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Tapping

Tapping services at Midwest Metal Fabrication.

Tapping is the process of cutting internal threads into a workpiece’s round hole with a multi-point tool to produce uniform helical threads. Depending on the machinery used, either the tap or the workpiece can rotate in relation to the other. A hole smaller than the major diameter of the tapped thread must already have been drilled.

• Tapping overview
• Tapping process characteristics
• Materials
• Tapping diameter
• Workpiece geometry/shapes
• Workholding
• Tool style
• Tool materials
• Part sizes
• Part weight
• Tolerances
• Lubricating and cooling fluids
• Complementary services

Tapping overview

Midwest Metal Fabrication utilizes tapping to place internal threads into cylindrical shaped pieces, flat workpieces, and nuts. Our tapping equipment is standard containing drive motors, spindles, feed mechanisms, and tap holders. We hold regular pieces in a vise and create or utilize existing fixtures for irregularly shaped workpieces that must be tapped.

Tapping process characteristics

The tapping fabricating process:

• Produces internal helical threads,
• Requires an appropriate pre-drilled hole in the workpiece prior to tapping,
• Uses an accurate multipoint cutting tool,
• Produces mall metal chips as a result of the tapping, and
• Requires tool lubrication for proper results.

Materials

Midwest Metal Fabrication’s machinists can tap aluminum, bronze, cast iron, mild steel, and stainless steel. However, we most frequently tap steel.

We can also tap T1 and T2 aluminum, brass, copper, galvannealed, high strength, low alloy, and galvanized steel.

Tapping diameter

Midwest Metal Fabrication personnel are capable of tapping workpiece diameters from 1/4” to 3”.

Workpiece geometry/shapes

The graphic on the right shows some of the typical workpieces before and after undergoing the tapping process. There are a variety of thread cutting taps that can be used and each one is designed to perform a specific operation.

Workholding

Normally, our machinists use standard drill jigs, pneumatic vises, or quick acting vises to hold the workpiece during tapping operations.

Tool style

Midwest Metal Fabrication machinists utilize a variety of taps including:

• Straight flute taps,
• Spiral taps,
• Gun taps,
• Pipe taps,
• Adjustable taps,
• Collapsible taps, and
• Other types of taps depending on customer requirements.

Tool materials

Our machine tools are made out of high speed steel (HSS). We normally use type 1 and Type 2 steel having found it suitable for most customer tapping requirements.

Part sizes

We can tap parts or components up to 2’ W x 3’ L x 6” H.

Part weight

Midwest Metal Fabrication can tap fabricated parts or components that weight up to 10 lbs.

Tolerances

Factors that affect the tolerances and surface finish that Midwest Metal Fabrication machinists can achieve include the workpiece material, cutting speed, and the cutting fluid used.

The table below shows the pitch diameter limits for Class1, Class 2, and Class 3 taps less than 1” in diameter.

Lubricating and cooling fluids

Midwest Metal Fabrication recognizes the extreme importance of cutting fluid use during tapping operations. Tap teeth can be easily damaged from heat buildup and workpiece chip congestion. We utilize a number of cutting fluids to reduce heat buildup and to reduce cutting friction that varies depending on the material being tapped.

Complementary services

We offer drilling, turning, milling, and grooving among other complementary machining services for our custom fabricated metal parts or components.

Call us today at 1-219-931-3131, email us at sales@midwestmetalfabrication.com, or send a fax using 1-219-844-8512 to get a quick quote to help solve your heavy gauge steel fabricating problems.

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