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High productivity for precision screw manufacturing, like implant screws and bone screws

Ideal for medical screw thread forms that are becoming more complex Single pass thread forming reduces cycle time
NEW Thread Whirling "ECO"
  • Lineup of 3-blade and 6-blade cutter bodies
  • 1-corner insert can be selected
Features
  • NTK’s insert design technology creates precise inserts matching even the most complex thread forms
  • Sharp cutting edges and PVD coated inserts generate superior surface finishes and achieves long tool life
  • Lineup of cutter bodies for left-hand threads
Tooling application

Swiss CNC lathes threading

Product video
Comparison of single point and thread whirling process

In thread whirling, the whirling head is tilted to a specific helix angle, the cutter is rotated at high speed, the bar stock (c axis) is rotated at a low speed, and the pitch (z axis) is the feed.
The inserts shear the material which enables single pass thread forming.

Multi-lead thread Single pass forming examples

Machining multi-lead tread forms has many process requirements.
So it is important to contact us to discuss: mechanical specifications, spindle specifications, insert specifications, tooling specifications.

Thread Geometry

Thread Whirling ECO

Cutter body with selectable number of inserts

The number of inserts can now be selected according to the balance between machining time and cost.

3 inserts 6 inserts 9 inserts
Emphasis on cost Balance Emphasis on machining efficiency
Select the number of corners according to your needs

The number of corners can now be selected according to the number of workpieces produced.

1 corner type 2 corner type
For prototyping and small-lot, high-mix production For mass production
Cost-saving effect
Cutter bodies are available for Left/Right-hand screws
A head for left-hand threads has been added to accommodate a wide range of workpieces.
Left hand Screw Right hand Screw
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Conditions / No. of teeth963
Main spindlemin-110 – 4010 – 255 – 12
Whirling cuttermin-11,500 – 4,000
Feed rateSame as thread lead = pitch
Bar stockmm-⌀10-⌀10-⌀10
Work MaterialTi-6Al-4V EL / SUS316 / 17-4PH / Titanium / Brass etc.
- - - Scroll the table - - -
Workpiece diametersWork materials
For cutter with ID of ⌀12mm ⌀.472inch Pure titanium, titanium alloys, SUS316, etc.
Worm gear
Work material :Brass
Bar stock diameter : ⌀7 ⌀.276” Major diameter : ⌀6 ⌀.236” Minor diameter : φ4 φ.157”
Number of start : 2Helix angle : 10.1°Hand of thread: left
Main spindle speed :30min -1
Whirling cutter speed :3,200min -1
Lead = Feed : 2.8mm/rev .110 IPR
NTK Thread Whirling
9 teeth

25 seconds

Single point

50 seconds

By replacing the single point threading tools with a thread whirling system the machine time for threading operation is greatly reduced and the total cycle time for the part is cut by 50%.

Pin
Work material :Hastelloy
Bar stock diameter : ⌀3 ⌀.118” Major diameter : ⌀1.5 ⌀.059” Minor diameter : φ1.1 φ.043”
Number of leads : 1Helix angle : 4.3°Hand of thread: right
Main spindle speed :20min -1
Whirling cutter speed :2,250min -1
Lead = Feed : 0.3mm/rev .012 IPR
NTK Thread Whirling
9 teeth

600 pcs / corner

Single point
 

100 pcs / corner

By replacing the single point threading tools the threading system significantly improved tool life machining the difficult to cut Hastelloy material.

Bone screw
Work material :SUS316
Bar stock diameter : ⌀8 ⌀.314” Major diameter : ⌀3.45 ⌀.135” Minor diameter : φ2.67 φ.105”
Number of leads : 2Helix angle : 7.5°Hand of thread: right
Main spindle speed :23min -1
Whirling cutter speed :2,000min -1
Lead = Feed : 1.24mm/rev .048 IPR
NTK Thread Whirling
9 teeth

2,600 pcs / corner

Competitor’s Thread Whirling 6 teeth

1,000 pcs / corner

NTK thread whirling inserts achieved 2.6 x longer tool life compared to the competitor’s thread whirling inserts.

Bone screw
Work material :SUS316
Bar stock diameter : ⌀6.35 ⌀.250” Major diameter : ⌀3.23 ⌀.127” Minor diameter : φ2.2 φ.086”
Number of leads : 1Helix angle : 8.5°Hand of thread: right
Main spindle speed :15min -1
Whirling cutter speed :2,250min -1
Lead = Feed : 1.27mm/rev .005 IPR
NTK Thread Whirling
9 teeth

1,200 pcs / corner

Competitor’s Thread Whirling 12 teeth

1,000 pcs / corner

Competitor’s Thread Whirling 3 teeth
 

400 pcs / corner

NTK whirling inserts achieved 1.2 to 3 times longer tool life compared to the competition.

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