Check List for Good Tapping
www.tapmatic.ch
Tapping is a specialized field with unique challenges and tapping technology changes continuously but the basics necessary for good tapping remain the same. For the best results, the key areas to analyze are the work piece, the tap, the machine tool, the tapping attachment or tap chuck and the set up. Work piece: Q Is the core hole drilled to the correct size? Q Will it be a through or a blind hole? Q If tapping a blind hole, does drilled depth allow sufficient chip clearance to keep tap from bottoming out in hole? Q Is the work piece rigidly held against rotation and upward movement? Q What is the material and hardness of the work piece? Tap: Q Do you have the correct tap design for the application? Q What are the tap size and style? Q What material is the tap made from? Is the tap sharp? Q Is the tap properly aligned with the drilled hole? Q Is there sufficient clearance between the tap and the hole to allow for retraction? Q Who is the tap manufacturer? What speed does he recommend for optimum performance of his tap in this material? Machine tool: Q Is machine stop set so the tap releases in neutral to prevent bottoming? Q Is the machine retraction correct for the tapping attachment being used? Q Is the torque control set to prevent tap breakage? Q What type of machine is in use, what is the horse power and the spindle taper? Q Is the work piece rigidly held to prevent displacing due to the high torque when tapping? Q Are machine feed and speed set correctly? Q Is the proper cutting fluid being used for lubricating the tap?
Do not lengthen the stop arm, it could break off.
Do wear protective goggles. Do not wear loose clothes close by rotating spindles.
Installation: Q With a self-reversing tap chuck for manual or CNC operations, it is important to make sure that stop arm is strong enough to prevent torque bar from bending or deflecting. Machine torque bar must be stronger than largest tap. Q If a torque control attachment is being used, is torque set correctly so that tap will not break if accidentally bottomed? Q If depth control feature is employed, is it set correctly to cooperate with machine stop, provide total thread depth required and prevent engagement with bottom? Q Is clearance between the drilled hole and tap sufficient at start position to allow the tap to clear the hole upon retraction? Q Is the stop dwell disengaged or at least set to a minimum?
Check list
Never hold the stop arm by hand: risk of injury.
Tapping attachment: Q Is the correct TAPMATIC tapping attachment or tap chuck being used for the specific job requirements? Q Is machine retraction correct for the tapping attachment being used? Q Never perform any installation or programming, before reading the operator instructions for the tapping attachment and the machine as well as the tap manufacturer’s recommendations.
Do not hold the work piece or vice by hand, they must be clamped.
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