Milling thread is a process that uses a milling cutter to machine threads on a workpiece. Compared with traditional tapping and turning threads, milling thread has many advantages. Including high processing accuracy, good surface quality, long tool life, etc.
People often compare the two, so let’s talk about it today. Milling thread uses a solid carbide thread milling cutter to cut threads on the workpiece, while tapping uses a tap to process threads. Compared with tapping, milling thread has many advantages.
Milling Thread vs Tapping, Processing Efficiency and Flexibility
Processing Speed
Milling thread: Usually faster than tapping because it can complete the entire thread processing at one time without multiple feeds.
Tapping: Slower speed, especially when processing deep holes or hard materials, the feed speed and feed rate need to be controlled to prevent the tap from breaking.
Wide range of applications
Milling thread: Applicable to a variety of materials and thread types, including internal and external threads. The effect of milling thread is particularly obvious for difficult-to-process materials such as hard materials, composite materials and high-temperature alloys.
Tapping: It is mainly used for processing internal threads, and it is not effective in processing hard materials and deep hole threads.
Milling Thread vs Tapping, Processing Quality and Precision
Thread Precision
Milling thread: Due to the use of multi-axis CNC milling machines, high-precision thread processing can be guaranteed, and the geometric shape and dimensional accuracy of the thread are high.
Tapping: Limited by the geometry of the tap and the elastic deformation during processing, the accuracy is relatively low, especially when processing deep hole threads, the accuracy is difficult to guarantee.
Surface Quality
Milling thread: The heat and chips generated during the cutting process are easy to discharge, the surface quality is good, and the cutting surface is smooth.
Tapping: It is easy to generate built-up edge and chip blockage during the cutting process, resulting in high surface roughness.
Milling Thread vs Tapping, Tool Life and Cost
Tool Life
Milling thread: Thread milling cutters usually have high wear resistance and impact resistance, and long tool life, especially when processing high hardness materials, the advantages are obvious.
Tapping: Taps are prone to wear and breakage when processing hard materials and deep holes, and the tool life is short.
Tool Cost
Thread milling: Although the initial cost of thread cutting tools is higher, their long service life and multiple resharpenability make the overall cost lower.
Tapping: The cost of taps is relatively low, but their frequent replacement and short service life may lead to higher overall costs.
Milling Thread vs Tapping, Processing Reliability
Chip Removal Milling
Thread milling: Chips are easily removed during the process and are not easy to clog the tool, which improves the reliability of the process.
Tapping: Chips are easy to accumulate in the hole, especially when processing deep holes, chip clogging may cause tap breakage.
Thermal Management
Thread milling: The heat generated during the process is easy to dissipate, reducing the risk of thermal deformation and improving processing stability.
Tapping: The heat generated during the process is difficult to dissipate, which is easy to cause thermal deformation and wear of the tap.
Milling Thread vs Tapping, Versatility
Compound Processing
Thread milling: Multiple processing operations such as drilling, milling and thread processing can be performed on the same CNC milling machine, reducing clamping and calibration time and improving production efficiency.
Tapping: It usually needs to be performed separately on a tapping machine or drilling machine, which increases the time and complexity of process conversion.
Compared with Tapping, Thread milling has the Following Main Advantages
High processing efficiency: thread processing is completed in one go, with high speed.
Good processing quality: high thread precision and good surface quality.
Long tool life: good tool wear resistance and long tool life.
High processing reliability: more effective chip removal and thermal management, reducing the risk of tool breakage.
Strong versatility: multiple processing operations can be completed on the same equipment.
Thread milling is an efficient, precise and flexible thread processing method with many advantages. High-quality thread processing can be achieved by rationally selecting threading milling cutter tools, optimizing cutting parameters and appropriately using coolant. In practical applications, the processing technology is flexibly adjusted according to the workpiece material and thread specifications to obtain the best processing effect.
Of course, it is necessary to select a suitable processing method according to the specific processing requirements, materials and production environment, so as to significantly improve production efficiency and processing quality.
