Over the years, many of our customers have come to us because they were regularly breaking taps.

This meant that the holes had to go from a depth of .150" to .190". The 2-56UN thread’s major diameter was .086", and the drill diameter .070".

Repeatability was nearly impossible on his CNC equipment, and he literally came in every Saturday to tap the holes by hand. When he started talking with us, he was breaking his taps after only 20 holes — an extraordinarily short tool life.

By re-examining his technology, and switching to Carmex Precision thread milling, he was able to accomplish the threading of 683 holes with a single thread-mill on his CNC equipment.

Despite the number of passes, the wear factor between the first and the last holes could only be measured in tenths, and the customer was able to get the thread detail back to its original .150" full thread depth. Perhaps just as important, his Saturdays are now “tap-free.”

We are very excited to announce that we are now able to offer on-site technical training to YOUR machinists at YOUR location!  This is offered at no charge  to customers who use any of the manufacturer's whom we represent in California and Nevada.  

However, just because you don't purchase things from us, don't feel left out! We also offer on-site topic specter training on any of the following topics for $150/hour.  

Each presentation lasts about 2 hours.  The presentations last approximately 45-60 minutes with the remaining time for Q&A and discussion about unique applications in your facility.

Next Generation Tooling is excited to offer some new services coming in 2015!

Below is a very fast video of our new training series on Tapping which we can present to your manufacturing team at your site. 

It's a comprehensive overview of screw thread terminology, thread forms, fundamentals of threads, classes of fit, Tap basics, types of chamfers, the tapping process,tap types, screw thread inserts, helix angles, core diameters, re an hook angles, thread reliefs, pitch tolerances, H limits, Tap substrates, Surface treatment and coatings, tapping speeds, tap drill sizes.

Understanding Thread Mills

Any three axis mill that is capable of helical interpolation can be used for thread milling. Helical interpolation involves three axes moving simultaneously. Two axes, 'X' and 'Y', move in a circular motion while the 'Z' axis moves in a linear motion. For example, the path from point A to point B (Fig 1) on the periphery of the cylinder combines a circular movement in the 'X-Y' plane with linear movement along the 'Z' axis. The 'X' and 'Y' circular motion will determine the diameter of the thread. The 'Z' axis linear motion will cut the pitch (or lead) of the thread.

Thread mills must completely enter the minor thread diameter before cutting the internal thread. (See figure 2) Thus our catalog lists the smallest internal thread that each thread mill can produce. The same thread mill can also produce any larger size thread of that same pitch. Also, for small sizes, it is best to use our short series with the reduced length of cut whenever possible.

 All of the straight flute thread mills are for internal threads only. All of the staggered tooth thread mills will cut both the internal and external threads. The helical thread mills over 0.187 diameter will also cut both internal and external threads.

Staggered tooth thread mills have every other tooth removed in a staggered pattern; as the tool rotates the adjacent flute fills in for the tooth that was removed. This helps to reduce side cutting pressure, thus reducing chatter. This can be extremely beneficial in small external sizes and for set-ups that lack rigidity.

Helical fluted thread mills are also designed to reduce side cutting pressure by distributing the cutting pressure along a helical flute. Although these tools cost slightly more, their high performance design allows for less chatter and higher feed rates.

How to Use Thread Mills
    To produce internal threads, drill the minor thread diameter to its appropriate size. Then, position the thread mill to the required depth. Next, mill either the 'X' or 'Y' axis to the required thread pitch diameter. With small sizes and with difficult to cut material, it may be necessary to remove the material in several passes. It is always best to "arc-in" and "arc-out" when thread milling. Any "arc-in" and "arc-out" movements must have a corresponding 'Z'-axis motion during the 'X-Y' circular moves. For example, if the "arc-in" is over 90 degrees, the 'Z'-axis departure must be 1/4 of the thread pitch. (90 degrees is 1/4 of a circle). A right-hand thread is produced by orbiting in a counterclockwise direction while bringing the 'Z'-axis up one pitch per 360 degrees.

 A left-hand thread is produced by orbiting in a clockwise direction while bringing the 'Z' axis up one pitch per 360 degrees. The entire process can be achieved by interpolating in a downward direction and reversing the orbit direction.

External threads must have the major diameter milled to size before the thread mill is used. Right-hand threads are cut by interpolating up and in a counterclockwise direction. The same threads can be cut by interpolating down and changing the orbit direction.

NPT threads are usually produced while interpolating the tool in a downward direction. Since these tools are crest cutting, it is not absolutely necessary to ream the internal minor diameter or mill the external diameter to size. However, it is highly advisable to do so since the tools will have much less material to remove. If the tool is to be interpolated in an upward direction, spiral interpolation must be used.

The same surface feet per minute can be used for thread mills as for end mills of the same size. The feed rate must be slower, however, since thread milling often involves unfavorable length-to-diameter ratios. Also, keep in mind that the thread mills have more surface area contact than an end mill of equal length. Most CNC mills are programmed in inches per minute which is applied at the centerline of the spindle. In internal applications, the outside diameter of the tool will be traveling faster than the centerline of the tool. The reverse is true for external applications. It is best to start out conservatively with feed rates and the number of passes required and adjust upward per good machining practice.