Patent ID: 6547496
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: B23G,Y10T

Abstract:
An in-die tapping unit for a press comprising:an upper housing piece, and an interconnected lower housing piece spaced from said upper housing piece and adapted to be installed in a punch press so as to be drivable towards each other by actuation of said press; interposed return springs urging said housing pieces apart; two ball screw mechanisms engaged by said housing upper and lower pieces, each having a ball screw and engaged ball nut relatively moved by said upper and lower housing pieces upon actuation of said press to cause relative rotation therebetween, each of said ball screw mechanisms driving a respective output gear; a tap driving subassembly carried by said lower housing piece, including a central gear located between said two ball screw mechanism and rotated by said output gears driven by said ball screw mechanisms upon relative movement of said upper and lower housing pieces towards each other, a fixed pitch adapter and an axially movable pitch adapter rotated by said central gear, said fixed and axially movable pitch adapter having mating threads causing axial movement of said movable pitch adapter upon rotation thereof; and, a tap holder adapted to receive and rotate a tap, said tap holder held by said axially movable pitch adapter to be rotated and moved axially therewith to carry out tapping of a hole into which said tap is advanced, said mating threads matched to said tap pitch.