The basic movement path of this process consists of 3 steps described in the following:
1. Plunge/ Production of groove
Upon entering the predrilled hole, the first tooth (broaching tooth) of each flute produces a groove. The helical infeed into the pre-drilled tap hole moves the Punch Tap to the application depth. This first process step does not yet produce a thread.
Once the Punch Tap has reached its depth of application, the cold-forming of thread starts. This is achieved with a synchronous movement of feed and rotation. The thread is produced with a half left-turn in the pitch. Each tooth of the Punch Tap produces half a thread (approx. 180°).
After the threads have been formed, the Punch Tap is retracted in a helical movement from the bore hole using the path of the produced grooves.
The finished cold-formed thread is interrupted by two helical grooves offset-by 180°. From a depth of thread of 2xD, the static strength is not adversely affected.
Continuous fibre structure
Work hardened workpiece material
Cold-forming completed with half a turn