In-die tapping tool

A tapping tool for threading a hole in a workpiece, comprising:

• a base;
• an end cap to which an impact force is applied, said end cap movable towards said base when an impact force is applied thereto;
• shaft means having first and opposite ends, said first end being threaded;
• a planetary roller nut moving axially along the threaded end of said shaft means when said end cap is moved towards said base to cause said shaft means to rotate;
• and
• tap carrying means retaining a tap and being coupled to said shaft means at the opposite end thereof so that the rotation of said shaft means is imparted to said tap carrying means, said tap carrying means adapted to slide axially over said opposite end of said shaft means and towards the workpiece in response to the rotation of said shaft means for correspondingly advancing the tap towards the hole in the workpiece.

A tapping tool to be interfaced with a press to receive an impact force generated by the press and to thread holes formed in a workpiece in response to the impact force, said tapping tool comprising:

• a base;
• an end cap spaced from said base and receiving the impact force generated by the press for moving said end cap towards said base;
• a hollow body extending from said base towards said end cap and having a threaded interior wall;
• shaft means having a threaded portion;
• means for supporting said shaft means for rotation within said hollow body, such that the axial position of said shaft means relative to said body remains constant;
• a threaded planetary roller nut coupled to said shaft means and adapted to move axially along the threaded portion thereof in response to the movement of said end cap to cause said shaft means to rotate when said end cap is moved towards said base;
• tap carrying means retaining a tap and being coupled to said shaft means such that a rotation of said shaft means is imparted to said tap carrying means to cause said tap carrying means to rotate;
• and
• threaded means coupled to said tap carrying means such that the rotation of said tap carrying means is imparted to said threaded means to cause said threaded means to rotate around and move axially along the threaded wall of said hollow body for advancing said tap carrying means towards the workpiece.

A tapping tool for threading a hole in a workpiece and comprising:

• an end cap to which an impact force is to be applied;
• a base spaced from said end cap;
• spring means located between said end cap and said base, said end cap adapted to be moved towards said base and against the normal bias of said spring means when an impact force is applied to said end cap;
• shaft means extending between said end cap and said base;
• means coupled to said shaft means to cause said shaft means to rotate when said end cap is moved towards said base;
• tap carrying means retaining a tap at one end thereof and being coupled to said shaft means at the opposite end, such that a rotation of said shaft means is imparted to said tap carrying means;
• a tap collet surrounding said tap carrying means and applying a compressive force to retain the tap within said tap carrying means, said tap collet being slidable axially along said tap carrying means to remove the compressive force and release said tap therefrom;
• and
• means responsive to the rotation of said tap carrying means for advancing said tap carrying means axially relative to said shaft means and towards the hole in the workpiece.