T-Rac project

T-RAC Influence of the quality of the core surface and its critical geometric parameters on the threading of 42CrMo4 used in windmills.

During 2021, NECO TIVOLY, a tap manufacturer, in collaboration with the RCVTI MGEP (Mondragon Goi Eskola Politeknikoa) centre and with the financial support of the HAZITEK programme of the Basque Government, has developed the first phase of the T-RAC project, whose main objective is to analyse and develop knowledge on the influence of the fundamental aspects of the geometry and topography of taps in order to optimise their performance in the production of high metre threaded holes in 42CrMo4 rings used in wind turbines, thus improving the productivity and reliability of large threading processes.

Among other things, work was carried out on the characterisation of three fundamental objectives:

> Determine, by means of finite element simulation and based on existing know-how, the influence of tap geometry factors in order to determine the appropriate tool geometry.

> Investigate the influence of the cutting edge radius on the tool life and the quality of the resulting threaded hole, in order to achieve a longer tool life and higher reliability.

> To study and define the optimum roughness of the impact and breakaway surfaces to ensure correct chip evacuation and adhesion to the surface coating.