Which process parameters are effective during thread cutting?

During a machining process, the torque and temperature to be applied play an important role in determining the performance of the tapping tool, its surface coatings and the effectiveness of lubricants. The Munich-based company microtap GmbH (www.microtap.de), which has been specializing in torque-controlled thread production for 25 years, has developed a test system based on this experience.

Tribology of tapping with the TTT

According to their own statements, it provides an insight into the tribology (theory of friction) of threading. With the TTT Tapping-Torque-Testsystem (Tapping = internal thread cutting / Torque) you can measure the applied force and the temperature value during thread cutting.

With these values, users can then objectively evaluate the tool load and tool wear and initiate measures to increase efficiency. The system consists of a manufacturing unit, analysis software and a temperature measuring unit, among other things.

The user can therefore determine the maximum torque, the average torque and standard deviations and visualize them in bar charts using the software. In addition, the initial and final temperatures are measured and compared via infrared at the tip of the tool. This so-called delta value, in combination with the torque values, allows an objective evaluation of the influencing factors during threading and provides objective parameters for the classification of efficiency improvements through surface coatings and lubricants.

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