Exotap DC oil tap boosts tool life and productivity in gear drive production
Kelly Zago | OSG Canada
Founded in 1976, NAMCO Machine & Gear Works Ltd. is a high technology manufacturing company specialized in the production of gears and gearboxes, power transmission equipment, rotating equipment, and other high-quality production machined components. NAMCO products are compact, sturdy and economical to suit most engineering applications. Employing over 70 staff, NAMCO is headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with an estimate production area of 60,000-square-feet. With over 40 years of success, NAMCO has built a solid reputation for quality, service and reliability. The company continually strives to expand and evolve in order to meet the rapid changes and demanding standards of the industries they serve.
Founded in 1976, NAMCO Machine & Gear Works Ltd. is a high technology manufacturing company specialized in the production of gears and gearboxes, power transmission equipment, rotating equipment, and other high-quality production machined components. Employing over 70 staff, NAMCO is headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with an estimate production area of 60,000-square-feet. Photo courtesy of NAMCO.
Recently, OSG Canada Western Regional Sales Manager Jason Kennedy reached out to NAMCO to provide technical support on an application where they were experiencing poor quality and tool life of threads. The part being manufactured is a gear case for a NAMCO split shaft PTO gear drive made of ductile cast iron. NAMCO has been making the part for approximately 10 years with a production volume of over 500 pieces annually. More than 50 blind holes at a hole depth of 0.65-inch in various sizes are required to be drilled and threaded per part. The parts are machined using a DMG Mori NHX 6300 horizontal machining center.
From left to right, NAMCO President Bernard Vukovic and OSG Canada Western Regional Sales Manager Jason Kennedy pose for a photograph at the NAMCO manufacturing facility in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
NAMCO was originally using a competitor tap for the application but was unsatisfied with the quality and tool life. Upon a detail evaluation of the application, Kennedy recommended OSG’s Exotap DC Oil Tap (EDP#1005300508) for the most common size on the job.
An operator from NAMCO prepares for the machining of the gear drive.
OSG’s Exotap DC oil tap is a reliable and versatile tap series engineered for cast iron, ductile iron and cast aluminum applications. Its eccentric thread relief reduces friction during cutting, thereby minimizes heat generation and extends life. The Exotap DC features a straight flute rigid tap design suitable for both through and blind holes. Its multi-layered TiCN coating resists thermal cracking while increases surface hardness. The combination of ultra-strong rake with OSG’s VC10 powdered metal substrate makes this tap series the absolute best solution for threading ductile castings.
The Exotap DC oil tap series is OSG’s premium line of taps specifically designed for cast iron, ductile iron and cast aluminum applications.
The competitor TiN coated tap was used at a cutting speed of 50 SFM and a feed rate of 34 IPM. The OSG Exotap DC Oil Tap was used at a cutting speed of 75 SFM and a feed rate of 51 IPM. The competitor tap averaged a tool life of 200 holes before there were quality issues with the threads. The Exotap DC, on the other hand, was able to complete more than 8,000 holes before having to be replaced due to wear. The Exotap DC outperforms the competitor tool in both tool life and productivity. Moreover, a great deal of tool change time can be eliminated.
By implementing OSG’s Exotap DC, NAMCO is not only able to gain 40 times the tool life, but also improve productivity and efficiency to deliver the best possible results for its clients.
“We are very satisfied with the OSG product and the customer service and support from their local team,” said NAMCO President Bernard Vukovic.
The Exotap DC outperforms the competitor tool in both tool life and productivity in NAMCO’s gear drive production. Moreover, a great deal of tool change time can be eliminated.
“We will continue working with OSG in the future and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship,” said Vukovic.
For more information on OSG’s Exotap DC oil tap series and NAMCO Machine & Gear Works Ltd.
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