Product category:
Machinery and Production Equipment
News Release from: Flowdrill (UK) | Subject: Swarfless drilling process
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 12 June 2002
Process promises swarf-free drilling
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
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 22 Jul 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Swarfless process speeds hole operations
A novel swarfless hole drilling process has cut hole production time by 80% for Rehabilitation Manufacturing Services.
Thermal drilling suits onsite use
Thermal drilling is suited for blind holes in tube, pipe and box sections of steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper and brass
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).
• Flowdrill (UK): contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
