Common Issues During Tapping and How to Avoid Them
Thread tapping, or the process of cutting threads into a hole in order to form an internal screw thread, is an integral part of the production and manufacture of many components. The most common issue that is encountered with thread tapping is breaking of taps, which is caused by insufficient lubrication, material hardness, incorrect speed, incorrect hole size and incorrect thread size. In order to minimise the times when this happens, there are some measures that can be taken.
Lubrication
The first measure that can be taken to reduce the chances of a broken tap is to lubricate the working area adequately. This should be done even when tapping metals that are not particularly prone to sticking and galling. Using a proper, high-quality coolant results in a low coefficient of friction at the cutting surfaces and prevents chips from building up. If a dry tap is used, problems such as torn threads or broken taps can often result.
Material Hardness
Using the correct material for the job is also important when thread tapping. In general, the higher the material hardness, the more difficult it is to tap. If the material is too soft, then it is easy to break or strip the threads of the tap. It is important to ensure that the tap is the right type and size for the material that it is being used on.
Speed
Another factor to consider is the speed at which the tap is run. The speed has to be chosen carefully so that the tapping process is done properly without causing any problems. If the speed is set too high, then the chances of breaking taps can increase drastically. The speed should be set according to the type of material and size of the hole that are being used.
Hole Size
The hole size is another factor that needs to be taken into consideration when tapping. The hole should be the correct size for the tap that is being used; otherwise, there can be problems such as the tap binding, resulting in a broken tap.
Thread Size
One last factor to consider when thread tapping is the size of the thread. Too large or too small threads can cause problems with both the tap and the finished product. The tap should be chosen according to the size of the thread that is being created.
Conclusion
Thread tapping is an important process in the production of many components; however, it can often cause problems if the right procedures are not taken. By ensuring that the material is the correct hardness, lubrication is adequate, speed is correct, hole size is correct, and thread size is correct, then the chances of problems such as broken taps can be minimised.
