Bridgeport Interact Series 1 - TNC145 Tapping Cycle Issues

Hi,

I'm new to this forum. Just bought my first CNC mill which is a Bridgeport Interact Series 1. I'm just getting my head around the cycles which the machine has in it's TNC145 control.

At the moment I'm trying to get the tapping cycle working successfully, though I keep stripping the thread as the tool is retracted. I'm using a M8 x 1.25 spiral flute tap on an aluminium plate. I'm using a feedrate of 625mm/min, spindle speed 500RPM and dwell time 0sec. The thread seems to be cutting okay as the spindle plunges into the workpiece (clockwise), though then dwells for 1 second with the spindle rotating before the spindle is automatically reversed and the tap is retracted at the same federate and spindle rpm.

Is there a way to remove this 1 second dwell between spindle rotations? I feel this is causing the thread to be stripped out....

Thanks,
Ben

How are you holding the tap

I have the tap rigidly mounted in a QC30 tool holder

There is no rigid tapping on that machine change to a floating tapping head and will solve problem the dwell allows for the spindle to stop and reverse

Though when the z-axis 'dwells' for a second the spindle is still spinning clockwise. Would a floating tapping head prevent the threads from stripping when the z-axis is stationary and the spindle is still spinning clockwise?

Yes as the spindle slows the head allows the tap to float down a couple of mm's and on retraction it starts lifting up preventing threads stripping

Great thanks! Would you be able to recommend a certain type of floating head for the Bridgeport interact QC30 toolholder?

You may be able to get away with spring loaded collets dependant on speeds and tap size
Where are you based

Bristol

Message me your email or phone number and I'll send you a pic as I'm in Kent

[email protected]

..Hi All,

I was reading your thread and went looking for an example of a Floating Tap holder QC30 type. I don't think anyone makes them but, I did discover something interestingly new to me about CNC Tooling available these days (for a price)...so I will pass it on as more options for ya.
https://www.cncshop.com/us_en/er32-f...ap-collet.html

happy hunting,
DJ

Thanks DJ! Yeah comes at a price :/ was hoping to find a cheaper solution.....

AFAIK an interact 1 145 not only does not do rigid tapping in any way, it does not reverse the spindle. YOu have a switch that must be fwd or rev no? varispeed head with air speed change?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gus

AFAIK an interact 1 145 not only does not do rigid tapping in any way, it does not reverse the spindle. YOu have a switch that must be fwd or rev no? varispeed head with air speed change?

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Well mine certainly does :/ is part of the standard tapping cycle. Spindle plunges clockwise, dwells for a second, reverses and retracts anti-clockwise?!

Yes there’s a switch on the spindle control for high and low speed. If you select low speed when the gearbox is in high speed it will spin in reverse and visa versa. Yeah has the airspeed change.