Abstract: A thread mill that is to be moved along a helical interpolation path while being rotated about an axis of the thread mill in a rotating direction, for forming a thread in a circumferential surface of a workpiece. The thread mill includes a cylindrical main body having (a) at least one spiral flute formed in an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical main body, and (b) at least one cutting edge each provided by a rear-side one of widthwise opposite edges, as viewed in the rotating direction, of a corresponding one of the at least one spiral flute. Each of the at least one spiral flute extends in a direction opposite to the rotating direction as viewed in a direction away from a proximal end of the cylindrical main body toward a distal end of the cylindrical main body. Also disclosed is a method of forming the thread by using the thread mill.

Abstract: A thread mill that is to be moved along a helical interpolation path while being rotated about an axis of the thread mill in a rotating direction, for forming a thread in a circumferential surface of a workpiece. The thread mill includes a cylindrical main body having (a) at least one spiral flute formed in an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical main body, and (b) at least one cutting edge each provided by a rear-side one of widthwise opposite edges, as viewed in the rotating direction, of a corresponding one of the at least one spiral flute. Each of the at least one spiral flute extends in a direction opposite to the rotating direction as viewed in a direction away from a proximal end of the cylindrical main body toward a distal end of the cylindrical main body. Also disclosed is a method of forming the thread by using the thread mill.

Abstract: A thread forming tap which is capable of reducing tapping torque as well as improving durability by avoiding an increase of an apparent area of margins of external thread that causes interference with a grinding stone. The thread forming tap has an external thread in a screw shape with alternately linked margins and reliefs for forming an internal thread by plastic deformation upon having the margins of the external thread bite into a surface of a prepared hole of a workpiece. A helix of the margins of the external thread is in a direction opposite to a direction of a helix of the external thread relative to an axis of the tap.

Abstract: A thread forming tap which is capable of reducing tapping torque as well as improving durability by avoiding an increase of an apparent area of margins of external thread that causes interference with a grinding stone. The thread forming tap has an external thread in a screw shape with alternately linked margins and reliefs for forming an internal thread by plastic deformation upon having the margins of the external thread bite into a surface of a prepared hole of a workpiece. A helix of the margins of the external thread is in a direction opposite to a direction of a helix of the external thread.