Re: Tapping Heads

PTENGIN@... wrote:

> From: PTENGIN@...
>
> In a message dated 10/04/1999 8:20:04 PM Hawaiian Standard Time,
> jmelson@... writes:
>
> << It tapped 6-32 through holes in .125" Aluminum just beautifully, and in
> just a couple seconds each! >>
> Jon,
> Tell us more in detail as to how it was done. EMC? Manual on a drill
> press? What kind of shank does it have? Morse #2? R-8? What RPM did you run?
> Alumi Tap? Cutting oil? WD-40? Does it use ER collets?

Since this was a one-shot bracket, I didn't write code for the hole positions,
but just wrote a couple lines of G-code for the tapping move (Z -) and the
retract (Z + at twice the feed rate). I used my Bridgeport mill with EMC
controlling it. I set the 1J head for 210 RPM, and computed the feed rate for
a 6-32 thread as 210/32 = 6.56 IPM, and so the retract would be 13.12 IPM.
I used a couple drops of Alum-Tap applied to the tap, so a bit dripped into the
hole before the cycle started.

The Procunier head uses proprietary collets (I think), and this one has a 1"
straight shank on the input shaft. I had a 1" extension collet to hold the head.
They also are available with a 3/4" straight shank, or a Cat-50 taper.

So, in MDI mode, I entered the X and Y coordinates of the hole, which had
already been spotted and drilled through with a #36 drill, then I hit auto, and
Run, and it plunged in, reversed and was ready for the next cycle! Wow!

Jon