Forming Taps

Unlike cutting taps, which remove material, forming taps generate an internal screw thread by displacing material and forming it into the V-shaped thread. A common misconception is that a thread rolling action occurs. Instead, the threads are formed over the tapered entry section of the tap as the tap rotates into the hole. A succession of deeper penetrating lobes over the entry plastically displaces material radially between the tap’s thread fl anks until the entry length is reached. At this point, the thread is fully formed at the correct thread height.

Developed Crest

Thread Tapered End Root

Forming taps have numerous advantages over cutting taps. TheForming taps can only be used in ductile materials. Due to
most obvious advantage is that forming taps do not create chips.increased friction relative to cutting, forming taps require higher
There are no chip removal problems. Bird nesting is a situationtorque than cutting taps. In some situations, oil-based lubrications
that occurs when chips wrap around the shank of spiral-fl uted tapsare required, and this might not be convenient on CNC machining
when tapping blind holes in long chipping materials. Forming tapscentres that use water soluble coolant. In this situation, the
help this to be avoided. Since forming taps avoid this problem,lubricant concentration should be increased.
they are stronger and more resistant to breakage. AnotherSince forming taps displace material, larger diameter pre-tap holes
misconception is that forming taps produce stronger threads.
are required. This is especially important when converting from
Although the forming process strain hardens the thread fl anks,cutting taps to forming taps. If a cutting tap hole size is used, the
it has very little effect on the major diameter, the location where
displaced material will over-fi ll the tap’s threads and breakage will
internal threads strip.result. Please consult hole size charts for forming taps.