Process promises swarf-free drilling
A
Flowdrill (UK) product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jun 12, 2002
Flowdrill has developed a swarfless drilling process for creating holes up to 50mm diameter in pipes and tubes, box sections or fabrications.
Flowdrill has developed a swarfless drilling process for creating holes up to 50mm diameter in pipes and tubes, box sections or fabrications.
The system does not require any pilot hole and creates an accurate hole for threading, brazing or to serve as a cylindrical sleeve bearing.
It is also a very cost-effective alternative to conventional methods of using threaded inserts or weld-type nuts.
The Flowdrill process can be applied to any ductile materials including mild and stainless steel, aluminium, copper, brass and some special alloys.
It is quick and simple to use, is as fast as conventional drilling but has a lower production cost.
The system is able to create a high quality hole, can be easily automated or used on a drill spindle or machining centre.
The process also has the added advantage of low tool wear or breakage and thus provides exceptionally long tool life.
The process is similar to friction welding and uses frictional generated heat created by the tungsten carbide tool bit to plasticise the material to be drilled.
In operation, the tool is rotated and feed pressure applied.
For instance, to create a hole for an M20 thread in mild steel, 1000rev/min is required or for an M2 thread, 3200rev/min.
The pressure and resulting friction causes the workpiece material to plasticise and as the tool point penetrates the softened area, it forms an internal bush to high orders of accuracy.
The hole can then be immediately tapped for a screw fastener or is ready to accept another tube or fitment ready for brazing or welding, for instance.
Typical applications are those requiring threaded bushings including steel furniture, manifolds, light fittings, automotive body internal fittings, heating and ventilation, bolt connections in steel for the building industry and bearing fittings.
Indeed, the system has been used successfully in the automotive sector by Daimler Benz on the Sprinter van axle and for bonnet hinges of the new Mini.
A flat type Flowdrill is also available to remove any raised collar of the bush leaving a level surface on the material being processed.
Tool sizes are available for metric, BSP, NPT, UNF threads as well as special forms to accommodate specific customised applications.
(This was Engineeringtalk's Top Story on 11 June 2002).
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