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Culture Documents
A: Catalogs
B: ThreadTech Software
C: Tech Info
D: Used/Surplus Gages
E: General Data
F: Specifications
G: UN-Series
H: M-Series
I: Cylindrical/Plain
J: American Pipe
K: British Pipe
L: ACME
M: Thread Comparators
N: Thread Data Charts
O: Hole Location
P: Medical Luer
Q: Step Pin Gage
R: Thread Articles
To be clear, the most concise definition of superseded is replaced with something better. In other words:
Stop using that old N-Series. Get with the times. Start using the current Unified Inch Standard Series (UNSeries) screw threads.
NONMANDATORY APPENDIX
When significant changes are made in the standards, the old data gets moved to the Nonmandatory
Appendix. The Nonmandatory Appendix to a standard is not considered part of the standard; it is considered
"information only". This is a hint to all using the standard that this changed item should be abandoned in
new designs and if changes are made to older designs they should be upgraded to the new data. Being
moved to the Nonmandatory Appendix is one revision away from being eliminated from the standard
completely.
PROCESS OF CHANGE
When changes to the standard are made, it is the intent of the Standards Committee to encourage
manufacturers to move away from the old standard and work to the new standard data. It is intended that all
new designs be made in accordance to the new standard data. It is understood that it is not cost effective to
change all old drawings to reflect the new standard data, but it is expected that the old screw data be
translated into the new standard data. Years are given for the conversion to be made so that it does not
adversely affect manufactures production costs. Manufacturers are told to translate the obsolete requirements
on existing drawings and to now work to the new requirements.
TRANSLATION
For the purposes of this discussion (there are some exceptions) the American National Standard Series
translates into the Unified Inch Standard Series screw thread as follows:
1. N changes to UN
2. NS changes to UNS
3. NC changes to UNC
4. NF changes to UNF
5. NEF changes to UNEF
6. Class 1 changes to 1A for external threads or 1B for internal threads
7. Class 2 changes to 2A for external threads or 2B for internal threads
8. Class 3 changes to 3A for external threads or 3B for internal threads
9. Class 4 obsolete. Use 3A for external threads or 3B for internal threads
10. Class 5 is still used for interference fit threads
SUMMARY OF DIFFERENCES
There are obvious changes between the N-Series and the UN-Series. First, the thread nomenclature was
changed from N to UN. This was necessary to designate the internationalization of the Unified Inch Standard
Series screw thread. Second, the male and female threads have received individual alpha designations: A =
Male; B = Female. Third, the pitch diameters of the threads were adjusted. The class 2 thread pitch diameter
adjustment allows for an allowance between the male and female threads. In other cases the pitch diameter
were changed to remove tolerance issues which made the threads nearly impossible to manufacture and
gage. Within the now obsolete N-Series some product pitch diameter tolerances were practically absorbed
by the combined tool and gage tolerances leaving little working tolerance for the product manufacturer.
Finally there were several other minor changes made to the general thread form of the end product conform
to manufacturing realities and some benign changes were made relating to the major and minor diameters.
INTERCHANGEABILITY
What did not change was interchangeability with previous versions of the screw thread. The UN-Series is
fully backward compatible with the N-Series. This is codified in ANSI/ASME where the authors of the
standard, in several places, remind the reader that the N-Series is mechanically interchangeable with the
UN-series. The first sentence of the Foreword to B1.1:2003 is their strongest move to eliminate the N-series
screw threads once and for all.
It reads: "This standard is the outgrowth of and supersedes previous editions that were published as
B1-1924, B1.1-1935, B1.1-1949, B1.1-1960, B1.1-1974, B1.1-1982 and B1.1-1989."
This statement is strong because it has been printed in the now current standard. It informs all who make 60
degree inch screw threads that all previous versions of the standard have been replaced. By replacing all
previous versions of the standard, the N-series screw thread as defined in B1.1-1935, has been replaced.
This statement could be used as authorization to deviate from a drawing. When the drawing indicates the Nseries screw thread, it is known that the thread is specified in B1.1-1935, thus it is superseded by B1.1-2003
and the UN-Series is to be used.
CALL TO ACTION
Hello! It has been over half a century and high quality ISO registered companies are still making screw
threads to the long obsolete B1.1:1935. The standard has been revised six times, and still people insist on
using the 1935 version of the standard! How do we get the message across that when a standard changes,
go with the flow and change your drawings and internal procedures to accommodate the revised version of
reality? It was the intension of the standards committee that the American National Standard Series screw
thread be replaced with the Unified Inch Standard Series screw thread in all cases. The threads made to the
Unified Inch Standard Series are designed to screw together with the now obsolete American National
Standard Series screw threads. Without exception: Drawings should be updated to reflect the current
standard. The class-of-fit requirements for the obsolete American National Standard Series screw thread can
be translated to the current Unified Inch Standard Series. This is something that all engineers need to
address. Make drawing changes at the detail level of product designs. If the drawing change process is too
daunting, issue a blanket engineering change order dictating that 60 degree inch series screw threads will be
made to the most current version of B1.1. Begin an education process aimed at third-party government
inspectors to train them to understand and work to the now current version of B1.1.
Is Change Really That Difficult?
Well here we are in 2010 and I daily get screw thread gage requests for the N-series thread.
I explain to the requestor:
1. The N-series thread is obsolete.
2. The N-series screw thread was replaced in 1949 with the UN-series.
3. The NC-2 thread call-out should now read UNC-2A.
4. The N-series is fully mechanically interchangeable with the UN-series.
5. The difference is only 0.0001 to 0.0002 of an inch on the pitch diameter.
After all that explaining the requestor replies that:
1. The print requires the N-series and he does not dare deviate from the drawing.
2. The drawings are not under his control and it takes an act of congress to get a drawing change.
3. The third-party inspector does not understand the finer points of subtle change over time in the screw
thread standard so if it says NC-2 on the drawing, the gage had better read NC-2 or his part will get
rejected.
4. If the pitch diameter stated on the drawing is 0.0002 of an inch different from the pitch diameter on his
gage the government inspector will reject his part.
NOTE TO INSPECTORS
Please read the above information and consider the data presented. The standards change over time to
improve. Revision of standards requires years of debate to reach the final consensus. Consideration is given
to functional properties as well as product interchangeability with former versions of the standard.
Compliance to current standard version is less expensive because of the standardization of tools and gages.
Compliance to the superseded version is more expensive because all the tooling has now become special
made just for that job. If this product is for a government project using the obsolete standard is a waste of
our tax dollars. If this inspection is for a private industry project the extra cost reduces the competitiveness
of the end product in the market place which may schedule the product for free market failure.
Related Pages
ANSI/ASME B1.1
ANSI/ASME B1.1:2003 Changes
ANSI/ASME B1.2
ANSI/ASME B1.3M
DISCLAIMER
As always, obtain approval or consensus from your customer. This data is provided for general information
only. The intention is to provide accurate information; regardless; errors may exist in the supplied information.
If accuracy is critical, base your final decisions on the data provided in the root document: ANSI/ASME
B1.1:2003. ANSI/ASME B1.1:2003 is a copyrighted document. To purchase a copy visit an Authorized
Reseller.
COMMENTS
Original Posting: 6/15/2003
Last Revision: 11/8/2012
Error corrections in, or comments about, the above data can be sent to: gageguy@gagecrib.com.
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