Overall, tapping can be a great way of threading holes in parts under the right circumstances, but you may need to resort to other techniques when working with certain materials and thread forms or when you want to mitigate tool breakage risk.

100% diamond that directly binds nano-order diamond particles with high strength. Demonstrates optimum wear and fracture resistance as well as the best edge sharpness

As mentioned above, tapping is a type of threading process for creating internal threads in holes. Threading is a generic term used to describe when threads, either internal or external, are created using various types of cutting tools. You can thread a hole or bore to create internal threads, but you can also thread external cylindrical features to create threaded rods or fasteners. External threading can be accomplished using a cutting die, a single-point cutting tool on a lathe, roll forming tools, and more.

Drastically improves reliability in the unstable cutting range, thanks to the excellent adhesion and peel-off resistance of the new PVD coating as well as the improved fracture resistance of the dedicated carbide substrate

Trianglecarbide Insertsizes

What is the difference between tapping and threading? We'll look at the similarities and differences and help dispel some of the confusion between these two terms.

High-speed, high-efficiency grade with great high-temperature strength, which realises excellent wear resistance in high-efficiency machining

A tapped hole is simply a type of threaded hole. More specifically, it is a threaded hole produced by using a tap. These tools consist of a rod with sharp edges or teeth that cut into the sides of holes, forming internal spiral grooves (threads) as they cut away material. Tapping is a fast and convenient way of threading a hole and is one of the most common techniques we see in our shops.

Xometry is familiar with all sorts of threads and threading techniques, allowing us to make custom parts with everything from standard UN or metric threads to custom thread forms. Tapping and threading both involve the creation of threads, but there are some differences.

Alumina coating with even higher strength balances outstanding stability and wear resistance in mill-scale work on forged material. Gold-colored coating makes used corners easily identifiable

Carbide insertgradechart

Our 1st recommended grade for ductile cast iron. New high-adhesion, high-strength CVD coating realises both wear resistance and chipping resistance

Combines a high-hardness carbide substrate with excellent wear resistance and a new CVD coating with improved coating strength to achieve both excellent wear resistance and fracture resistance. Achieves long, stable tool life during high-speed cutting

KennametalinsertGradechartpdf

General-purpose grade for titanium machining that features excellent wear and thermal resistance. For applications from roughing to finishing

For high-speed machining, BN1000 provides the highest wear resistance of all uncoated SUMIBORON grades, improving fracture resistance while maintaining an emphasis on wear resistance

High-precision grade realizing long tool life with excellent surface roughness and stable machining. Maintains excellent surface roughness thanks to a high notch-wear resistant coating and tough CBN substrate

High-speed, high-efficiency grade with great high-temperature strength, which realises excellent wear resistance in high-efficiency machining

A new cermet substrate with excellent thermal conductivity is used to achieve outstanding thermal crack resistance. Also uses Brilliant Coat, which has excellent lubricity

As far as limitations go, we will focus on the limitations of tapping since threading encompasses all other types of thread-creation techniques. Here are limitations to be aware of with tapping:

Development of crater damage is suppressed by controlling the orientation of the alumina crystal grains. Achieves long, stable tool life during high-speed and high feed cutting

High-speed, high-efficiency grade with great high-temperature strength, which realises excellent wear resistance in high-efficiency machining

General-purpose grade with excellent wear resistance, fracture resistance, and thermal shock resistance, suitable for machining of cast iron and exotic alloys

1st recommended grade, balancing excellent wear resistance and fracture resistance in hardened steel machining.Along with a tough CBN substrate, the coating combines wear resistance and toughness to achieve long, stable tool life even in high-efficiency and interrupted machining

A general-purpose cermet made from hard grains with different grain sizes, delivering functionality that provides an excellent balance of wear resistance and toughness, along with good surface finish quality

High-density sintered material made of ultra-fine grain diamond that demonstrates optimum wear and fracture resistance and excellent edge sharpness

Our 1st recommended grade for turning exotic alloys as it realises stable tool life with high-speed, high-efficiency machining

Tensile stress removal of the coating layer greatly improves fracture resistance. Achieves long, stable tool life during heavy interrupted cutting

Employs a new PVD coating, and a dedicated tough carbide substrate. High-quality cutting edge grade suppresses adhesion and micro-chipping, realizing excellent machined surface quality

The content appearing on this webpage is for informational purposes only. Xometry makes no representation or warranty of any kind, be it expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or validity of the information. Any performance parameters, geometric tolerances, specific design features, quality and types of materials, or processes should not be inferred to represent what will be delivered by third-party suppliers or manufacturers through Xometry’s network. Buyers seeking quotes for parts are responsible for defining the specific requirements for those parts. Please refer to our terms and conditions for more information.

Achieves high-efficiency, improved machining accuracy, and long tool life in machining of exotic alloys such as titanium alloy and Co-Cr alloys

Carbide insertmaterial codes

Let’s take a look at the similarities and differences between these two terms, starting with the area where most confusion stems from: tapped and threaded holes.

Our 1st recommended grade for turning of stainless steel, achieving long and stable machining. Drastically reduces the abnormal damage common in stainless steel machining, thanks to the improved coating strength and excellent adhesion

A general-purpose cermet made from hard grains with different grain sizes, delivering functionality that provides an excellent balance of wear resistance and toughness, along with good surface finish quality

High-hardness cermet with outstanding wear resistance and toughness. Realises high dimensional accuracy for continuous steel machining or finishing of powdered metal or cast iron

Superior fracture resistance, providing excellent stability in interrupted unstable cutting and when cutting mill-scaled work

Our 1st recommended grade for turning steel. Surface smoothing technology significantly suppresses adhesion of work material components. Achieves long, stable tool life with various cutting speeds and work materials

At Xometry, we deal with all sorts of internal and external threads on a daily basis. We can create everything from standardized UN and metric threads to fine-pitch optical threads to completely custom forms. We are also experienced with using various types of inserts such as press-fit, helical, key locking inserts, and more to add threads to parts.

Carbide insertidentificationchartPDF

Employs Brilliant Coat PVD coating with excellent lubricity to provide better wear resistance and consistent surface finishes in low-speed cutting applications such as machining of small products or low carbon steel

High-hardness cermet with outstanding wear resistance and toughness. Realises high dimensional accuracy for continuous steel machining or finishing of powdered metal or cast iron

CarbidegradeChart

Turninginsertgradechart

In short, a tapped hole is a type of threaded hole, but a threaded hole is not always a tapped hole. With Xometrys Instant Quoting Engine® we make it easy to call out the number of threads a part has to ensure an accurate quote and to easily communicate part requirements to the manufacturing shop.

Hertelinsertgradechart

The tapping and threading processes are similar in that they both create internal threads for a threaded fastener, such as a bolt, to fit into. They can also both be used with blind or through holes. A hole is considered blind when it does not go entirely through the workpiece.

High-hardness cermet with outstanding wear resistance and toughness. Realises high dimensional accuracy for continuous steel machining or finishing of powdered metal or cast iron

High-hardness cermet with outstanding wear resistance and toughness. Realises high dimensional accuracy for continuous steel machining or finishing of powdered metal or cast iron

Superior wear and plastic deformation resistant grade, that utilizes a high hardness carbide substrate coupled with the high hardness Super FF Coat for high speed to continuous turning of Cast Iron

If you have custom parts that require threads, consider Xometry for your next project. You can get instant pricing and lead times by uploading your CAD files to the Xometry Instant Quoting Engine® and configuring your automatic quote today!

Threaded holes are holes with internal threads created using threading tools such as taps, thread mills, or with the aid of threaded inserts. In engineering, fastened parts aren’t complete without threaded holes. Threads are often added during CNC machining for speed and accuracy. It is common for threading to be one of the final steps of making a part, especially if threaded inserts are involved.

Tough grade for titanium machining with excellent fracture and thermal resistance. Perfect for interrupted cutting and mill-scaled work