Introduction
Specialist topic: An exciting overview of thread rolling... The basics, tools, and applications of rolled high-tech threads
Eichenberger publishes a technology blog series in which we introduce you to the world of chipless thread production using the thread rolling method.
We are committed to making a positive contribution to the competitiveness of your product. With our passion for perfect movement, we challenge the limits of what is technically feasible. Find out why experienced thread rollers are sought-after specialists whose work cannot be copied very quickly or easily.
Great technology, great benefits – Cold-rolled precision
When people hear the term "thread", most of them, whether technical laypeople, designers, or thread manufacturers, think of the external thread of a screw, which can be used to create both fixed and removable connections. However, in addition to the fastening thread, there is also the motion thread of a threaded or screw spindle. And that is the main focus of this book.
Thread production...
Common manufacturing processes for threads include machining and chipless production methods. The disadvantage of the former method is that the fiber orientation of the material is interrupted The fact that the strength of the component is impaired in the process is of little importance in the case of mass-produced screws. During the chipless production process, the fiber of the material is merely deflected; threads that are produced using this method are therefore suitable for high-tech applications with very high loads.
...using thread rolling
We have described the chipless thread production of thread rolling in nine technology blog articles. Thread rolling is the term that is also used in the relevant standards, and is the term that we will use in these blogs.
Thread rolling is defined as the chipless production of a helical profile that is pressed into the lateral surface of a cylindrical blank. This type of cold forming is based on generating high compressive stresses using one or more profile tools imprinting their profile into the blank (Fig. 1). The resulting geometries are very precise and have a high surface quality. Work hardening leads to higher mechanical strength of the thread.
Fig. 1: Thread rolling tools with rolled screw spindles
High-tech thread...
Mass-produced parts are not the only products manufactured by thread rolling; even the thread of a mass-produced fastening screw is almost exclusively rolled today, as well as special one-off products. The latter are worth considering because components working at the limit of their load capacity justify a high set-up effort. As high-tech applications benefit from the manual art of thread rolling, the following technology blog chapters primarily deal with the production of small and medium-sized series.
...for moving and mounting
Rolled screw spindles are currently experiencing a renaissance wherever fixed and precisely reproducible movements are required. Mechanical motion systems with rolled threads are not only sturdy and precise, but also significantly cheaper to manufacture than most (electronic) alternatives. High-tech applications for fastening threads include those with high safety requirements. The applicable standards often only allow the use of rolled threads.
Eichenberger – your service provider right from the start
With Eichenberger, you can implement your individual requirements for a screw thread right from the start of development. Don't hesitate to contact us before you even know what you need. We will be happy to work with you to develop a customized solution for your thread system. Contact one of our experts directly, we are there for you right from the start.
> Contact us now without any obligation and find out more
With state-of-the-art production methods, many years of expertise and a tool inventory of over 1,000 rolling tools, we produce rolled screw drives that meet even the most unusual requirements:
- Gradients up to 6x in diameter
- Slope accuracy class G5
- Spindle lengths up to 6 meters
- Spindle diameter from 2 to 160 millimeters
- All standard profiles (M, Tr, UNC, UNF, UNEF, Whitworth)
- Multi-start threads, also as right/left-hand threads
- Steep thread profiles
- Ball screw profiles
- Special profiles
- Worm thread profiles (special quality and price advantages!)
- Serrations and knurling
- Conical thread
- Threads on prefabricated and/or bulky parts, e.g., also on forged parts
- Freely designed thread geometry
- Responding to customer requirements, such as tailored nut geometry
Eichenberger leaves nothing to chance and places the highest value on quality. This is what has been impressing our customers since 1953. See for yourself!
> 100% Swiss Quality
> Thread specialist since 1953
Literature and sources
The nine blog articles contain excerpts from the Library of Technology, Volume 286, Thread Rolling. This book was compiled with the expert support of Kurt Husistein and published by Verlag Moderne Industrie, ISBN 978-3-937889-30-6.
Kübler, Karl-Heinz, Mages Walter J. Handbuch der hochfesten Schrauben, 1. Aufl. Essen: W. Girardet Buchverlag, 1986.
http://www.hp-gramatke.de/ Hans-Peters Mathematisch-Technisch-Algorithmisch-Linguistisches Sammelsurium.Verein Deutscher Eisenhüttenleute (Hrsg.): Werkstoffkunde Stahl, Bd. 1 Berlin: Springer, 1984. Apel, Heinz: Gewindewalzen: Kaltverformen von Präzisionsgewinden und Spindeln, München: Hanser 1952.
© 2007 Alle Rechte bei sv corporate media, D-80992 München
Abbildungen: Nr. 1, 23-25 RWT Rollwalztechnik GmbH, Engen; Nr. 2 Foto Deutsches Museum, München; Nr. 3 Musée du tour automatique et d'histoire de Moutier, Moutier (Schweiz); Nr. 16 Fette GmbH, Schwarzenbek; Nr. 18 Meinrad Plaz, Staufen (Schweiz); Nr. 26 Habegger SA, Court (Schweiz); Nr. 34-36 FBT Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau AG, Thörigen (Schweiz); Nr. 37, 38 Schleuniger AG, Thun (Schweiz); Nr. 39, 40 Max-Planck-Institut für Physik (Heisenberg-Institut), München; Nr. 41 Saurer AG, Arbon (Schweiz); Nr. 42 Line Tech AG, Glattbrugg (Schweiz); alle übrigen Eichenberger Gewinde AG, Burg (Schweiz). Satz: abavo GmbH, D-86807 Buchloe. Druck und Bindung: Sellier Druck GmbH, D-85354 Freising. Printed in Germany 889030.
