Chapter 3

Taper Turning

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course the student will be able to:

- Identify and state the purpose of self-holding and self releasing tapers

- Cut-short, steep tapers by using the compound rest

- Calculate and cut tapers on work between centres by offsetting the tailstock

- Calculate and machine tapers with a taper attachment

- Describe the operation of tapering

Duration
1 Hour

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Chapter 1 Taper Turning

General
A taper can be defined as a uniform change in the diameter whether increase or decrease of
a workpiece for a given length measured parallel to the axis. Tapers provide a rapid and
accurate means of aligning and holding machine parts. Since tapers permit the
interchangeability of certain cutting tools or attachments with extreme accuracy, they have
contributed to economical industrial practice. Some milling cutters, twist drills, reamers, and
lathe centers have tapered shanks which fit into the tapered spindle of a machine tool.

Tapers may be external or internal and are expressed in taper per foot (TPF), taper per inch
(TPI), or degrees (Xo). Those used on machines and tools (machine tapers) are classified by
a standard as self-holding tapers, and self-releasing or steep tapers.

Types of the taper

Self- Holding Taper

Self-holding tapers, are those which, when properly seated, remain in position due to the
wedging action of the taper. The self-holding taper series is composed of the Brown and
Sharpe taper, the Morse taper, and the 3/4" per foot machine tapers. Although the wedging
action of the taper provides some frictional drive, the smaller sizes of self-holding tapers have
a tang to prevent the tapered adaptor from slipping in the spindle of the machine. Larger
tapers generally have keys or draw-in bolts to secure the taper in the spindle.

Steep or Self- Releasing Tapers

Steep tapers formerly known as milling machine tapers, are used for alignment of machine
parts such as milling machine arbors and accessories. The drive to the accessory is provided
by means of two diagonally opposite keys, which engage in slots in the collar of the adaptor.
Since this taper (3 1/2" per foot) is not a self-holding type, the adaptor is held securely in the
spindle by means of a drawbolt.

Other applications of self-releasing tapers may be found on type L and type D-1 lathe spindle
noses. The type L spindle nose has a long taper of 3 1/2" per foot. It employs a key drive,
and a threaded ring secures the chuck or driveplate to the spindle. The type D-1 spindle
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nose has a very short taper (3" taper per foot). The chuck or driveplate is positioned to the
spindle by the taper and is secured to the spindle by three earn-locking devices.

Taper can be turned or produced on a lathe by three methods;

a) By using the compound slide

b) By using the taper turning attachment which has been set to the angle required

c) By offsetting the tailstock.

Specification of the Metric taper

Metric tapers are expressed as a ratio of 1 mm per unit of length (k). This taper would then
be expressed as a ratio of 1: k and would be indicated on a drawing as "taper = 1:k" Since
the work tapers 1 mm in ‘k’ mm of length, the diameter at a point ‘k’ mm from the small
diameter (d) will be 1 mm larger (d + 1).

The following dimensions are of significance for taper turning calculations and settings:

l = taper length

D = large diameter

d = small diameter

k = unit length of taper

1 :k = taper ratio

A taper ratio of 1:k means that in the distance ‘k’ along the length of the taper, the diameter
taper will increase or decrease by 1 mm. The taper ratio is calculated based on the following
formula:

1:k = 1/k = (D-d)/l

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Example

D = 20 mm, d =10mm, l = 50 mm

Solution
1/k = (D – d)/l
= (20- 10)/50
= 1/5

Therefore 1:k = 1:5

Some common metric tapers are:

Milling machine spindle 1: 3.429

Morse taper shank 1: 20 (approx.)
Tapered pins and pipe threads 1:50

Metric Taper Calculations

If the small diameter (d), the unit length of taper (k), and the total length of taper (l) are
known, the large diameter (D) may be calculated. The large diameter (D) will be equal to the
small diameter plus the amount of taper. The amount of taper for the unit length (k) is (d + 1)
- (d) or 1 mm. Therefore the, taper ratio one millimeter of unit length = 1/k. The total amount
of taper is the taper per millimeter (I/k) multiplied by the total length of taper (l);

Total taper = 1/k x l or l/k

D = d + total amount of taper

= d + l/k

Example

Calculate the large diameter D for a 1: 30 taper having a small diameter of 10 mm and a
length of 60 mm.
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Solution

Since the taper is 1: 30, k = 30

D = d + l/k
= 10 + 60/30
= 10+2
=12mm

Methods Producing a Taper on Lathe

Cutting a Taper Using the Compound slide

Short, steep tapers which are given in degrees, can be cut on the lathe by swiveling the
compound rest to the required angle. The cutting tool is fed by means of the compound slide
feed handle.

By using the compound slide it is possible to produce highly accurate conical shapes with
any taper angle. The distance traveled by the slide, however, is limited. This means that only
short tapers can be turned by this method. The compound slide is turned to the setting
angle, a/2 in such a way that it is parallel to the line of the taper to be turned. Whether the
compound slide is turned to the left or to the right depends on the direction of the taper. The
correct angle is set with the aid of the graduated dial on the slide.

1. Check the drawing for the angle of the taper.

2. Loosen the compound rest locknuts.

3. Swivel the compound rest to the required angle which is setting angle (a/2).
Note: If the included angle is given, the compound rest is swiveled to half the included
angle.

4. Tighten the compound rest locknuts.

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Note: Since the compound rest studs are generally small in diameter, pull the wrench with
two fingers when tightening the nuts to avoid stripping the thread.

5. Set the toolbit on center and position it so the point and not the side does the cutting.

6. Bring the toolbit up to the workpiece by means of the crossfeed screw and carriage
handwheel.

The setting angle a/2 is worked out by

using the trigonometric function below;

Tan a/2 = D-d

2ℓ

Where; a = taper angle

a/2 = setting angle

The value calculated from the above formula is that of the corresponding angle, which can be
taken from tables of tangents (see book of tables).

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Example 3;

D = 80 mm, d = 60 mm, ℓ = 160 mm,

Tan (ϴ/2)= D-d

2ℓ

= 80 - 60

2 (160)

ϴ/2 = tan-1(20/320)

= 3.57o

The taper turning attachment

Using the taper turning attachment, tapers can be turned with a setting angle of up to 15 o.
The length of the taper is limited, however, by the length of the taper turning attachment or
taper bar (approximately 500 mm). The taper turning attachment is offset by one half of the
taper and the guide bar is connected rigidly to the lathe bed.

The nut clamping the cross-feed is then loosened and the cross-slide is connected to the
taper turning attachment. The saddle acts on the taper turning attachment causing the
positive movement of the cross-slide in the direction of the taper. The setting angle for this
operation is worked out using the same formula as for the compound slide method.

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Setting over the tailstock

When the lathe machine is not equipped with a taper attachment and the part to be turned is
held between centers, the tailstock center may be offset from the centerline to produced a
taper. Since the amount that the tailstock center can be offset is limited, steep tapers and
standard tapaers cannot be turned on a long workpiece.

When adjusting a tailstock, certain precautions must be observed;

a. care must be taken to see that the dog does not bind agianst the drive plate.

b. The centers must be adjusted carefully to minimise the distortion on the center
holes of the workpiece.

c. The tailstock must be accurately set over if accuracy is required in the taper.
Note; if a number of identical tapered parts are required, it is essential that all
the workpiece be exactly the same lentgh. The center holes are drilled to the
same depth.

Adjusting the tailstock

The amount of tailstock offset can be checked by three methods;

a. by the graduated scale on the end of tailstock

b. by mean of the dial indicator mounted on the toolpost

c. by using the graduated croosfeed screw collar and feeler gage.

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With this method long, narrow tapers are turned between centres. The tailstock centre is set
over out of line with the work axis.To avoid undue wear on the centres, the tailstock should
not be offset by more than 1/50 the of the length of the work. After completion of the turning
operation, the line of the taper lies parallel with the lathe bed. Special ball-end centres
should be used. If the taper extends the entire length of the work piece, offset of the tailstock
is equal to half the diameter difference.

Where;

X = tailstock offset

D = major diameter

d = minor diameter

L = length of the workpiece

X = (D – d)/2 = mm Example:

D = 50 mm , d = 45 mm

X = (50 – 45)/2

= 2.5 mm

If the taper is only over a portion of the actual work piece length, the previous calculation is
modified. If the headstock and tailstock centers had been at the ends of the taper, the
tailstock offset would have been (D-d )/ 2.

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Because the center are now further apart, the tailstock offset must be increased by a factor of

Total length = L
Length of taper l

Example;

L = 1400mm, l = 800mm, D = 50mm, d = 45mm, calculate tailstock offset.

Solution;

x = (D – d) x L

2 l

= 50 – 45 x 1400

2 800

= 4.375 mm

Example;

Calculate the tailstock offset required to turn a 1: 30 taper X 60 mm long on a workpiece 300
mm long. The small diameter of the tapered section is 20 mm.

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Solution;
Tailstock offset = D-d XL
D = d + l/k
2xl
= 20 + 60/30
= 22 - 20 X 300
= 20 + 2 2 x 60

= 22 mm

= 2 X 300

120

= 5 mm

Measurinq and Testing for Trueness of Taper

The diameters may be assessed and the lengths measured with a vernier caliper or
micrometer. The taper itself is tested with a taper ring gauge, sine bar, or taper micrometer.
or, for internal tapers, a taper plug gauge.

Tapers can be checked for accuracy of fit

and for size with a taper ring gage. These
gages generally have steps ground on the
end to indicate the tolerance on the distance
the taper should advance into the ring gage.
When checking the accuracy of a taper with
a ring gage, use the same procedure outlined
under fitting a taper. The diameter of the
taper is correct if the end of the taper comes
between the limit steps ground on the gage.
a taper ring gage

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Procedures;

When Using Tapered Ring Gages

1. Clean the part and the gage thoroughly before checking the taper.

2. Do not force or twist the gage excessively as this causes the gage to wear,

Note;Checking a Taper Using the Standard Micrometer If a ring gage is

not available, the accuracy of the taper can be checked by using a stand.

When using micrometer.

1. Clean the tapered workpiece and apply bluing to it.

2. Mark off 2 lines exactly 1" apart.

3. Carefully measure the taper with a micrometer so that the edge of the anvil and
spindle just touch the lines. Record both readings; the difference between these two
is the taper per inch of the workpiece.

Note; When measuring the diameter, it is very important to be sure that the
edges of the caliper or the micrometer are at a 90" angle to the work axis.

4. Convert the taper per inch to taper per foot or angle of taper as required.

5. Compare the T.P.F. of the workpiece to the taper required, correct if necessary.

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Answer Sheet

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