ThreadExpress 2.1 - A new design machining attachment.

In this video I introduce ThreadExpress 2.1 - a development of the original ThreadExpress invention, into a groundbreaking new machine tool thread machining attachment.
ThreadExpress 2.0 Introduction video: • ThreadExpress 2 - Thre...
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[@StephenKuhl-k7c]

Am in Sydney. Recently retired from 58 years in family jobbing shop doing Aircraft parts and mods and overhaul tools and gauges for helicopters etc. That device is sheer brilliance. I had 2 Matrix thread grinders that were old, but in near new condition. Lovely to make an exact thread that could be measured for pitch diameter to within 0.0003 inch. Inspect on SIP Optical projector at 50 x magnification. For single rib diamond dressed wheels, the head was set to helix angle as you have stated. But for production with a roller crushed wheel that can do half an inch or up to an inch or more of the thread in just one and a quarter revs of the work, the helix had to be at zero. Normal smaller threads can be fully finished in one and a third revs of work, and be well within class 3 tolerances . I am fascinated with this great tool, and think you have the spindle coupled to a fixed ratio drive that shifts a sine bar or tangent bar that generates the xial movement of the spindle. Jones and shipman used that to control the wheel infeed on their high precision 1070 gauge grinder, that guaranteed about 0.00003 inch. Am just waiting for a small vertical "toy mill" to make swarf in my garage. Am now 81 but still active. Would enjoy correspponding with you and might like info on that great probe.

[@Threadexpress]

Hi Stephen. I am so sorry; I missed your comment until now. I know the Matrix thread grinders well. Feel free to email me, email address above under about. Have you seen my latest video ThreadExpress revealed? Cheers, Cliff

[@davidmotoman4956]

Never Heard or seen, Your type of Machine before. But iam telling you after watching through your Video, Thought what a Great idea. I wish you the very best, being an inventory kind of person my self, I understand your Pain with patients an even getting Manufacturers to talk to you , can be very frustrating. But keep going my friend.

[@npalen]

That's a new twist on the word "inventory". Right?

[@Threadexpress]

Hi David. Thanks for taking the time to give encouragement and empathy. Cheers, Cliff

[@guye7763]

Keep up the good work, seems fantastic and worth persevering.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your encouragement! Cheers, Cliff

[@russelldold4827]

There is a parallel story in the horology world. The late George Daniels invented the coaxial escapement used by Omega. He had no success until he was able to speak with the actual watchmakers because the executives didn't understand the advantages over existing technologies. Your collaboration with Mark Pressling is genius!

[@Threadexpress]

Oh, that is interesting, yes it has been a struggle to get it out there. Thanks for your comment. Cliff

[@dimtt2]

You should also consider a version of this machine where instead of a mounting chuck,collet etc. for mounting the workpeace you have a spindle with the cutting tool mounted on it and the spindle can be offset to the centre of rotation of the helix advancing unit. Sort of like a planetary mechanism. That way the machine can be mounted for example to big workpieces that are very difficult and expensive to take apart and repair(like ship engine parts or huge industrial gearbox transmissions) and re-cut worn threads that have been repair welded in situ. Like a line boring tool but for recutting threads.

[@Threadexpress]

Interesting Idea. I have had that in the back of my mind after prototyping the original invention ThreadExpress 1. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m37Hm52IaLGlh9E Thanks for taking the time to suggest that. Cheers, Cliff

[@marianodiaz461]

we used to thread mill the inserts for beer bottles molds , with a similar setup , ( with a master thread guide) , because of the 4:1 reduction in your attachment , You may use patterns that are 4 times coarse than the thread that you want to manufacture, with a set of internal gears to match the thread reduction , BUT ! you also show us that there is a linear scale for the metric/imperial threads , so maybe a sine bar in there as well .anyway excellent work!

[@Threadexpress]

Your guess is noted. Cheers, Cliff

[@Preso58]

It's a pity that the TV series "New Inventors" got canned. It was a great showcase for ideas that needed a manufacturer. I hope you find a way of getting this tool to market. Did you get in touch with Gary at Eccentric Engineering?

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your well wishes Preso. Cheers, Cliff

[@sabinoroble2974]

You are doing clime milling, which leads me to think you have a milling machine with a ball screw lead, right?

[@Threadexpress]

Hi . Thanks for your comment. Cliff

[@billshiff2060]

Very interesting. I have been wondering about the helix angle problem in thread milling myself. Your device comes close to solving it. Good luck.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks! Cliff

[@caploader111]

I think it's brilliant. Since it can be set at an angle could it cut an acme thread? As I understand acme threads are impossible to cut the true form on a CNC Mill because of the helix angle error that you described. Though it can be made to work it doesn't have the true form the way a lathe could turn it.

[@Threadexpress]

Yes, it could cut an acme thread that was within its range of pitch and length. Cheers, Cliff

[@marianodiaz461]

I forgot to mention that years ago I screw cut the outside of the spindle on my Pacific mill with about the same method , Of course the outside of the spindle was hardened with 2 slots.....thank you for your answer

[@Threadexpress]

Cheers. Cliff

[@weldmachine]

Hi Cliff. I do remember the first version of Thread Express you were working on which basically gave you the name for your channel when you first started posting videos. It was a few years ago now, LOL. I can remember some of the design features of the original unit. It was something you had committed a lot of time to refining. Honestly Cliff. I don't see any Industrial shops taking on the Thread Express unless it was for Manufacturing for either yourself or someone else who might see some potential in trying to take it to market ??? Most shops either send work like this out to be completed, or they undertake the work themselves on CNC machines. Almost gone are the days of anyone spending much time to make or repair anything anymore. It's just more cost effective to replace. You did show some good uses for the Thread Express. But, most of these uses can simply be duplicated with more simple devices. Such as Rotary Tables or Collet Blocks. IF the Thread Express is something you can use in your shop to create another stream of work, this would be the best use for it. Another few concerns about the Thread Express ? COST ?? It doesn't seem like it would be that cheap to purchase. Also the other very frustrating factor of Design and Manufacture ?? Cheap copies ??? Patents and Copyrights are fine. IF you plan to take these claims to court. I have no faith in either of these, unless you're a Lawyer. The Wright brothers found out the hard way, how useless Patents were ??? My apologies Cliff for being so direct and possibly negative. I was genuinely hoping to see some good results from the Thread Express when I saw this video posted. But, reality seems to be, that you are still struggling to come to terms that the Thread Express is only valuable to you than to possible end users ???

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for taking the time to watch the video and give your genuine thoughts. No need to apologize for being direct, I appreciate it. I agree with many of your points. The main point we disagree on is that I think this attachment will be very useful for toolrooms, repair and jobbing shops. One feature I need to make clearer, is that it can just stay on the end of the mill, as it is not in the way of anything. All it takes is a few seconds to turn the turret at 45 degrees and you have a thread cutter and dividing head..allways at hand. You are actually using this seldom used feature of the turret mill. But it will not take off if only I think this. If you are reading this and agree or disagree with me, please comment here. Cliff

[@weldmachine]

@Threadexpress My main thoughts with the Thread Express is getting it onto the end of the Milling Machiine table ?? It's not to say that no one will have a use for it.. But, finding someone to take it on for Manufacturing ??? I did listen to your thoughts about how difficult it can be to gain access to serious Manufacturing businesses. I don't really see this as a main concern. I see the practicability of its use as the difficult part ?? I see the Thread Express as a tool with limited practical use in a Jobbing shop. Which is why you will find it a little difficult for someone else to take it on as something to produce on a large scale. Most manufacturers want to see volume of products to end users. Not limited in any way. IF you were willing to take on the Manufacturing yourself. You could see sales of the Thread Express. But, you mentioned this is not an option. IF produced in small quantities, you could see sales of the Thread Express. But, trying to find a Manufacturer to be as passionate as you about this product will be fairly difficult ??? As I see you demonstrating the Thread Express I find it difficult to find a serious use for it. Most Jobbing shops have access to CNC machines or, at minimum, CNC driven Milling machines as a way to reduce set-up times and to undertake the work of the Thread Express. For a Manufacturer or end user to produce or use a piece of equipment, it needs to be easy to understand. Currently, the Thread Express looks more like an idea than a practical tool to use in a shop. You show it as too cumbersome to mount onto the Milling Machiine. Many watching this will have already lost interest at this point ?? They will see it as a liability than an asset. Of course, as you mentioned, you plan to only mount the Thread Express once onto the Milling Machiine. But, will other users see it this way ?? I can only see myself removing it after each use. I totally dislike any extra pieces of equipment or Tooling anywhere near a Milling Machiine, the same goes for Rotary Tables or similar items left mounted in place for next time the same job comes along. Milling Machines in their nature are universal in their use. Mount the equipment required. Then remove after use for the next job. Before seriously taking the Thread Express to market. You need to improve the installation and removal of the Thread Express to a Milling Machiine. And possibly share some of the Tooling for its uses Rather than a random tool custom ground for the application. I would focus on these things first before trying to push forward with any plans for someone or yourself to manufacturer the Thread Express.

[@Threadexpress]

@@weldmachine Thanks again for your thoughts. Cliff

[@npalen]

What is the maximum pitch capability?

[@Threadexpress]

Hi - This subject is covered in the first video linked below at about 11mins in. Cliff

[@feelindizzy777]

how does it synchronise with the spindle?

[@Threadexpress]

Hi - It is 100% mechanical, I touch on the pitch generating mechanism subject at the end of the video. Cliff

[@machineshopinagarage4699]

Could you bolt a motorcycle head to it? For repairing the exhaust pipe threads? Cheers Ian

[@Threadexpress]

Hi Ian. You could set up small to medium size parts on it via a face plate or 4 jaw chuck. But this size machine would not suit large parts. Cheers, Cliff

[@robertcarr5846]

Hello Cliff I love it, if you need someone to try it out let me know

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for the feedback Robert! Cliff

[@311Bob]

Don't know if anyone pointed out that this may be a good tool to make custom leed screw nuts If it can cut acme threads long enough

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for that idea and your input here. Cheers, Cliff

[@davidmabe5052]

I would certainly be I interested in cad prints. I work at a shop and I am always getting off threading jobs for metric and English. Thank you.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks David. Please copy and paste your comment to the 2.2 video so I don't lose track of you. Cheers, Cliff

[@kudosjeg]

I hope your able to be very successful with your thread cutter, And if you aren't, I hope you give the information out to the community so it doesn't get lost in a dust pile somewhere. The only bad invention is the one that the world never got to see.

[@Threadexpress]

Thank you. Your points are noted. Cheers Cliff

[@the_real_randall]

your design is very similar to a sine bar rifling jig.

[@Threadexpress]

I checked that design out...it is different. Cheers, Cliff

[@unionse7en]

cool, keep it secret, I have fun dreaming about how it might be done... i use that kind of thinking to drop off to sleep at night. keep a list of thing to ponder before bed.

[@unionse7en]

BTW "thang010146" on you tube has all sorts of great mechanism animations

[@Threadexpress]

Ahh, nice to know, I do the same thing! You might also wake up, after dreaming how it works. Drop me an email if you do. Cheers, Cliff

[@EPaulIII]

Getting it out? I can understand your reluctance in making the internal details out. But, I think you might stand a better chance if you at least show the external control(s) where the thread pitch and indexing is done. And a word or two about weather those settings are accomplished in an analog or non-electronic digital manner without disclosing just how they work (gears, idler sliding on tapers, or whatever). I can tell you this, with the number of digital, electronic devices available, I personally would NOT be interested in any analog methods that could and probably would eventually show wear and therefore inaccuracy. Analog mechanisms require a lot of precision in their manufacture and precision equals EXPENSE. Contrast that to an electronic lead screw or a digital indexing mechanism for the mill that can be made with off-the-shelf components that are relatively inexpensive. If you are going to interest someone in manufacturing it, you must show them that it can be made at a price point where it is very likely to sell. Your very lack of showing even a picture of the controls that set these actions tells me that they are VERY, VERY LIKELY precisely the analog style mechanisms that I would avoid like the plague when recommending the spending of my own money or that of an employer whom I work for. Things that could help might be showing a lever or other control that switches from English to metric threads. Why would that help? Because it would tend to indicate that you are using gears or some other PRECISE way of determining the thread pitch and not some analog mechanism that will ultimately wear out of tolerance. And speaking of tolerance, you could actually state the numeric tolerances that your device can work to. Both in thread pitch and in angular divisions.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks again for watching the video so carefully and taking the time to give your thoughts. I understand your point, but I don't want to risk disclosing online any more information about the mechanism. Cheers, Cliff

[@EPaulIII]

Inaccuracies in your presentation: 1. You state that it is desirable to set the vertical angle of the thread being milled to the helix angle to avoid any inaccuracy in the thread form. This is not true. The, ALL THE documents that I have ever seen that define ANY of the many thread forms ALL show the geometry being DEFINED on a plane which includes the AXIS of the thread. What that means is that those geometries are all DEFINED with the assumption that a single point threading tool is going to be used with it's form being applied to the work piece on a plane that passes through the axis of the thread and that equates to the axis of a lathe that is turning the item being threaded. And if the tool is turned to an angle to that plane, then the angle(s) of the thread form as well as the linear dimensions will be incorrect. Perhaps not by much, but it will be incorrect. So, if you are going to tilt the axis of the thread being cut, then you should also change the angle(s) of the thread form on the cutting tool. In the case of standard, 60 degree threads, the thread milling cutter should have an included angle that is slightly greater than 60 degrees to compensate for that tilt. I would also disagree that a thread milling tool with it's axis parallel to the axis of the thread being milled would always cut into the flanks of the thread being milled. In some cases that might happen, but in almost all external threads where the thread diameter is equal to or greater than the diameter of the milling tool, I greatly doubt that it would be the case. Other relative geometries between tool and thread being cut may or may not have that problem. I don't know but they could be examined on an individual case. 2. In making the above statement, you say the cutter passes through the "gullet". It does NOT. It may or may not pass through the flanks of the thread form, but could never pass through the gullet. 3. While not technically wrong, your statement about using a threading die is misleading. I would never use a threading die to cut a long thread, neither by hand nor in the lathe. I would single point cut a long thread in the lathe to establish both the pitch and the conformity to the helix FIRST, leaving only a few thousandths remaining to be cut. And then use a threading die to finish that thread to final size. Single point threading in the lathe is much easier than using your device and following it with a threading die is also easier. Both of those operations together are perhaps the equivalent of using your device, which would almost certainly be more expensive. So that is not a real advantage of your device. This is particularly true when you consider that short threads CAN be cut with a threading die only. I fear this only shows that your device is an invention in search of both an actual use and a price that would permit sales. Please pardon me if I sound too negative. You may actually have something. But you do need to address some things if you ever hope to have it manufactured by others. I also have been in search for one or more marketable products. It is not easy. I KNOW that from personal experience. In any case I REALLY DO wish you luck.

[@Threadexpress]

Hi! Thanks for taking the time to post a detailed comment. I can see I need to be more specific about my exact terminology. 1. I am referring here to thread milling errors caused by the sweep of the cutter once it is past center. Re thread form specifications being based off the screw thread axis or at helix angle. There is a lot of debate about this, and evidence can be put forward for both sides of the argument. I take a practical approach here, if you take an extreme example e.g. a multistart 45 deg helix angle thread, you can see that the thread form cannot be based off the screw thread axis. Or, if the form was truly based off the screw thread axis, in theory anyway you would need different form specifications for every different pitch and diameter. 2. By thread gullet I mean the valley that is cut between the thread ridges. 3. Yes, I agree your procedure would be best if you want to use a die to cut a long thread. But we will have to agree to disagree on which procedure is quicker! Thanks for your good wishes! Cliff

[@caploader111]

Dude do you know the difference between a mill and a lathe. You're talking about thread form created by turning. You sound like a college educated engineer.

[@EitriBrokkr]

If you want to see your creation be used in the world, as opposed to being forgotten about after your death, I would suggest making it open source. Show the internals, make kits and plans available for purchase. People will buy them. You've put too much into this for it to disappear Into obscurity.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your thoughts. But I suspect only a few would really go ahead with building it. Cheers, Cliff

[@EitriBrokkr]

@@Threadexpress that's a few more than you are going to sell commercially. I know you have dreams of grandeur. Another time, another era you would have had it. But please don't take this one to the grave chasing unicorns.

[@Threadexpress]

@@EitriBrokkr I understand you drawing those conclusions and agree with some of your points. But I don't have dreams of grandeur. I realize a one-off selling price of the design would not be that high. But making plans and kits of high quality would be a lot of work for just a few buyers. If I do not find a buyer within a couple of years, I will probably just disclose the internal design. Cheers, Cliff

[@EitriBrokkr]

@@Threadexpress well put me first on the list for plans in a couple years. I'd gladly pay for them

[@Threadexpress]

@@EitriBrokkr Thanks. A future unveiling will likely be in the form of a free public video with dimensions etc. Specific plans require a lot of work, responsibility and ongoing support. Stay subscribed and if there is a video you will get a notification. Cliff