Difficulties of Tapping and Why it’s Easy with FlexArm

Tapping can be difficult and frustrating. From broken taps to damaged threads, the process of tapping can slow down productivity and become very costly in the long run.

There are a variety of tapping methods, and each comes with its own set of difficulties.

Hand tapping

Hand tapping is the simplest way to tap. This method is time-consuming, requires a lot of energy, and is harder to ensure the tap will enter the part square.

Tapping on a Drill Press

A drill press keeps the tap properly aligned with the hole, but requires constant refixturing, resulting in significant time loss.

CNC Tapping

CNCs are versatile pieces of machinery, and often a popular choice when tapping. Between the tap geometries and cutting speeds, a whole set of challenges could arise.

A popular form of CNC tapping is rigid tapping. Many choose this option when they need to maintain tight tolerances, but if conditions are not ideal, you may be at greater risk of breaking a tap.

Tension compression tapping helps reduces the risk of broken taps by compensating for slight movements of the tap when entering a hole. Springs allow the tap to float without affecting the pitch. However, the springs could wear over time, resulting in unpredictable thread depths.

Thread milling on a CNC

Thread milling can utilize a single tool to make a wide range of hole sizes, which helps save on tooling costs. However, thread milling is a slow process that adds additional minutes to the cycle time.

Tapping Arm

Tapping arms are a great option because a part can move through the process more quickly and free up that expensive machine time.

What makes tapping so easy with a FlexArm?

  • – The tap is always at 90 Degrees to ensure accurate threading.
  • – An adjustable torque clutch enables the tap to stop turning when it encounters any obstruction that can cause breakage.
  • – The arm counterbalances the weight of the motor and absorbs torque to reduce fatigue and injury.
  • – A quick-change chuck allows operators to quickly change tap sizes without changing gears, head height, or stops.

Our solutions ship turn-key and can be set up in a matter of minutes. Save time, money, tools, and materials by freeing up your machining center and letting the FlexArm do the job it was meant to do.

If you are ready to stop breaking taps or looking to take your tapping operations outside the CNC machine give us a call at 1-800-837-2503 or Request a Free Quote today.

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Standard Features

  • Hand Pendant
  • 22″ Touch Screen Monitor
  • Omron FlexCNC Controller
  • Mobile Control Panel
  • Through Spindle Coolant 
  • Auto Tool Changer 
  • Flood Coolant
HP
Max RPM
FT/LBS
Series

18

4000

92

C-20-02 / C-10-02

18

6000

61

C-20-02 / C-10-02

33

12000

61

CM-20-02

Auto Stand-Off – This is currently defined to be surface stand-off and not to be confused with vector stand-off in 5-axis mode. The current auto stand-off is based on a changing surface and will adjust vertically based on the angle of the “A” Axis, so there is five (5) axis taken into account during the calculations, but this is not the same as the tool vector stand-off. There is the ability to do the vector stand-off change while the machine is running manually with buttons on the screen.

Z-Reader Probe – The Z-Reader is a device for mapping the location of the surface. It can be controlled manually & programmatically. The option is NOT active while cutting & is retracted out of harm’s way. It can be triggered to verify the surface at every pierce before the cutting process starts, or it could be used to drive surface mapping of the whole part before cutting starts. It begins with initialization or zeroing of the device to the surface at the beginning of a program and then accumulates or tracks the difference from that zeroing effort.

Automatic Edge Finder – The edge finder is or can be utilized manually (Jogging Method & Screen Buttons), programmatically (M & G codes), or fully automatic routine (dedicated program). This option sets offsets & program rotation to match the orientation & location on the cutting table.

AC Unit Installed on Electrical Cabinet – The unit is mounted on the cabinet’s High Power (480v) side. It is close to the location where the drives are mounted. This option keeps the cabinet temperature stable and allows heat dissipation faster. The servo drives for all axes are the most significant contributors to heat inside the electrical cabinet.

5-Axis Renishaw CalibrationThe calibration unit is a Renishaw model APCA45 with a modified spherical stylus. The device has a retractable cover and air purge to clear debris & dust during the activation process. It mounts to a swing arm controlled by a pneumatic rotary, so it is out of the way during regular operation and swings into the calibration position for calibration only. 

HP
Max RPM
FT/LBS
Series

18

4000

92

G-20-06 / G-10-06

18

6000

61

G-20-06 / -10-06

40

4000

217

GM-20-06 / G-20-06 / G-10-06

40

6000

145

G-20-06 / G-20-06 / G-10-06