Friction in Square Threads – Lecture

Introduction
0:20 - Today, we will continue our lecture on friction. In earlier lectures, we discussed simple contact
friction where the geometry of contacting surfaces was simple, making the computation of friction and
normal forces relatively straightforward.
1:13 - For surfaces with complex geometry, such as in the case of threads, we consider small elemental
areas and write the friction and normal forces for these differential areas, and then integrate their
effects to determine the overall friction.
Square Threads and Their Use
2:14 - Today, we'll focus on square threads, commonly used in screws for jacks, presses, and clamps.
The primary purpose of these devices is to hold components or, in the case of a jack, to raise a load.
The friction between the threads plays a critical role in achieving these functions.
2:52 - In the image of a jack used to lift automobiles, the axle of the automobile is supported by the
screw cap. The weight of the automobile, w , is carried by the cap of the screw. The screw threads
engage in friction with the base, which is essential to raise or lower the car body.
Application of Forces and Friction in the Jack
3:35 - The automobile repair worker applies force on the lever to rotate the screw and thus lift or lower
the car.
4:00 - The friction between the threads must be overcome to raise the load, and for the load to remain
raised after removing the applied force, the friction must be sufficiently large to prevent the screw
from unwinding.
Geometry of the Screw
5:08 - Let's look at a portion of the screw. These threads have an inclination angle α. The screw cap
supports a load w , and the applied force P produces a moment Mz = P × a to rotate the screw.
​

6:47 - The mean radius of the screw is denoted as r , and the distance between two successive threads
along the axis of the screw is called the pitch.
7:12 - For a single-threaded screw, the pitch is the distance the nut moves when completing one
revolution. For a multi-threaded screw, the advancement is n × pitch, where n is the number of
threads.
8:02 - The lead L, which is the amount the nut moves per revolution, is related to pitch by L = nP .
Frictional Forces on the Thread
9:26 - Frictional forces act along the thread faces. If we move the screw in one direction, the friction
resists motion and the frictional force acts in the opposite direction to the applied force.
10:04 - These forces act at a distance r from the axis of the screw, and the sum of all these forces can
be represented as a single force F (friction) and N (normal force), with the direction cosines along the
axis of the screw.
Free Body Diagram and Equations
11:01 - The free body diagram consists of the applied weight W , the applied moment Mz , and the
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sum of frictional and normal forces.

12:04 - The forces must balance, and we sum forces along the z -direction to ensure equilibrium.
13:03 - The equation for force balance along the z-direction is:

−W + N cos α + μs N sin α = 0
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13:53 - Summing moments about the z-axis:

−Ms N cos αr − N sin αr + Mz = 0

​ ​

15:07 - Solving these equations for the applied moment gives us:

μs cos α + sin α
Mz = wr
​

cos α − μs sin α
​ ​

15:59 - This equation gives the moment required to raise the load.
Self-Locking Screw Condition
16:07 - To check if the screw jack is self-locking, we examine whether the screw will unwind when the
applied force is removed. A self-locking screw will hold the load in place even when the applied
moment is removed.
16:35 - For the screw to be self-locking, the minimum required frictional force μs must satisfy:
​

μs ≥ tan α
​

If μs is less than tan α, the screw will not self-lock.

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Example Problem
18:35 - Now, let’s consider an example problem for a square threaded screw. In this case, a vise is
supported on a platform, and we are interested in finding the force exerted when a 16 Newton meter
torque is applied to the screw.
19:09 - The mean radius and the coefficient of friction are given.
20:17 - The equivalent free body diagram for the screw is drawn, with the applied torque M = 60
Newton meters.
24:05 - First, we compute the lead angle α, which is:

3
α = tan−1 ( )
2πr
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The lead L is equal to the pitch, and the mean radius r = 12 mm.
24:31 - From this, we find the angle α = 2.279∘ .
24:52 - We now proceed with the force summation and moment summation equations to solve for the
required force.
Analysis of Screw Jack and Thread Mechanics
1. Frictional and Normal Forces
The frictional force, normal force (N), and other forces involved in the screw jack are analyzed
using the free body diagram. By considering the moments caused by these forces, we find that
the value of N is 26,364 N. This analysis helps determine the reaction force, N1, by using a specific
equation. However, the primary focus here is not on this equation but on the general method.
2. Moment Equation and Calculation of Load (P)
Summing the moments about point D gives the equation:

P × 0.6 m − N cos α × 0.45 m + μN sin α × 0.45 m = 0

Solving this equation gives P = 19.64 kN. This demonstrates the method used to solve square
threads and how the required unknowns can be calculated using the free body diagram.
3. Inclined Plane Analogy
To further analyze the screw jack, we use the inclined plane analogy. If we unwind the thread and
represent it on a plane, the problem becomes similar to raising a load along an inclined plane.
When the screw rotates one full revolution, the load is raised by the lead distance of the screw.
This is equivalent to raising the load W along the inclined plane.
The equivalent force Q on the inclined plane is used to raise the load W .
The applied moment is balanced by the moment due to force Q, which is applied at the
radius r .
4. Equivalence of Moments
From the equilibrium of forces, we can write:

Q×r =P ×a

This relationship allows us to find the required force Q, which will further help in calculating the
quantities necessary to solve the problem.
5. Self-locking Thread Analysis
The self-locking behavior of the screw can also be studied using this analogy. If the impending
motion is upwards, it is similar to raising a load by applying a moment on the screw jack. This
analogy also helps us understand when and why additional force or moment is needed to prevent
motion or ensure motion.
6. Free Body Diagram of the Inclined Plane
For an inclined plane with a block, the reaction force R (combination of frictional and normal
forces) makes an angle with the normal of the inclined plane. The lead angle θ and friction angle
ϕ come into play here, influencing the required forces and moments.
7. Self-locking Thread
If the thread is self-locking, the load will not slide down the inclined plane by itself. In such a case,
we must apply force Q to lower the load, or the screw will unwind and lower the block.
8. Example Problem: Clamp Tightening and Loosening
 Given:

Diameter of the screw: 10 mm

Pitch: 2 mm
Coefficient of friction: 0.3
Applied torque: 40 N·m
Find the clamping force and torque to loosen the clamp.

To solve this, we calculate:

The lead angle θ and angle of friction ϕ.
From the lead and friction angles, we construct an equivalent inclined plane diagram. The
force Q representing the moment helps us calculate the clamping force W , which is 17.97
kN.
9. Torque to Loosen the Clamp
The equivalent inclined plane diagram is used to find the horizontal load Q and calculate the
torque required to loosen the clamp. The torque is found to be 14.87 N·m.
10. Worm Gear Analysis
Given:

Torque on large gear: 1100 N·m

Coefficient of friction: 0.12
Objective:

Find the moment required to rotate the large gear in the clockwise direction.

The equivalent inclined plane for this problem is constructed by using the same steps as before:
The applied torque results in a vertically upward load.
The moment required to rotate the large gear in the clockwise direction is found to be 10.99
N·m.

This method of using the inclined plane analogy is an effective way to solve problems involving screw
threads and square-threaded screws, such as determining the forces, moments, and torque needed for
various mechanical operations.