New Tapped Hole Size App

We often get requests for the appropriate hole sizes for taps.  While we have a rollform tap hole size chart in the In die tapping resources section of our website, there is a new downloadable app that takes this information to the next level.   North American Tool Corporation has developed a Thread Tap App that can be downloaded to any Apple, Android, Kindle or desktop device.  In addition to hole size information for both cutting and rollform taps, they also give general recommendations for torque and horse power requirements for tapping along with a myriad of other good technical information about taps and tapping.

The app can be downloaded by visiting North American Tool’s website at www.natool.com.   Click on the Mobile Apps button and choose the app for your appropriate operating system.  If you have any additional technical questions or need to order taps please contact us at 800-332-3230.

Tap Change for Hutchison Tool In-die Tapping Units

Tap Change for Hutchison Tool In-die Tapping Units

We often hear that a picture is worth a thousand words.  Enclosed is an educational/training video as to how to change taps and set tap depth height in the Hutchison In-die Tapping Units.  This would be an excellent video to share with your toolroom people, setup personnel and press operators.  Please contact us at info@hutchisontool.com for more information.

Tapping Head Temperatures

In-die Tapping Head Operating Temperatures

As a general rule, most In-die tapping heads run at high production speeds.  In some cases the production speeds can reach up to 200 strokes per minute.  These higher production speeds leads to heat which often brings up questions about how hot the In-die tapping heads can get while in production. 

Normal bearing operating temperatures can range from 80-150F degrees but are rated up to 220F degrees.   Bearing temperatures normally run hotter at start up and right after re-lubrication because excess grease causes friction and drag in the bearing.  Temperature spikes of 50F degrees at start up and 30F degrees after re-lubrication are common.  With all this information our recommendations are not to exceed 170F degrees during continual operation but understanding that there may be spikes up to 200F degrees at startup or re-lubrication. 

New Horizontal In-die Tapping Head

New Horizontal In-die Tapping Head

The overwhelming majority of In-die tapping applications are best suited to be tapped with the tap coming down vertically and tapping the strip in the flat position.   What happens when a hole cannot be tapped in the flat due to concerns of hole distortion after forming or maintaining a hole location after parts are formed?  In the past these would be applications that could not be tapped in the press and would have to go to a costly secondary tapping operation.

The new HTS Model 6300 Horizontal tapping head now allows for tapping of parts in the press that were formerly not possible.   The new HTS Model 6300 is designed specifically to each individual application due to the unique nature of each horizontal tapping application.  Please contact us with your application and we can provide recommendations and technical specifications.

As always, we look forward to hearing from you regarding your In-die tapping, secondary tapping or other tapping applications.  Please contact us at 800-332-3230 or e-mail us at sales@hutchisontool.com

Quick Change Tap Positioning in Press

The most popular feature of our In-die tapping heads is the ability to quickly change taps in the press in under a minute.  It is important when changing taps in the press to change taps consistently at the same ram position in order to maintain the correct tap timing.  We recommend changing the taps when the press is always at top dead center.  This allows for the maximum opening in the press to access the quick change pitch assembly as well as providing a consistent starting position for tap change.

Visual Thread Inspection of Form Threads

Visual Thread Inspection of Form Threads

When using form thread taps it is important to be aware that form threads visually have a slightly different look than a cut thread.  All formed threads have a cup or “U” in the crest due to the nature of the thread forming process.  A properly sized hole should result in a thread percentage of 65-75%.  Tapping with too small of a pre-tap hole size results in excessive tapping torque, tap wear and possible tap breakage.   Enclosed is a link on our website to a tapped hole size guide for rollform taps. (http://www.hutchisontool.com/pdf/tapped_hole_size_guide.pdf)

Extruding and Tapping v. Weld Nuts

Extruding and Tapping v. Weld Nuts

In the never ending quest to reduce manufacturing costs, manufacturers need to weigh function v. cost in most engineering applications.  The use of an extruded and tapped hole v. weld nuts is one of these decisions.   While a weld nut generally will have a slightly stronger thread than an extruded and tapped hole, is the stronger thread required in every application?  Are we adding extra cost of a weld nut when a stronger thread is over kill?

The costs associated with an extruded and tapped hole can be limited when utilizing In-die tapping.  The costs associated would be the cost of the tapping head, an extra station in the die for the tapping head and some additional die design costs.

The costs for weld nuts include nut insertion equipment, die space for the nut insertion equipment, additional die design costs, weld nuts, storage for the weld nuts and nut insertion equipment when not in use and press downtime when loading a new coil of weld nuts.  This generally leads to more press down time compared to a tapping die.  Both In-die tapping and weld nut insertion can run at comparable press speeds.  The end result is parts utilizing In-die tapping v. weld nuts are far more competitive on a per piece basis.

Pilot Locator Guide System

The HTS Follow Along style tapping units offer many advantages when In-die tapping.  Two of which are increased production speed and elimination of longer stripper travel normally associated with standard tapping units.  These advantages are derived by starting the tapping process before the strip is down on die level requiring feeders to be accurate to avoid tap breakage from misaligned feed progression.

Misalignment with modern feeders usually is not an issue due their accuracy; however, there are times when it is advantageous to assure correct strip alignment with a physical pilot.  Complex forms on a part or heavier strip applications are a couple such instances.  It is for these applications that we introduce our new Pilot Locator Guide System.  This system pneumatically advances pilots into the strip before the tap enters to insure the tap is aligned with the hole to be tapped.  The Pilot System is mounted in the tapping station below the tapping head in order to assure correct alignment and movement with the strip as it moves to die level.

Avoid Shipping Untapped Parts to Your Customer While Improving Lubrication in One Package

One of the biggest concerns facing metal stampers when shipping parts with tapped holes is the fear that a part will be shipped to a customer without a tapped hole.  This can lead to costly penalties and expensive sorting and inspection of entire lots or shipments.  In order to avoid these costly headaches, Hutchison Tool supplies tap sensors that are mounted in the tapping station in the die.  By mounting the tap sensor underneath the strip in the tapping station, the tap must pass completely through the tapped hole in order for it to positively activate the sensor.  If there is no activation of the sensor, the press will shut down and stop any untapped parts from getting through the die.

As an added bonus, the tap sensors allow for through the sensor lubrication for added lubrication of taps for tougher applications such as large diameter taps or harder materials.  This extra lubrication from the bottom of the strip has proven to be quite helpful for increased tap life.

To learn more visit us on our website at www.hutchisontool.com or visit our Facebook page  at www.facebook.com/hutchisontool

New Stronger Positive Drive Tap Collet Design

Hutchison Tool is excited to announce that the new stronger positive drive tap collet design, which is a standard feature in our new Model 3000, 3100, 6000 and 6100 units, is now available as a retrofit for older units.

New Stronger Collet Design

Positive Tap Drive

                  

The positive drive tap collet design offers several advantages versus the old draw bar style collet. 

• Positive drive of the tap square off of the meat of the lead screw instead of collet jaws.
• Collet grips tap closer to work area
• Only one collet required when using varying length lead screws