In the production of metal workpieces, drilling operations are often required in many cases. These bores often need to be provided with chamfers or countersinks on the bore edges. Various tools can be used for this purpose – e.g., step drills or drills in combination with backspotfacing tools. This report provides information on step drills, their applications in mass production, and alternative solutions.
Bores and the associated edge machining on both sides are a central element in manufacturing technology (machining) and play a crucial role, for example, in the automotive industry, in mechanical engineering, or in medical technology. These large companies usually produce huge series. The optimisation of production times and costs is extremely important. The solution lies in machining tools optimised down to the last detail, which meet the various requirements and deliver the desired results.
When metal workpieces are produced, bores often need to be machined as well. The variance is large: from simple holes to complex bores with a chamfer on the front side and a countersink on the back side. Accordingly, the tools that can be used for drilling and bore machining are also diverse. Decisive factors for the choice are the requirements for the result, bore size, production volume (series size), or the material.
Modern bore machining also offers special tools that are custom-designed by specialists like HEULE. By selecting the right tools, production processes can be optimised, thus reducing production times and costs.
In metalworking, transitions and countersinks in bores pose a particular challenge. In the production of large series, step drills perform numerous tasks that go beyond simple drilling. The tools are designed to perform drilling and precise front-side deburring, chamfering, or counterboring in a single operation. The major advantage: no tool change is necessary, and the combination saves time and effort. Step drills are a perfect solution for a multitude of applications in mechanical engineering, where high precision is essential. For example, for through-holes for screws.
In summary, step drills are an important tool in metalworking, especially due to their efficiency and customisability. They can significantly improve quality and productivity. Step drills offer numerous possibilities for machining external bore edges. For selecting the right tool, it is advisable to contact a specialist like HEULE Precision Tools.
