US Patent 7484920 Thread-forming screw

A thread-forming screw (11; 21; 31; 51), has a stem (12) with at least one thread (14; 24; 34; 54) arranged, at least regionwise, over its circumference, and a plurality of cutting elements (16; 26; 36; 56) arranged in a respective plurality of recesses (15; 25; 35; 55) formed in the at least one thread (14; 24; 34; 54), with the cutting elements (16; 26; 36; 56) having a hardness greater than a hardness of the at least one thread (14; 24; 34; 54) and formed as weld beads received in the recesses (15; 25; 35; 55).