Design Assistance and Review are Keys to Success for In-Die Tapping

Design Assistance/Review Key to Successful In-die Tapping

While In-die tapping heads are not difficult to incorporate into die designs, the limited amount of experience most die designers have with In-die tapping brings up several questions.  Our engineering team is always ready to assist your designers through the design process.  In addition, we use several tools including our Die Design Checklist as well as on line meetings via GoToMeeting.com to facilitate the design process.  Finally, we utilize GoToMeeting.com for a final die review of the tapping station with your design team to head off any issues ahead of cutting steel.   Hutchison Tool understands that the success our company can only be built on the success of our customers!

Tapping Today’s New Advanced High Strength Steels(AHSS)

The continuous drive for weight reduction in the automotive industry has led to a new generation of Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS).    While these new steels offer the advantage of a stronger yet lighter steel, they also pose production challenges.  Metalforming Magazine’s May cover story “Understanding the New, Stronger Automotive Steels” is a very informative article about such advantages and challenges of working with AHSS.

Tapping AHSS

The tool life challenges metal stampers face when forming AHSS are the same for tapping it.  Tap material and cutting speeds are two vital variables in determining tapping success. Hutchison Tool recommends using taps made from harder tooling material to reduce tap wear when working with these new steels. The expansion of cutting tool materials (HSCO and PM materials) and coatings available will provide longer lasting tool life when tapping AHSS. 

For optimal tapping the cutting speeds (SFM) used for Advanced High Strength Steels should be in the 2/3 range of the tapping speeds for 1008-1010 material. Hutchison Tool can assist you in determining the best tap and appropriate cutting speed for all your tapping applications.

As always, we welcome the opportunity to work with you on your tapping applications.  Please contact us at 800-332-3230 or you can e-mail at sales@hutchisontool.com.

Reduce Part Weight by Extruding and Tapping

Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards are becoming more stringent every year requiring a constant drive to improve fuel economy any way possible.  Among the most popular ways of improving fuel economy is weight reduction. 

How can extruding and tapping lead to weight reduction?  

When a threaded hole is required in stamped parts the two most common processes are extruding & tapping and adding weld nuts. Anytime something is added to a part weight is added.  While the minute weight of one weld nut may seem insignificant, add up all weld nuts throughout a vehicle the sum total can become a real weight savings.

There are factors to consider when looking at extruded/tapped holes v. weld nuts including number of threads required and pull test requirements.  If a weld nut is not spec’d as necessary then extrusion & tapping is the best alternative for reducing the weight of a part.

Of course, the most economical way of tapping extruded holes in stamped parts is In-die Tapping.  Hutchison Tool Sales is the in-die tapping industry expert and welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with you on reducing your manufacturing costs and supplying your customers with lighter parts. Contact us today 800-332-3230.