Analytical investigations of the accuracy of the small diameter tool-joint tapered thread made by a lathe machining

The drill string consists of connected drill pipes and other elements. The connection is carried out by screwing of the drill string elements with the help of tool-joint tapered thread. The operational characteristics of the drill pipes depend of the manufacture precision of these tool-joints mostly. The accuracy of the thread is regulated by the accuracy of its profile and the accuracy of its pitch diameter value. The accuracy of the tapered thread manufacturing on the lathe in its depending on the values of the geometric parameters of the lathe tool and the values of deviations of its installation relatively to the workpiece axis is investigated. It is proved that for the tapered thread of form VI profile used for connection of drill pipes with the diameter from 30 mm to 44 mm the most influential factor, in relation to the accuracy of the thread profile is the value of the rake angle. Application of the rake angle value up to -5° according to the research data leads to a deviation from the specified profile of 0.3°, which is more than 35% of the declared standard tolerance on deviations from the profile. Also, the influence of the back rake angle value on the value of the deviation from the standard pitch diameter of the thread is proved. It is proved that the magnitude of the tangential displacement of the nose of the cutter relatively to the axis of the thread up to -0.2 mm can cause a deviation of the profile angle of 0.18°, which is 27% of the standard tolerance.