Product category:
Drilling, boring and reaming
News Release from: Flowdrill (UK) | Subject: Flowdrill process
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 13 June 2002
Swarfless process drills up to 50mm
diameter
Now available from Flowdrill (UK) of Chatham, Kent, is a swarfless drilling process for creating holes up to 50mm diameter in pipes and tubes, box sections or fabrications.
Now available from Flowdrill (UK) of Chatham, Kent, is 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 Manufacturingtalk on 23 Jul 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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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, 1000 revs/min is required or for an M2 thread, 3200 revs/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 Manufacturingtalk's Top Story on 12 June 2002).
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