1. What is Taper Per Foot?

Taper per foot (TPF) is a measurement of how much a diameter changes over a one-foot length. It's commonly used in machining and engineering to describe the gradual reduction in diameter of a cylindrical object.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the TPF formula:

Where:

• \( D \) — Large diameter (inches)
• \( d \) — Small diameter (inches)
• \( L \) — Length between diameters (inches)
• 12 — Conversion factor to get taper per foot

Explanation: The formula calculates the difference in diameters, divides by the length to get taper per inch, then multiplies by 12 to convert to taper per foot.

3. Importance of Taper Calculation

Details: Accurate taper calculation is crucial for machining operations, tool design, and ensuring proper fit of tapered components in mechanical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter diameters in inches (D must be larger than d), length in inches. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between taper and slope?
A: Taper refers to the diameter change in cylindrical objects, while slope typically refers to the incline of a flat surface.

Q2: How is taper different from angle?
A: Taper is a linear measurement (inches per foot) while angle is measured in degrees. They can be converted using trigonometry.

Q3: What are common taper standards?
A: Common standards include Morse tapers, Jarno tapers, and Brown & Sharpe tapers, each with specific TPF values.

Q4: Can this calculator be used for metric units?
A: The formula works with any consistent units, but the result will be in the same units per foot. For metric, you might want mm per 300mm.

Q5: How precise should my measurements be?
A: For machining applications, measurements should typically be precise to at least 0.001 inches for accurate results.