In the world of modern manufacturing, incremental gains can mean the difference between meeting deadlines and missing opportunities. Productivity, tool life, and process stability are always under scrutiny, and manufacturers are constantly on the lookout for tools that can reliably push those boundaries. Sutton Tools has long been trusted by machinists worldwide for tapping solutions, and now the company is proud to announce its latest breakthrough: the NH+ Tap Series.

Developed over 18 months of rigorous research, testing, and refinement, the NH+ series represents a bold evolution of Sutton’s NH taps. Designed for Normal-to-Harder Steels, it’s proven to be quite universal in application across a wide range of materials, NH+ taps are engineered to give machinists what they have been asking for: longer tool life, smoother chip evacuation, and consistent performance even under demanding conditions.

To dive deeper into the story behind this innovation, we spoke with Dr. John Navarro, Lead Research and Development Engineer at Sutton Tools, who played a central role in the NH+ development program.

Building on a Legacy

The original NH series being designed for normal to hard materials, 35 HRC was about its limit, leaving a gap in the hardness range. But Sutton’s commitment to continuous improvement meant it was only a matter of time before the next evolution emerged, that could reach hardnesses of around 42HRC.

So, what makes NH+ a genuine step forward?

Dr. Navarro explains: “Several characteristics of the tools have been modified to ease chip evacuation. In addition, the use of a stronger substrate and coating, in comparison to the original NH taps, distinguishes this new tap range.”

It is a seemingly small detail, but one that adds up to significant advantages in practice. Cleaner chip evacuation reduces heat and load on the spindle, while improved coatings and substrates give machinists more confidence when running at higher cutting conditions.

Why Substrate Matters

The heart of NH+ lies in its substrate: HSSE-PM. While conventional high-speed steel with cobalt (HSSE) has been a proven performer for decades, Sutton Tools took it a step further by adopting powder metallurgy (PM) technology.

“Compared to conventional HSSE,” Navarro says, “the PM-Co component enhances the tool’s mechanical properties, enabling it to withstand tougher and more demanding processes, including harder materials and higher cutting conditions.”

In other words, machinists can push harder without fear of premature tool failure. This resilience translates to higher productivity, fewer tool changes, and better results across steels up to 42 HRC, stainless steels, cast irons, and even aluminium.

The Geometry Advantage

Of course, a stronger substrate is only part of the story. Geometry plays an equally important role in whether a tap performs well or fails quickly.

Navarro recalls the extensive testing his team carried out:

“Testing different geometries was a key part of the R&D process that allowed us to identify the optimal geometry for different applications that provided longer tool life and a smooth swarf evacuation.”

By fine-tuning the flute design, relief angles, and cutting-edge details, the NH+ delivers reliable chip control while maintaining thread quality. The outcome is a tool that not only lasts longer but also supports more stable machining processes, which is vital for manufacturers chasing both quality and efficiency.

Coatings that Do More

If substrate and geometry form the foundation, coatings are the protective shield. For NH+, Sutton Tools introduced advanced proprietary coatings designed to extend tool life while boosting process stability.

Dr. Navarro explains: “The advanced coating has higher strength, which gives more stability to the cutting edge. Moreover, the advanced coating reduces friction between the tap and the machined material, causing a reduction in temperature on the tool. These factors combined extend the tool’s lifetime while maintaining a steadier process.”

Lower friction does more than keep the tool cooler. It improves chip evacuation and reduces wear, resulting in cleaner threads and less downtime. For a machinist, that means the NH+ is not just more durable but more dependable day in and day out.

One Tap, Many Materials

One of the most practical benefits of the NH+ Tap Series is its versatility. Traditionally, manufacturers have had to stock and switch between multiple taps depending on material type, which slows production and adds complexity. The NH+ simplifies that challenge.

“This new tap range has been designed and tested to endure high cutting conditions while maintaining a smooth chip evacuation,” Navarro says. “In machining of metallic materials, these two factors are critical to maintain a stable process, and this tap matches these current needs.”

This universality means shops can standardise on a single tap range without compromising performance, making inventory management simpler while ensuring consistency across jobs.

Looking to the Future

The NH+ series is not just about today’s performance. It also sets a benchmark for what is to come in tapping technology.

Dr. Navarro reflects: “The integration of new technologies on R&D and the production floor has allowed us to develop a tool with several features that could not be produced in earlier years. This tool will allow users to push the limitations on their operations, while Sutton remains committed to producing products that meet the latest customer needs.”

The NH+ Tap Series demonstrates how advancements in materials science, geometry refinement, and coating technology can combine to deliver tangible results for machinists. More importantly, it signals Sutton’s ongoing dedication to staying at the forefront of toolmaking innovation.

The Bottom Line

With the release of the NH+ Tap Series, Sutton Tools is giving manufacturers a solution that ticks every box: strength, durability, versatility, and reliability. From tougher steels to stainless and non-ferrous metals, the NH+ delivers cleaner threads, longer tool life, and the confidence to push machining conditions further.

For shops looking to boost productivity while simplifying their tool selection, NH+ represents not just an incremental improvement but a leap forward in performance.

And as Dr. Navarro makes clear, this is only the beginning.

See the Difference.