How to Quickly & Easily Thread Rebar

HOW TO THREAD REBAR?

Rebar is found in nearly every concrete and masonry structure in the United States. Global Market Insights reports that the United States produced over 7 million metric tons of rebar just in 2018 alone. Threaded rebar is often used, but currently, there are limited options to quickly and easily thread rebar. However, the FlexArm can handle even the most challenging threading and tapping applications. 

At Flex Machine Tools, we like to find tapping solutions for almost any tapping application. When a company came to us looking for a quick and easy solution for threading rebar, we jumped at the opportunity to test a material that hasn’t yet been tested on a FlexArm.

Getting threads onto the ends of rebar can be challenging, and only a limited number of companies are capable of doing this. The irregularities of surface finish, softness, brittleness, and length of the material makes the threading process difficult for even a master machinist. Our goal was to show the end-user the wide-ranging capabilities of the FlexArm.

Threading Rebar with FlexArm

For this tap test, we chose the  GHM-24 with a quick-change die holder. The multi-position head (signified with the ‘M’ in GHM) is an excellent option because it allows the user to easily tap the ends of rebar by simply adjusting the multi-head to the horizontal position.

The threading process went as expected. The FlexArm quickly and efficiently threaded the material. It was as easy as lining the die over the rebar and pressing the button. After checking the threads, we confirmed that the FlexArm is an appropriate tool to create external threads in such  challenging material.

If you are experiencing any similar problems or just looking to speed up your tapping process, give us a call at 1-800-837-2503 or schedule a tap test today.

Watch the videos of the rebar threading process below. 

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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