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.
