September 23, 2022 00:46
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.
Posted September 23, 2022 00:46
April 8, 2021 08:23
When it comes to creating threaded surfaces quickly and precisely, it is hard to beat thread milling. The speed and accuracy of computer numerical control milling machines, combined with the right cutting tools, can take the threading process from taking minutes to only a few seconds. For machinists who want the best possible results with regards to thread milling, solid carbide thread mills are the clear option.
Before we get into the differences between carbide and steel tools, it is important to understand the thread milling process. Specialized end mills are used from producing threads and they typically come in two designs. Full form thread mills are one of the fastest and most efficient options on the market because they can cut an entire threaded surface in seconds. These cutters feature rows of point cutting teeth and are designed to finish an entire threaded surface that is the length of the cutters in one 360 degree pass.
While these tools are extremely efficient, their versatility is limited. Each full form thread mill can only cut threads of a simple pitch size that is determined by the spacing of the cutting teeth along the length of the end mill's surface. If you want a tool that is slightly more versatile, you need to use a single pitch thread mill. These tools have only a single cutting point, which makes them capable of cutting different thread pitches, though they do take longer due to having to trace the entire threads surface. They can also be used to thread areas on thin walled surfaces and unstable overhangs due to their smaller cutting surface.
Now that you understand a little more about these tools, it's time to look at their composition. Both of these styles of thread mills are fairly long tools. Length is the enemy of stability when it comes to milling tools, as longer tools tend to oscillate when used at high rotational speeds. This can lead to finished surfaces with a poor finish.
One of the best ways to reduce tool oscillation is to use solid carbide thread mills. While tools made from high speed steel alloys are often a more affordable option, carbide is nearly twice as rigid as steel. This is a result of the fact that carbide tools are made with a combination of This means that when operating at high rotational speeds, carbide thread mills will spin almost perfectly centered instead of wobbling significantly while they spin. This will produce more accurate threads so your components can interlock easily.
If you need to find some great solid carbide thread mills for your shop, all you have to do is visit www.onlinecarbide.com. They specialize in solid carbide end mills and drill bits and their thread mills are second to none. If you have any questions about any of the tools they offer, feel free to send an email to sales@onlinecarbide.com.
Posted April 8, 2021 08:23