Highly efficient single pass machining of multi-lead threads.
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.
Machining multi‑lead thread forms involves strict requirements for machine specifications, spindle performance, insert design, and tooling setup.
NTK provides technical support to optimize these parameters for stable single‑pass production.
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| Left hand Screw | Right hand Screw |
The number of inserts can be selected to balance machining efficiency and tooling cost, depending on production volume and application requirements.
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| 3 inserts | 6 inserts | 9 inserts |
| Emphasis on cost | Balance | Emphasis on machining efficiency |
The number of insert corners can be selected based on production volume, from prototyping and small‑lot production to high‑volume manufacturing.
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| 1 corner type | 2 corner type |
| For prototyping and small-lot, high-mix production | For mass production |
| Workpiece diameters | Work materials |
|---|---|
| For cutter with ID of ⌀12mm ⌀.472inch | Pure titanium, titanium alloys, SUS316, etc. |
| ISO | Work material | No. of teeth | Bar stock (mm) (inch) |
Main spindle (min-1) |
Whirling cutter (min-1) |
Feed rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Ti-6Al-4V EL SUS316 17-4PH Titanium Brass etc. |
3 | -⌀ 10 .400 | 5 – 12 | 1,500 – 4,000 | Same as thread lead = pitch |
| 6 | 10 – 25 | |||||
| 9 | 10 – 40 |
| Worm gear | ||
|---|---|---|
| Work material : | Brass | |
| Bar stock diameter : ⌀7 ⌀.276” | Major diameter : ⌀6 ⌀.236” | Minor diameter : ⌀4 ⌀.157” |
| Number of start : 2 | Helix 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
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| Single point |
50 seconds
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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 : ⌀1.1 ⌀.043” |
| Number of leads : 1 | Helix 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
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| 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 : ⌀2.67 ⌀.105” |
| Number of leads : 2 | Helix 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
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| Competitor’s Thread Whirling 6 teeth |
1,000 pcs / corner
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NTK thread whirling inserts achieved 2.6 x longer tool life compared to the competitor’s thread whirling inserts.
| Bone screw | ||
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| Work material : | SUS316 | |
| Bar stock diameter : ⌀6.35 ⌀.250” | Major diameter : ⌀3.23 ⌀.127” | Minor diameter : ⌀2.2 ⌀.086” |
| Number of leads : 1 | Helix 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
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| Competitor’s Thread Whirling 12 teeth |
1,000 pcs / corner
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| 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.
For more information about this product, visit our online e-catalog, or download the catalog/product report
