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Product Assembly Guide

Assembly Options

Coatings/Shielding | Aesthetic/Decorative

Press-fits Threads can often be molded into injection molded parts for use in
assembly or part function. There are a number of different types of threads
Inserts which are commonly used and there are many specialty threads for specific
Snap Fits applications. The type of thread selected will make a large difference in the
performance of the part.
Molded-In Plastic
Threads The following general rules should be followed in most cases for
thermoplastic thread design:
Fasteners
1. Maximize root radius (internal and external threads)
Solvent Bonding 2. Avoid tapered (pipe) threads
Adhesive Bonding 3. Select an appropriate thread type

Plastic Fusion Types of Threads:

Staking
British Association Standard
If: Then:
P = Pitch of thread H = 1.13634 x P
H = Depth of v-thread h = 0.60000 x P
h = Depth of B.A. thread r = 0.18083 x P
r = Radius at root & crest of thread s = 0.26017 x P
s = Root and crest truncation.

This screw thread is recommended by the British Standards Institute for all screws smaller
than 0.25 in (6.35 mm) diameter. This thread design is well-suited for plastic applications
due to its specified root radius of 0.18083 P

Whitworth Thread
Pitch = P: P = 1 inch/n
Depth = d d = 0.640327 x P
Radius = r r = 0.137329 x P
Number of Threads Per Inch = n

Although this thread is being phased out in industry by the unified thread, it is an
excellent thread design for plastic applications. This is true because of the generous radius
at the root of each thread which reduces the stress concentration effects. The root radius
is specified as 0.1373 P.

American National or Unified Thread

Pitch = P: P = 1 inch/n
Depth = d d = 0.61343 x P
Flat = f f = 0.125 x P
Number of Threads Per Inch = n
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Plastic Applications f = Full Radii

The unified thread is currently the most common thread design for general use.

Buttress Thread
Pitch = P: P = 2 x Screw Diameter/15
Depth = d d = .75 x P
Flat = f f = 0.125 x P
Plastic Applications f = Full Radii

The buttress thread is somewhat unique in that the threads are not symmetric about a
cross-sectional center line. Buttress threads have advantages in load bearing applications
where the load is in one direction only (along the axis of the screw). Because the load
bearing face is nearly perpendicular to the axis of the screw, the loads are transferred
almost entirely along the axis rather than in the radial direction. The American National
Buttress Thread has a standard root radius of 0.0357 P to 0.0714 P. The largest possible
root radius is suggested for plastic applications.

V Thread
Pitch = P: P = 1 inch/n
Depth = d d = 0.866 x P
Number of Threads Per Inch = n

Although it is the easiest to tool, the V-thread is one of the worst thread designs for plastic
applications. The sharp notch at the root of the thread often results in extreme stress
concentrations which can cause catastrophic part failure. The stress concentration factors
associated with this thread type are often between 3.0 and 5.0. Thus, three to five times
the average stress values (resulting from simple calculations) are often seen by the part.

Square Thread

A square thread is often used for power transmission applications, such as the power
screw which drives a lathe, vice or jack. This is done because the square thread is very
efficient at transferring force and power. The square thread type is not commonly used for
plastics due to the stress concentrations induced into the threads at the base, which can
cause the threads to strip or shear off.

ACME Thread
Pitch = P: P = 1 inch/n
Height = H h = 0.5 x P
Thickness = t t = 0.5 x P
Number of Threads Per Inch = n
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The acme thread has a flat root and crest and is generally used for power transmitting
applications. This thread type is not well-suited for plastic applications due to the stress
concentration effects of the sharp corners.

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