutting operation.
d. The compound rest: This is used to fi the single point cutting tools in a lathe machine
while performing different lathe operations.
e. Apron: This is attached to the carriage and hangs over the front side of the lathe
bed. It is equally useful in provided power and hand feed to both carriage and cross-
slide.

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 f. Carriage: It locates between the headstock and tailstock, and is used to hold and
move the tool post on the bed vertically and horizontally.

2. Procedure of how you can realize a thread of 4 penetrations on the lathe

i. Produce the first thread

In order to produce the first thread,

- Mount the work piece and cutting tool

- Set the spindle speed to about one-fourth the speed that is used for conventional turning
- Feed in the tool until it just touches the work. Then, move the tool beyond the right end
of the work and adjust it to take a 0.05mm cut.
- Turn on the power and engage the half-nuts when indicated by the thread dial
- When everything checks, make additional cuts, working in 0.12mm increments, until
the thread is almost to size
- After a cutting pass has been made, move the tool back from the work with the cross-
slide screw. Move the carriage back to start another cut. Feed the tool into the work
until the adjusting screw again bears against the thread cutting stop. By turning the
compound rest in a distance of 0.05 to 0.12mm, the tool will be positioned for the next
cut.
ii. After the first thread has been cut, with the workpiece and tool still in position,
divide the lead by the number of penetrations.
From Pitch of n penetrations = Lead L / no of penetrations n
P = 4/4 =1mm
Move the too 1mm to the left for the second start to produce the second thread,
move the tool 1mm again to the left from the second thread, to produce the 3 third
thread and finally move the tool 1mm again to the left from the third thread, to
produce the 4th third thread

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