Thread whirling device and turning machine comprising a thread whirling device

Thread whirling device for producing a thread on a workpiece on a numerically controlled turning machine by means of a thread whirling method, having:

• a retention structure for fitting the thread whirling device to the turning machine,
• a whirling head which is retained on the retention structure, has an opening and carries one or more cutters which are arranged peripherally on the edge of the opening, and
• a first drive means which is configured to drive the whirling head in a rotational manner about a first rotation axis which extends through the opening;
• the thread whirling device being configured to carry out the thread whirling method, in which:
• the workpiece is driven in a rotational manner about the spindle axis of an work spindle by means of the work spindle of the turning machine, whilst the workpiece extends through the opening of the whirling head,
• the whirling head, in order to produce a cutting movement, is driven rotationally about the first rotation axis by means of the first drive means, and
• the workpiece is controlled by means of a control device of the turning machine in such a manner that it moves relative to the whirling head in the direction of the spindle axis, the feed speed of the workpiece relative to the whirling head in the direction of the spindle axis and the rotation speed of the workpiece about the spindle axis being adjusted with respect to each other in accordance with the thread to be formed,
• including
• a second drive means which is configured to drive the whirling head in a rotational manner about a second rotation axis which extends transversely relative to the first rotation axis, in order to orientate an angle between the first rotation axis and the spindle axis when the thread whirling device is fitted to the turning machine.