APIthreadmeasurement

1-4

THREAD MEASUREMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR

4 A.P.I INTERNAL FLUSH PIN & BOX
This thread measurement instruction is intended for use with FMS pitch diameter thread measurement inserts and
accessories. Although care has been exercised in the preparing and writing this instruction it should be noted that
no responsibility or liability can be taken by us for any defects or faults due to any incorrect information in this
instruction.
EXTERNAL THREADS
d = Major diameter
d2 = Pitch diameter
d1 = Minor diameter
Standard denominations used
for screw threads

INTERNAL THREADS
D = Major diameter
D2 = Pitch diameter
D1 = Minor diameter
P = Pitch
= Flank angle

4 A.P.I INTERNAL FLUSH PIN

4 A.P.I INTERNAL FLUSH BOX

2-4

The nominal thread pitch diameter (d2/D2) for a 4 TPI API thread is found by subtracting 0.2703 (6,864 mm)
from the thread diameter 5.250 (133,35 mm) at a distance of 1 (25,4 mm), at a point perpendicular to the
axis at the measurement point.
The nominal pitch diameter for a 4 TPI API thread is found by subtracting 0.1036 (0.2631 mm) from the outside
thread diameter at any point perpendicular to the axis at the measurement point.
The nominal diameter of a 4 A.P.I INTERNAL FLUSH PIN at a distance of 1 (25,4 mm) from the shoulder is
5.250 0.166667 = 5.0833 (133,35 mm 129,116 mm) and the nominal pitch diameter at the same
distance is 5.250 (2 x 0.0518) 0.166667 = 4.9797 (126,485 mm).

PIN

BOX

PITCH DIAMETER d2/D2 TOLERANCES FOR AN 4 A.P.I INTERNAL FLUSH

Nominal
Max.
Min.
inches
4.9797
4.9797
4.9771
mm
126,484
126,484
126,418
Nominal
Max.
Min.
inches
4.9797
4.9813
4.9797
mm
126,484
126,525
126,484

Tolerance
0.0026
0,066
Tolerance
0.0016
0,041

Thread pitch diameter measurement of an A.P.I. Internal Flush thread

with special FMS thread inserts
External thread (d2)
Using a special FMS digital caliper or a standard digital
caliper with mounted insert holders, push the thread
measurement inserts against each other and zero the
caliper. Use of a FMS caliper pressure device is
recommended when both doing this and when
measuring. Correct zeroing can be verified by using a
FMS calibration plate.
Measure the thread pitch diameter where the bottom of
the thread inserts are as as close ass possible to the
shoulder as shown opposite . The measurement result
shown on the caliper display is the actual pitch
diameter.

Internal thread (D2)

Using a special FMS digital caliper (YTMT203) or a

standard digital caliper with mounted insert holders,
use a FMS calibration plate and zero the caliper when
the thread measurement inserts are in contact with
the calibration plate. Use of a FMS caliper pressure
device is recommended when both doing this and
when measuring.
Measure the thread pitch diameter where the bottom
of the thread inserts are as as close ass possible to
the shoulder as shown opposite . As the calibration
plate internal size is 2 add this to the measurement
result displayed. This will give the actual pitch
diameter.

3-4
Important:
As the accuracy of a digital caliper used in a normal manner is not compatible with the accuracy required for
measurement of API thread pitch diameters it is recommended that the caliper be calibrated (checked) to see how
far off (and if in fact it is) from the true measurement at the relevant diameter/length. This can then be taken into
account when measuring and if necessary, compensation taken. A digital caliper, when used for comparative
measurement, is accurate to within 0.0004 / 0,01 mm. It is vital that the same measurement pressure is applied
when calibrating and when measuring and this can be achieved using a FMS caliper pressure device.
Reference 4 A.P.I. Internal Flush Pin and Box threads can be made for transfer measurement i.e. make them
within the normal pitch diameter tolerances at a 1 measurement depth and use them to check caliper
measurement accuracy. Most calibration facilities should be able to issue a certificate stating pitch diameter (d2/D2)
at a specified depth to less than 0.0004 / 0,01 mm.
The drawings below show one possibility for making 4 API Internal Flush threaded component for use as
references. These should be sent for calibration before use.
External pitch diameter reference

Internal pitch diameter reference

The drawings above show one possibility for making 4 API Internal Flush threaded reference components for use
as references. The one for external pitch diameter should be made as close to the max. pitch diameter as possible
(4.9797 +0/-0.0004 /126,484mm +0/-0,01mm) and the internal as close to the min. pitch diameter
(4.9797 +0.0004/-0 /126,484mm +0,01mm/-0) as possible. These should be sent for calibration before
use. They can then be used to calibrate the FMS thread measurement inserts before use.

API 4 TPI thread measurement components

Internal pitch diameter

Calibration plate 4 TPI

External pitch diameter

Taper template

4-4

Zeroing for external pitch diameter measurement without using a calibration plate

Zeroing for external pitch diameter measurement using a calibration plate.

This is recommended to minimize possible caliper inaccuracy.
N.B. d2 is 1 (1.000) so this must be added to the final measurement result when using the calibration plate.

Zeroing for internal pitch diameter measurement using calibration plate.

This is necessary as virtually all internal measuring equipment requires a reference component.
N.B. D2 is 2 (2.000) so this must be added to the final measurement result
When calibrating and measuring, the use of the caliper pressure device
is strongly recommended to ensure a constant measurement pressure.

WWW.F-M-S.DK