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reversals per tapped hole really pays off for you, your parts and your machine.
News Flash! CASE HISTORY FILE: 032816 THORLABS
Background: Thorlabs, a leading manufacturer of photonics products, was founded in 1989 to serve the laser and electro-optics research market. Thorlabs produces approxi- mately 20,000 different products. At Thorlabs LTD (UK) in Ely, Cambridge, aluminum tooling plates are manufactured which may include more than 1000 M6x1or 1/4-20 roll formed tapped holes. Originally, all holes were tapped by reversing the machine spindle using rigid tapping.
Application Requirements: Weekly volume between 45,000 and 60,000 tapped holes. Tap Size: M6x1 and 1/4-20 roll forms to 12.7mm depth. Material: 5083 aluminum. Machine: Hartford Blockbuster pro 3150AG, Haas VF6SS (Quad Pallet), Haas VF4, Vertical CNC Machining Centers. Tapping Speed: 1300 RPM. Feed: 100% of pitch.
Problem: Thorlabs determined that evaluations were needed in order to reduce cycle time. Rigorous quality control on pitch diameter/effective diameter, bruising/defor- mation and minimal thread pitch elongation also needed to be considered. Reduction of machine spindle wear due to constant spindle reversal is also a factor when rigid tapping holes of this quantity.
Solution: Multiple high-speed self-reversing tapping heads from different manufactur- ers were tested. Tapmatic models RCT50 and RDTIC50 were the preferred choice. They de- livered on all the above cycle time and quality factors and were most repeatable and reliable.
Benefits: “Tapping cycle time reduced by 46%, time reduced from 3.5 seconds per hole to 1.9 seconds. Repeatability is good and reliability is good which leads to a high level of confidence when leaving machines to run lights out operation. The Tapmatic units have yet to malfunction after three years of use. A very well engineered and built product for the ap- plication that it is meant for.”
TAPMATIC Corporation, 802 Clearwater loop, Post Falls, ID, 83854 TEL: 800-854-6019, FAX: 208-773-3021, EMAIL:
info@tapmatic.com,
www.tapmatic.com
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