A tapping apparatus adapted for tapping a workpiece includes a lower die unit to drive the workpiece to move along a conveying direction, and an upper die unit disposed above and movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the lower die unit. A tapping mechanism is disposed between the lower and upper die units to be driven by the upper die unit for tapping the workpiece so that the workpiece is formed with a tapped hole. A thread checking mechanism is disposed between the lower and upper die units and is spaced apart from the tapping mechanism along the conveying direction. The thread checking mechanism is driven by the upper die unit for checking the tapped hole of the workpiece.

A tapping apparatus adapted for tapping a workpiece includes a lower die unit to drive the workpiece to move along a conveying direction, and an upper die unit disposed above and movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the lower die unit. A tapping mechanism is disposed between the lower and upper die units to be driven by the upper die unit for tapping the workpiece so that the workpiece is formed with a tapped hole. A thread checking mechanism is disposed between the lower and upper die units and is spaced apart from the tapping mechanism along the conveying direction. The thread checking mechanism is driven by the upper die unit for checking the tapped hole of the workpiece.

Various methods are described for forming threads in a workpiece, and particularly for controlling and/or monitoring threading of workpieces. Also described are tools and a system used in performing the methods.

Various methods are described for forming threads in a workpiece, and particularly for controlling and/or monitoring threading of workpieces. Also described are tools and a system used in performing the methods.

Power drive tools are described. The tools include one or more threading pawls, one or more release pawls, and a drive ring selectively positionable relative to the tool and engaged with the pawls to selectively extend or retract the pawls. Also described are tools that include one or more lights to illuminate a workpiece. Also described are tools having distally located shoulder regions at which force may readily be applied. In addition, gear train assemblies for use in the power drive tools are described.

Power drive tools are described. The tools include one or more threading pawls, one or more release pawls, and a drive ring selectively positionable relative to the tool and engaged with the pawls to selectively extend or retract the pawls. Also described are tools that include one or more lights to illuminate a workpiece. Also described are tools having distally located shoulder regions at which force may readily be applied. In addition, gear train assemblies for use in the power drive tools are described.

Disclosed is an integrated tapping and drill attachment which includes a predetermined tapping configuration or mode which provides the desired flexibility for tapping, and also a predetermined drilling configuration or mode which provides the desired concentric and axial guidance as well as the desired rigidity for drilling operations.

A tap holder includes a body extending along an axis and having a front end portion defining a front opening and an externally threaded portion. A gripping assembly includes a spring having first and second legs, a first jaw mounted to the first leg, and a second jaw mounted to the second leg. Each jaw has a tapered outer wall and an inner wall with the inner walls of the jaws facing each other. A sleeve has an internally threaded bore threadably received on the externally threaded portion of the body, and an inner tapered surface configured to abut the tapered outer walls of the first and second jaws. As the sleeve is rotated relative to the body, a distance between the first and second gripping surfaces may be adjusted for gripping a tap between the inner walls of the first and second jaws. Each of the inner walls includes first and second gripping surfaces, the first gripping surfaces defining a first width therebetween for gripping taps having a first range of head sizes, and the second gripping surfaces defining a larger second width therebetween for gripping taps having a second, different range of head sizes.

A tap holder includes a body extending along an axis and having a front end portion defining a front opening and an externally threaded portion. A gripping assembly includes a spring having first and second legs, a first jaw mounted to the first leg, and a second jaw mounted to the second leg. Each jaw has a tapered outer wall and an inner wall with the inner walls of the jaws facing each other. A sleeve has an internally threaded bore threadably received on the externally threaded portion of the body, and an inner tapered surface configured to abut the tapered outer walls of the first and second jaws. As the sleeve is rotated relative to the body, a distance between the first and second gripping surfaces may be adjusted for gripping a tap between the inner walls of the first and second jaws. Each of the inner walls includes first and second gripping surfaces, the first gripping surfaces defining a first width therebetween for gripping taps having a first range of head sizes, and the second gripping surfaces defining a larger second width therebetween for gripping taps having a second, different range of head sizes.

A device (44) for forming a thread in a workpiece has a housing and a plurality of tool receptacles (2) rotatably and displaceably mounted in or on the housing for a respective thread-forming tool, wherein a linear drive and a rotary drive for the tool receptacles (2) are integrated into the housing.