The Answer to Your Question: What is Tapping?
Is this you?
Does the word “tapping” bring to mind visions of drumming fingers on a table? For us, tapping is almost second nature so we’re happy to share what we do and why we enjoy it so much!
Let’s start with some basics: The ergonomic benefits of FlexArm assembly arms are easy to understand. Using unsupported tools can lead to unhappy consequences, such as carpel tunnel and worse. This happens in many production areas, and we’re trying to help – one FlexArm at a time.
How?
We designed FlexArm torque reaction arms to economically solve various assembly issues. An assembly tool is held perpendicular in a motor mount on the arm to improve quality, and the FlexArm counterbalances the weight of the tool to reduce fatigue. Consider this – the FlexArm assembly arm also absorbs all the torque created by the tool instead of the operator’s arm.
We see you smiling – and shaking your head yes.
Reduction isn’t a hard concept to follow, and we talk with people every day who know this and use FlexArm assembly arms for this very reason.
But you may know very little – or maybe absolutely nothing at all about…
It’s okay – you’re not alone. We’ve heard the questions.
That’s why we’re here – to answer yours:
What IS tapping?
Why is it done?
How is it done?
And – most importantly: What is the best way to accomplish this task known as…
Tapping…?
Taps are cutting tools used to create screw threads, which is called threading. A tap is used to cut the female portion of the mating pair (e.g., a nut). A die is used to cut the male portion of the mating pair (e.g., a bolt). The process of cutting threads using a tap is called tapping.
Tapping is accomplished by hand using a set of taps or by using a machine, such as an air-driven pneumatic tapping machine, heavier-duty hydraulic unit, vertical milling machines, or HMCs and VMCs.
Machine tapping is faster and more accurate, because it can eliminate frequent tap breakage and inconsistent quality of tapping. Human error is eliminated when a machine is used. Final tapping is achieved with a single tap as compared with manual tapping, which is typically done in multiple steps.
Using a precision tapping unit on a leveled surface gives precise, perpendicular, tap-to-hold alignment. Why is this important? Keeping the tap holder as straight as possible greatly reduces tap breakage that can easily occur when too much torque and/or side forces are applied. Imagine extending your tap life! It’s possible – and very easily done.
A huge frustration in tapping is tap breakage. Breaking taps costs money, time and creates wasted effort. If a broken tap is left in a product, it the product needs to be scrapped. What a waste!
Breaking taps becomes a big problem when hand-tapping. One of the biggest challenges in manual tapping is accurately aligning the tap with the hole so that they are coaxial—in other words, going in straight instead of at an angle.
The operator must get this alignment as ideally perpendicular as possible to (a) produce good threads and (b) avoid tap breakage. The deeper the depth of thread, the greater the effect an angular error creates. The first thread or two that is cut establishes the direction that the rest of the threads will follow. Corrections to the angle can’t be made once the first thread or two are cut, which can create major headaches.
Maybe you’re part of a job shop or larger production area that taps holes. If they are manually tapping, consider the cost in:
Time
Manpower
Tools and Materials
Tap breakage
Rejects
Quality
Consider the savings a precision Tapping Machine offers. Ready to do some tapping? We’ve got the solution you’re looking for. Contact our team of friendly professionals – and get ready to enjoy quick and easy tapping for yourself!
