Taper
Glossary · Part Features
At a glance
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- Written in the shop
A taper is a gradual, uniform change in diameter along the length of a part, specified either as an included angle or as a ratio of diameter change per unit length.
In practice
Tapers are used for self-holding tool mounts, for sealing threaded pipe connections, and to let a part locate itself precisely as it seats.
Why it matters
Matching tapers self-centre and can grip hard enough to hold under load with no fastener. That also means a taper that is a fraction of a degree off contacts on a line rather than over its full face, which will not hold and will not seal.
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