Tapping Vertical & Horizontal in Heat-Treated Alloy Steel with a FlexArm

Watch the video of this application at the bottom of this page.

We had an end-user out of California interested in seeing if the FlexArm could handle their tapping needs. They are a manufacturer that deals with a lot of R&D, so they needed an arm that could tap a wide array of parts and materials. We chose our largest tapping arm, the GH-60, because we needed to tap multiple 1 1/4″ holes in heat-treated alloy steel. We also added the multi-position head to allow the capability of tapping horizontally (and any angle in between) in addition to the typical vertical position.

Eddie Tapping GHM-60 Hydraulic FlexArm

The end-user was hoping the FlexArm would be a fast alternative to their current time-consuming tapping process. They tried tapping the holes in their expensive machine, but it was unable to completely reach the bottom, so they are spending a lot of time trying to finish out these holes. The FlexArm had no trouble tapping the hardened alloy steel, and we were able to show them just how fast and easy their tapping process could be with our turnkey solution.

Horizontal Tapping with GHM-60 Hydraulic FlexArm

If you are experiencing any tapping issues and are looking to speed up operations, give us a call at 1-800-837-2503 or schedule a tap test online today.

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Standard Features

  • Hand Pendant
  • 22″ Touch Screen Monitor
  • Omron FlexCNC Controller
  • Mobile Control Panel
  • Through Spindle Coolant 
  • Auto Tool Changer 
  • Flood Coolant
HP
Max RPM
FT/LBS
Series

18

4000

92

C-20-02 / C-10-02

18

6000

61

C-20-02 / C-10-02

33

12000

61

CM-20-02

Auto Stand-Off – This is currently defined to be surface stand-off and not to be confused with vector stand-off in 5-axis mode. The current auto stand-off is based on a changing surface and will adjust vertically based on the angle of the “A” Axis, so there is five (5) axis taken into account during the calculations, but this is not the same as the tool vector stand-off. There is the ability to do the vector stand-off change while the machine is running manually with buttons on the screen.

Z-Reader Probe – The Z-Reader is a device for mapping the location of the surface. It can be controlled manually & programmatically. The option is NOT active while cutting & is retracted out of harm’s way. It can be triggered to verify the surface at every pierce before the cutting process starts, or it could be used to drive surface mapping of the whole part before cutting starts. It begins with initialization or zeroing of the device to the surface at the beginning of a program and then accumulates or tracks the difference from that zeroing effort.

Automatic Edge Finder – The edge finder is or can be utilized manually (Jogging Method & Screen Buttons), programmatically (M & G codes), or fully automatic routine (dedicated program). This option sets offsets & program rotation to match the orientation & location on the cutting table.

AC Unit Installed on Electrical Cabinet – The unit is mounted on the cabinet’s High Power (480v) side. It is close to the location where the drives are mounted. This option keeps the cabinet temperature stable and allows heat dissipation faster. The servo drives for all axes are the most significant contributors to heat inside the electrical cabinet.

5-Axis Renishaw CalibrationThe calibration unit is a Renishaw model APCA45 with a modified spherical stylus. The device has a retractable cover and air purge to clear debris & dust during the activation process. It mounts to a swing arm controlled by a pneumatic rotary, so it is out of the way during regular operation and swings into the calibration position for calibration only. 

HP
Max RPM
FT/LBS
Series

18

4000

92

G-20-06 / G-10-06

18

6000

61

G-20-06 / -10-06

40

4000

217

GM-20-06 / G-20-06 / G-10-06

40

6000

145

G-20-06 / G-20-06 / G-10-06