Tap process for hard workpieces
AssigneeKennametal Inc.
InventorsRalph Hughes, Troy Walters
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process and apparatus for producing screw threads in hard material workpieces with a series of taps. The present invention employs a threaded bore formed in a bracket assembly to align and position multiple taps on a rotary machine. The taps are used in sequence to cut threads progressively deeper into a substrate. The present invention provides a method of aligning and orienting each progressive tap to begin its cut at the same initial starting point.
Claims39
An alignment assembly for positioning a tap inside a chuck comprising:
- a support block having a central longitudinal axis, said support block adapted to receive said chuck, and
- a bracket axially adjustable with respect to said support block.
A support block having a central longitudinal axis comprising:
- a centrally located cavity adapted to receive a chuck, and at least one key for orienting a chuck.
An arm for a tap alignment assembly comprising:
- a first bore at a first end adapted to receive said tap, and
- a second bore for receiving a screw to fix the arm to said bracket, and said arm has a longitudinal axis.
A method of producing an internally threaded bore in a substrate comprising:
- placing a chuck in an alignment assembly, and
- aligning a first tap in said alignment assembly wherein said aligning includes threading said first tap into a threaded first bore.
A method of aligning tools in a chuck using an alignment assembly, said alignment assembly including a support block having a central longitudinal axis, said support block having a key and said support block adapted to receive said chuck, said alignment assembly having a bracket axially adjustable with respect to said support block wherein said method of aligning comprises:
- placing said chuck in said support block, and
- threading a first tap into a threaded first bore on said bracket.
A support block for holding a chuck comprising:
- a support block having a central longitudinal axis, said support block having a cavity adapted to receive said chuck.
An adjustable bracket for assisting in the alignment of taps within a chuck comprising:
- fastening means,
- an upwardly extending support arm having a longitudinal axis, and
- at least one cantilever arm having a longitudinal axis,
- wherein said longitudinal axis of said cantilever arm is substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said support arm, and said cantilever arm is releasably connectable to said support arm.
An adjustable bracket system for assisting in the alignment of a series of taps within a chuck comprising:
- fastening means,
- an upwardly extending support arm having a longitudinal axis, and
- a first cantilever arm having a longitudinal axis,
- wherein said longitudinal axis of said cantilever arm is substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said cantilever arm, and said support arm is releasably connectable to said support arm.
A method of producing an internally threaded bore in a hard material substrate comprising:
- placing a chuck in an alignment assembly, and
- aligning a first tap in said alignment assembly wherein said aligning includes threading said first tap into a threaded first bore in said alignment assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.