Thread former and method for producing a thread

A method for producing a thread in or on a workpiece, comprising the following steps:

• providing the workpiece;
• providing a thread former for the chipless production of a thread, the thread former including a thread forming portion with a plurality of pressing lands which are each arranged at predefined separation angles (T) between adjacent pressing lands along a shaping curve, the shaping curve encircling the tool axis (L), which encircles the tool axis (L), wherein:
• each separation angle (T) is smaller than or equal to a predefined maximum separation angle (Tmax);
• for nominal thread former diameters (Da) between 6 mm and 20 mm the maximum separation angle (Tmax) is determined such that the following condition:
• Tmax=sin−1((a×NDy+b×ND+c)×2×π) is met for:
• 6≤ND<10 where a=−0.0008, b=0.00705, c=0.1325, y=2;
• i)
• 10≤ND<12 where a=1.7924/(2×π), b=0, c=0, y=−0.408;
• and ii)
• 12≤ND≤20 where a=0.751/(2×π), b=0, c=0, y=−0.104;
• iii)
• Tmax is the maximum separation angle and ND is the amount of the nominal thread former diameter (Da) measured in millimeters;
• providing the thread by simultaneously rotating and moving the thread former in an axial-translatory manner;
• wherein the thread former is moved at a predefined rotational speed and a predefined axial feed speed.