One of the most common tasks we perform as machinists is adding threaded surfaces to a workpiece. Many shops are accustomed to performing this delicate process with traditional taps and dies. While the method was once thought to be efficient, new technologies have shown to produce better, more accurate, and faster results.
This is especially true for CNC machining and thread milling. Thread milling with solid carbide thread mills has assisted in the resolution of many issues encountered when creating threads with taps and dies. Taping, for example, makes chip evacuation difficult because it restricts escape routes to flutes that can become clogged. Tool failure during tapping usually necessitates rescuing the bit inside the piece and, in many cases, completely scrapping costly pieces and material.
Internal and external threads can be machined with ease using specially designed carbide thread mills, without having to worry about chip evacuation or scrapping parts due to tool failure. This makes them extremely versatile and efficient, as you can use the same tool for multiple diameters and thread pitches depending on your preference. Because of the nature of carbide, these tools can be used at high speeds and temperatures, speeding up the threading process and allowing shops to have a higher stack of finished pieces at the end of the shift.
Thread milling with solid carbide full form cutters can produce incredible results for operations that require uniformity, such as standardized NPT pipe threading. Full-form thread mills have a series of teeth or cutting points that run the length of the cut. The distance between these cutting points is determined by the pitch of the tool. This means that the cut can quickly create uniform and perfectly finished threads by cutting a full threaded surface in a single pass that moves vertically by the thread’s pitch.
Single-pitch thread mills are the best option for expanding your tool catalog for operations that require more versatility, such as creating several threaded surfaces with different pitches. They differ from full-form cutters in that they only have a single cutting point at the tip. To complete the cut, the tool must trace along the length of the surface.
The process is slower than using full-form cutters, but it allows the machinist to change the pitch even mid-cut, allowing him to perform multiple operations with a single tool. They are also better suited for delicate cuts on thin-walled components, as well as difficult angles and threaded surfaces on overhang sections.
When purchasing any milling tools, look for high-performance solid carbide tool makers. Because of its increased hardness, sharpness retention, and accuracy, carbide is the preferred material for thread mills. Solid carbide thread mills produce better surface finishes and increased durability, allowing shops to consistently produce high-quality threads faster.
However, not all suppliers are created equal. This means you should buy your tools from reputable suppliers and manufacturers who have your best interests in mind. Online Carbide is an American cutting tool manufacturer that produces a wide range of high-end carbide thread mills in the United States.
Online Carbide makes more than just solid carbide thread mills. They offer carbide tools for a variety of applications such as spot drilling, end milling, chamfering, and much more. Visit www.onlinecarbide.com today to take advantage of their low manufacturer direct prices and high quality.
