Cleanline threader
A method of operating a thread milling machine includes securing a product in a securing mount proximate to the thread milling machine, the thread milling machine having a spindle; securing a combination tool to the spindle, the combination tool having a body and an insert, the body having a first end and a second end, the body defining a securing pocket, the insert secured proximate to the second end at a first side of the securing pocket, the second end attached to the spindle; and rotating the spindle.
1. A method of operating a thread milling system, the method comprising:
securing a product in a securing mount that is mounted to a base assembly of a thread milling machine, the thread milling system comprising the securing mount and the thread milling machine, the thread milling machine having a spindle;
securing a combination tool to the spindle, the combination tool having a body and an insert, the body having a first end and a second end, the body defining a securing pocket, the insert secured proximate to the second end at a first side of the securing pocket, the second end attached to the spindle;
securing a threading tool in the combination tool, the threading tool defining a first tool end and a second tool end, the threading tool defining a tool axis extending from the first tool end to the second tool end, the tool axis being coaxial with an axis of rotation of the spindle, the threading tool defining an outer cylindrical surface, a center axis of the outer cylindrical surface being coaxial with the axis of rotation;
entering dimensions of the product on a control panel;
determining an x-axis movement along an x-axis, a y-axis movement along a y-axis, and a z-axis movement along a z-axis for the threading tool with the thread milling machine, the x-axis movement, the y-axis movement, and the z-axis movement corresponding to the dimensions;
rotating the spindle about the axis of rotation;
engaging the threading tool with the product; and
cutting threads into the product, cutting threads comprising:
moving the threading tool with a positioning assembly through at least one pass around the product according to the x-axis movement, the y-axis movement, and the z-axis movement, the thread milling machine comprising the positioning assembly, the positioning assembly comprising an x-axis motor, a y-axis motor, and a z-axis motor, the x-axis motor, the y-axis motor, and the z-axis motor connected in electrical communication with the control panel; and
disengaging the threading tool from the product after completing the x-axis movement, the y-axis movement, and the z-axis movement; and
wherein moving the threading tool with a positioning assembly through the at least one pass around the product according to the x-axis movement, the y-axis movement, and the z-axis movement comprises:
moving a z-axis plate of the positioning assembly relative to a horizontal base plate of the positioning assembly along the z-axis, the horizontal base plate being mounted to the base assembly, the z-axis plate being fixed relative to the horizontal base plate along the x-axis and the y-axis, the z-axis being parallel to the axis of rotation;
moving an x-axis plate of the positioning assembly relative to the z-axis plate along the x-axis, the x-axis plate being fixed relative to the z-axis plate along the y-axis and the z-axis; and
moving a y-axis plate of the positioning assembly relative to a vertical base plate of the positioning assembly along the y-axis, the y-axis plate being fixed relative to the vertical base plate along the x-axis and the z-axis, the vertical base plate being secured to the x-axis plate, the vertical base plate being fixed relative to the x-axis plate along the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis, the spindle being mounted to the y-axis plate.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein securing the threading tool in the combination tool comprises inserting the threading tool into the securing pocket.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein securing the threading tool in the combination tool further comprises engaging a fastener to secure the threading tool within the securing pocket.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein rotating the spindle comprises rotating the combination tool.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the product is a pipe.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the pipe defines a pipe end, and wherein the method further comprises reaming the pipe end with a reaming insert secured to the combination tool.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the body defines an insert groove, and wherein the reaming insert is secured within the insert groove.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
cutting threads into the product comprises cutting external threads into an outer surface of the product; and
moving the threading tool with the positioning assembly through the at least one pass around the product according to the x-axis movement, the y-axis movement, and the z-axis movement comprises moving the threading tool with the positioning assembly through at least one pass around the outer surface of the product according to the x-axis movement, the y-axis movement, and the z-axis movement.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the product is a pipe.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tool axis is coincidental with the axis of rotation.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second tool end is secured in the securing pocket, and wherein the first tool end extends outwards from the threading tool.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the positioning assembly further comprises a y-axis rail and a y-axis slider;
the y-axis rail is secured to the vertical base plate;
the y-axis slider is secured to the y-axis plate;
the y-axis slider slidably engages the y-axis rail; and
the y-axis rail and the y-axis slider are positioned between the y-axis plate and the vertical base plate.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein:
the positioning assembly comprises a y-axis ball-screw assembly;
the y-axis ball-screw assembly comprises a traveler coupled to the y-axis plate and the y-axis motor; and
the y-axis motor is configured to move the traveler along the y-axis ball-screw assembly.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the spindle is fixed relative to the y-axis plate along the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis.