Acme - The Transversal Motion Thread

Types of Acme Threads

General Purpose ACME FORM BASIC DIMENSIONS
With clearance on all diameters for free movement, Fillet radius at minor
45 chamfer, crest of diameter of
general purpose Acmes are used for a wide variety of Width of flat centralizing screws centralizing screws
Maximum fillet
parts including all types of vise and jack screws where Root of nut1 radius root of
Depth of Total depth Thread Crest of Frn=0.3707p- Minimum centralizing Minimum
holding major diameter is not a critical consideration. Threads thread (basic) of thread thickness nut (basic), 0.259x Minimum width of flat tapped classes 5 and 6 Maximum all
Per Inch. Pitch P h=p/2 (all screws) (basic,) t FCN=0.307p allowancea depth 0.05p 0.0707p hole, 0.06p only, 0.07p classes 0.10p
Three classes of thread fit tolerances are available: 2G, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch
3G and 4G. Basic Acme dimensions are given in 16 0.06250 0.03125 0.0362 0.03125 0.0232 0.0206 0.0031 0.0044 0.004 0.0044 0.0062
14 .07143 .03571 .0407 .03571 .0265 .0239 .0036 .005 .004 .0050 .0071
accompanying tables. 12 .08333 .04167 .0467 .04167 .0309 .0283 .0042 .006 .005 .0058 .0083
10 .10000 .05000 .0600 .05000 .0371 .0319 .0050 .007 .006 .0070 .0100
8 .12500 .06250 .0725 .06250 .0463 .0411 .0062 .009 .0075 .0088 .0125
6 .16667 .08333 .0933 .08333 .0618 .0566 .0083 .012 .010 .0177 .0167
Centralizing 5 .20000 .10000 .1100 .10000 .0741 .0689 .0100 .014 .012 .0140 .0200
4 .25000 .12500 .1350 .12500 .0927 .0875 .0125 .018 .015 .0175 .0250
Centralizing Acmes have limited clearance at the major 3 .33333 .16667 .1767 .16667 .1236 .1184 .0167 .024 .020 .0233 .0333
2-1/2 .40000 .20000 .2100 .20000 .1483 .1431 .020 .028 .024 .0280 .0400
diameter of screw and nut and are used extensively for 2 .50000 .25000 .2600 .2500 .1853 .1802 .025 .035 .030 .0350 .0500

feed screws. The limited clearance enables a bearing at 1

Values tabulated in column 7 are for the general purpose nut only. The basic width of flat at the root screw. Frs is equal to value for Frn in column 7 minus .0259
times the pitch diameter allowance.
the major diameter to maintain alignment of the thread a
For allowance see table XII. 4, column 3 in Screw Thread Standards For Federal Services, Handbook H-28 (1957) Part III.
axis preventing wedging on the flanks and part sagging.
GENERAL PURPOSE AND CENTRALIZING ACME TOLERANCES
Five classes are used: 2C, 3C, 4C, 5C, and 6C. Classes Basic diameters
General purpose and centralizing
5C and 6C are designed to allow limited backlash, Identification classes 2,3, and 4 Centralizing, classes 5 and 6 Thread data
though some backlash will be experienced with any of
Thread
these classes. Nominal thickness Basic depth of Basic
sizes Threads Major Pitch Minor Major Pitch Minor Pitch at pitch thread width of flat,
(all classes) Per Inch. diameter, diameter, diameter, diameter, diameter, diameter, P line, t h=0.5p F=0.3707p
Differences between General Purpose and Centralizing 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
threads are found by referring to the limiting dimensions Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch
1/4 16 0.2500 0.2188 0.1875 -- -- -- 0.06250 0.03152 0.03125 0.0232
and tolerances. For example, while a 1/2" diameter, 10 5/16 14 .3125 .2768 .2411 -- -- -- .07143 .03571 .03571 .0265
3/8 12 .3750 .3333 .2917 -- -- -- .08333 .04167 .04167 .0309
pitch Class 3 General Purpose thread has a .5000" 7/16 12 .4375 .3958 .3542 -- -- -- .08333 .04167 .04167 .0309
1/2 10 .5000 .4500 .4000 .4823 .4323 .3823 .10000 .05000 .05000 .0371
maximum major diameter and .4950" minimum for a
5/8 8 .6250 .5265 .5000 .6052 .5427 .4802 .12500 .06250 .06250 .0463
tolerance of .0050" - the similar Centralizing Acme has a 3/4 6 .7500 .6667 .5833 .7284 .6451 .5617 .16667 .08333 .08333 .0618
.5000" major O.D. and a minimum major of .4989" for a 7/8 6 .8750 .7917 .7083 .8516 .7683 .6849 .16667 .08333 .08333 .0618
1 5 1.0000 .9000 .8000 .9750 .8750 .7750 .20000 .10000 .10000 .0741
General Purpose major diameter tolerance of just .0011". Tolerances for
1-1/8 5 1.1250 1.0250 .9250 1.0985 .9985 .8985 .20000 .10000 .10000 .0741
Centralizing the pitch and minor diameters are the same for both 1-1/4 5 1.2500 1.1500 1.0500 1.2220 1.2220 1.1200 .20000 .10000 .10000 .0741
Thread Designation General Purpose and Centralizing Acmes of the same
1-3/8 4 1.3750 1.2500 1.1250 1.3457 1.2207 1.0957 .25000 .12500 .12500 .0927
1-1/2 4 1.5000 1.3750 1.2500 1.4694 1.3444 1.2194 .25000 .12500 .12500 .0927
Stub Acme
diameter and pitch. 1-3/4 4 1.7500 1.6250 1.5000 1.7169 1.5919 1.4669 .25000 .12500 .12500 .0927
Modified Stub Acme 2 4 2.0000 1.8750 1.7500 1.9646 1.8396 1.7146 .25000 .12500 .12500 .0927
M1/M2 Stub Acme Forms 2-1/4 3 2.2500 2.0833 1.9167 2.2125 2.0458 1.8792 .33333 .16667 .16667 .1236
2-1/2 3 2.5000 2.3333 2.1667 2.4605 2.2938 2.1272 .3333 .16667 .16667 .1236
Misc. Special Dia.
2-3/4 3 2.7500 2.5833 2.4167 2.7085 2.5418 2.3752 .33333 .16667 .16667 .1236
3 2 3.0000 2.7500 2.5000 2.9567 2.7067 2.4567 .50000 .25000 .25000 .1853
4 2 4.0000 3.7500 3.5000 3.9500 3.7000 3.4500 .50000 .25000 .25000 .1853
5 2 5.000 4.7500 4.5000 4.9441 4.6941 4.4441 .50000 .25000 .25000 .1853
Acme - The Transversal Motion Thread

Designating General Purpose and STANDARD STUB ACME THREAD FORM, BASIC DIMENSIONS
Height of Total height Thread Crest of internal Root of internal thread
Centralizing Acmes Threads Pitch, thread (basic), hs=ht Thread thickness thread (basic), Frn=0.4224p-
Per Inch P h=0.3p (basic), t=p/2 (basic), t=p/2 F=0.4224p 0.259 x allowance
The correct manner to describe these threads is: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
16 .06250 0.01875 0.0238 0.03125 0.0264 0.0238
(A) 1-1/2 - 4NA - 2G describes a 1-1/2" major 14 0.07143 0.02143 0.0264 0.3571 0.0302 0.0276
12 0.08333 0.02500 0.0300 0.04167 0.0352 0.0326
diameter (1-1/2), 0.25 or 4 pitch (4), Acme 10 0.10000 0.03000 0.0400 0.05000 0.0422 0.0370
9 0.11111 0.03333 0.0433 0.05556 0.0469 0.0417
thread (NA), Class 2 General Purpose type (2G). 8 0.12500 0.03750 0.0475 0.06250 0.0528 0.0476

(B) 2-1/2 - 3NA - 3C - LH describes a 2-1/2" 7 0.14286 0.04285 0.0529 0.07143 0.0603 0.0551
6 0.16667 0.05000 0.0600 0.08333 0.0704 0.0652
major diameter (2-1/2), 3 or 0.3333 pitch (3), 5 0.20000 0.06000 0.0700 0.10000 0.0845 0.0793
4 0.25000 0.07500 0.0850 0.12500 0.1056 0.1004
Acme thread (NA), Class 3 Centralizing type 3-1/2 0.28571 0.08571 0.0957 0.14286 0.1207 0.1155
3 0.33333 0.10000 0.1100 0.16667 0.1408 0.1356
(3C), left hand (LH).
2-1/2 0.40000 0.12000 0.1300 0.20000 0.1690 0.1638
(C) 2 - 0.25 - 0.5L - 2NA - 3G. This describes a 2 0.50000 0.15000 0.1600 0.25000 0.2112 0.2060
1-1/2 0.66667 0.20000 0.2100 0.33333 0.2816 0.2764
2" major diameter (2), 1/4 or 0.25 pitch (4), 0.50 1-1/3 0.75000 0.22500 0.2350 0.37500 0.3168 0.3116
or 1/2 lead (0.5L), double Acme thread (2NA), 1 1.00000 0.300000 0.3100 0.50000 0.4224 0.4172

Class 3 General Purpose type (3G).

Stub Acme
Originally derived from the General Purpose form, the
Stub Acme is generally used for applications where a
coarse pitch thread of shallow depth must be used due to
mechanical or metallurgical considerations.

What would a typical Stub Acme be used for? A standard

1-1/2 - 5P Acme is planned for a part, but the amount of
metal removal would reduce the minor diameter to the
point where the torque would twist the part. The solution:
use a 1-1/2", 5 pitch two start, or 1-1/2", 5 pitch Stub
Acme.

Thread height for Standard Stub Acmes is equal to 0.3

times the pitch, while the height of a Standard Acme is
1/2 of the pitch. Otherwise, the forms are identical.

Here is how to correctly describe a Stub Acme: 1/2" - 10

Stub Acme - 2G corresponds to 1/2" nominal size, 10
pitch Stub Acme, Class 2G. (Class 2G is the same as for
the General Purpose Acme.
Acme - The Transversal Motion Thread

M1 AND M2 STUB ACME THREAD FORMS, BASIC DIMENSIONS

Modified Stub Acme Threads
Width of
Recognizing that the Standard Stub Acme does not Width of flat at crest
Total height flat at crest Total height Thread of internal
always provide an accepted thread for all applications, Height of of thread Thread of internal Height of of thread thickness thread
Threads Pitch, thread (basic), hs=h=1/2 thickness thread (basic), Threads Pitch thread (basic), hs=h+1/2 (basic), (basic),
basic data for two other commonly used forms have Per Inch, n P h=0.375p allowancea (basic), t=p/2 Fcn=0.4030p per inch, n P h=0.250p allowancea t=p/2 Fcn=0.4353p
Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch Inch
been tabulated. These are designated Modified Forms 16 0.06250 0.02344 0.0284 0.03125 0.0252 16 0.06250 0.01563 0.0206 0.03125 0.0272
1 and 2. Always use the Standard Stub Acme form in 14 0.07143 0.02679 0.0318 0.03572 0.0288 14 0.07143 0.01786 0.0229 0.03571 0.0311
12 0.08333 0.03125 0.0363 0.04167 0.0336 12 0.08333 0.02083 0.0258 0.04167 0.0363
preference to the Modified forms where it is practical. 10 0.10000 0.03750 0.0475 0.05000 0.0403 10 0.10000 0.02500 0.0350 0.5000 0.0435
9 0.11111 0.04167 0.0517 0.05556 0.0448 9 0.11111 0.02778 0.0378 0.05556 0.0484
8 0.12500 0.04688 0.0569 0.06250 0.0504 8 0.12500 0.03125 0.0413 0.06250 0.0544
Where a fit with less backlash is needed, the tolerances 7 0.14286 0.05357 0.0636 0.07143 0.0576 7 0.14286 0.03571 0.0457 0.07143 0.0622
and allowances for General Purpose threads can be 6 0.16667 0.06250 0.0725 0.08333 0.0672 6 0.16667 0.04167 0.0517 0.8333 0.0726
5 0.20000 0.07500 0.0850 0.10000 0.0806 5 0.20000 0.05000 0.0600 0.10000 0.0871
used to determine limiting dimensions for mating 4 0.025000 0.09375 0.1038 0.12500 0.1008 4 0.25000 0.06250 0.0725 0.12500 0.1088
3-1/2 0.28571 0.10714 0.1171 0.14286 0.1151 3-1/2 0.28571 0.7143 0.0814 0.14286 0.1244
threads. For special designs, allowances and tolerances 3 0.33333 0.12500 0.1350 0.16667 0.1343 3 0.33333 0.08333 0.0933 0.16667 0.1451
2-1/2 0.40000 0.15000 0.1600 0.20000 0.1612 2-1/2 0.40000 0.10000 0.1100 0.20000 0.1741
can be taken directly from the Standard Stub Acme 2 0.50000 0.18750 0.1975 0.25000 0.2015 2 0.50000 0.12500 0.1350 0.25000 0.2177
1-1/2 0.66667 0.25000 0.2600 0.33333 0.2687 1-1/2 0.66667 0.16667 0.1767 0.33333 0.2902
threads. 1-1/3 0.75000 0.28125 0.2913 0.37500 0.3023 1-1/3 0.75000 0.18750 0.1975 0.37500 0.3265
1 1.00000 0.37500 0.3850 0.50000 0.4030 1 1.00000 0.25000 0.2600 0.50000 0.4353
Therefore, the major diameter and basic thread
*Allowance is shown in table XIII. 3, column 4 in Screw-Thread Standards for Federal Services, Handbook H-28, part III.
thickness at the pitch line for both external and internal
threads will be the same as those for Standard Stub
Acmes. Special Diameter/Pitches
Pitch and minor diameters will vary from the data While standard series for Acme threads have been
shown in Table IV for the following: established, information on a wide range of special
diameter and pitch combinations (with corresponding
For Modified Form 1, (M1) - the pitch and minor
tolerances for special applications) is available from
diameters will be smaller than similar values for the
Landis Threading Systems.
standard form.
Standard Acmes can be produced with a die head on
For Modified Form 2, (M2) - the pitch and minor diame- Modified Form 1 Stub Acme thread with basic height of 0.375 pitch.
diameters ranging from 1/2 to 4".
ters will be larger than the values for the standard form.
Acmes larger than 4" can also be threaded if finer
Modified Stub Acmes are designated as follows:
pitches are involved.
1/2" -20 Stub Acme M1 indicates a Modified Form 1
right hand thread.

Changing M1 to M2 changes the designation to a

Modified Form 2 thread.

Adding LH after M1 or M2 (e.g. 1/2 - 20 Stub Acme -

Modified Form 2 Stub Acme thread with basic height of 0.25 pitch.
M1 - LH) changes the designation from a right to a left
hand thread.