ACMEGewinde

AcmeGewinde, commonly known as the Acme thread, refers to a trapezoidal screw thread profile used primarily for power screws and leadscrews. It was developed in the United States and later standardized for industrial use. The profile is characterized by a trapezoidal cross-section with a 29-degree included angle, producing flank angles of about 14.5 degrees on each side. This geometry provides a strong, wear-tolerant thread form that is easier to machine than a square thread.

Forms and sizes are typically specified for inch-based hardware under the Acme designation, with variants such as standard Acme and stub Acme. Acme threads can be single-start or multi-start, offering different pitches to convert rotational motion into linear motion at various speeds and load capacities. The form is designed to be manufactured with conventional single-point threading tools, which contributes to its widespread adoption in power transmission applications.

Standards and tolerances are defined in ANSI/ASME B1.5 for Acme screw threads, with communicated tolerance classes that control major diameter, pitch, and flank geometry. In many regions, metric trapezoidal threads serve as international equivalents, sharing the same general geometry and purpose but using metric units and slightly different standard tolerances.

Applications and considerations: Acme Gewinde is widely used in leadscrews for machine tools, jacks, clamps, vises, and stage equipment due to its favorable combination of strength, wear resistance, and manufacturing practicality. Proper lubrication and wear management are important to maintain performance, and common failure modes include wear, galling, or pitch deviation in poorly aligned assemblies.