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Tapping threads - DMLS parts

0
J
2

Hey everyone,

I’m working on a DMLS project and need to tap M10 threads into the part. Can anyone recommend the best/most cost-efficient design strategies for this? Here are my considerations:

  • Creating an 8.5 mm diameter vertical hole and relying on the precision of DMLS.
  • Creating a smaller hole (e.g., 6 mm), letting it be printed, and then drilling it out to 8.5 mm for more precision.
  • Not designing a hole at all and having it CNC drilled to 8.5 mm after the part is ready.

Any experiences or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Solved by Greg Paulsen

Great question. DMLS is precise enough that if you build the hole to the standard drill size, it can be directly tapped during post-processing. In this case, M10 threads would require an 8.5 mm hole. If this is a blind hole, please make sure that you have extra room for the tap to engage into the threads since the taps have a taper at the tip. I like to add 3-4 pitches of additional clearance at the bottom of my blind hole if possible to make sure threads are cut cleanly to my desired thread depth.

    • J

      Hey everyone,

      I’m working on a DMLS project and need to tap M10 threads into the part. Can anyone recommend the best/most cost-efficient design strategies for this? Here are my considerations:

      • Creating an 8.5 mm diameter vertical hole and relying on the precision of DMLS.
      • Creating a smaller hole (e.g., 6 mm), letting it be printed, and then drilling it out to 8.5 mm for more precision.
      • Not designing a hole at all and having it CNC drilled to 8.5 mm after the part is ready.

      Any experiences or advice would be greatly appreciated!

      0
    • Xometry Engineer

      Great question. DMLS is precise enough that if you build the hole to the standard drill size, it can be directly tapped during post-processing. In this case, M10 threads would require an 8.5 mm hole. If this is a blind hole, please make sure that you have extra room for the tap to engage into the threads since the taps have a taper at the tip. I like to add 3-4 pitches of additional clearance at the bottom of my blind hole if possible to make sure threads are cut cleanly to my desired thread depth.

      0
      Reply
      • J
        Greg Paulsen

        Many thanks!

        0
        Reply
Tapping threads – DMLS parts
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