Page 39 - MetalForming-May-2018-issue

Mechanical or Servo—
Selecting the Right Option for In-Die Tapping
The technology has evolved, and here’s what stampers need to consider when deciding which type of in-die tapping unit best fits the job at hand.
BY THOMAS HUTCHISON
Stampers have employed in-die tapping units to satisfy high-vol- ume production requirements for more than 40 years, saving millions of dollars of manufacturing costs by eliminating costly secondary tapping operations. Like most metalforming equipment, in-die tapping technology has evolved, and stampers now have choices. This article highlights numer- ous considerations and questions to ask when selecting the optimum in- die tapping unit—mechanical- or servo-driven—based on a particular application and plant operation.
Mechanical Tapping Units
Naturally, mechanical tapping units have evolved the most over time, as much of the tool and die/metal-stamp-
Thomas Hutchison is president, Hutchison Tool Sales Co., Bensenville, IL; 630/766- 2585, www.hutchisontool.com .
In-die tapping units satisfy high-volume production-stamping requirements, saving metalformers a considerable amount of production time and money by eliminating cost- ly secondary tapping operations.
ing industry operates on mechanical equipment. The 40-yr. history of mechanical in-die tapping has fostered innovation and led to the development of numerous options, along with well- documented historical data on oper- ational speed (strokes/min. and press- stroke requirements). Also, most die-maintenance and setup techni-
cians, as well as press operators, are qualified to maintain mechanical tap- ping units.
Suppliers of mechanical tapping units design them to run at specific press strokes with a specific gear ratio for tap travel, with a well-defined max- imum stroke rate. In most cases this situation suffices, as specific jobs usually
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