Does Metal Flowing Improve Tool Life When Tapping?
Regal Cutting Tools “Metflo” forming taps provide thread production without the interference of chip removal. Stronger threads are produced as the material flow follows the thread profile of the tap. With the correct drilled hole oversize thread production is eliminated. Based on the material being tapped, some experimentation may be required after gaging the sample finished part to ensure full thread form, due to the flow characteristics of the material being threaded.
The absence of producing chips means no flutes are necessary in the tap resulting in a much stronger tool. Tool life is significantly improved often lasting three to ten times the life of a cutting tap in the same production. Less tool breakage and faster speeds are benefits improving productivity in cycle and machine downtime.
There are a few conditions that are critical to successful use of Regal’s “Metflo” forming taps:
- The material being threaded must have enough elasticity to be formed.
- To produce a specific class of fit, the hole size must be larger than the size recommended for the same size cutting tap.
Charts for the correct hole size are available on Regal’s website or from customer service. A hole that is too big will result in an incomplete thread form and hole that is too small most likely will result in tap breakage. Determining the best hole size is often a case of trying different sizes to find the best solution.
“Metflo” taps are available in standard machine screw, inch and metric sizes from #4 and up to 3 /4” of an inch in diameter. Popular special sizes and completely special designs are available by request in either high speed steel or particle metal materials.
“Metflo” form tapping can save money and increase productivity. Regal Cutting Tools offers high performance particle metal taps in the SuperTuf MF-DA style that demonstrate extreme toughness and resistance to overheating. Offered in DIN overall length, they are 15% to 25% longer than standard tap lengths and have a reduced neck behind the thread providing tapping depths longer than the thread length.