Drilling

Type of technology

Machining (by means of tools with defined geometry)

Development phase

advanced

Level of innovation

enterprise level

Scale of production

batch, unit

Technology readiness level TRL

Description of the technology

Purpose of use

subtractive manufacturing (usually roughing) of holes in a solid piece of material

Use in industry

all industries

General characteristics

Drilling is a machining process that involves the subtractive manufacturing of cylindrical holes in solid material using single- or multi-blade cutting tools known as drills. During drilling, the primary (rotary) motion is performed by the tool or workpiece (lathe drilling). The feed motion is performed by the tool or the workpiece in a direction parallel to the drill axis.

Alternative technologies
  • MQCL drilling
  • cryogenic drilling
  • boring
  • hole milling
  • broaching
  • laser beam machining
  • plasma arc machining
  • EDM machining

Visualisation

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

  • versatile technique for the subtractive manufacturing of holes

Disadvantages

  • use of machining fluids that are not inert to people and the environment
  • significant tooling and fixture costs
  • possibility of significant electricity costs (roughing)
  • moderate quality of machined surfaces

Workpiece material types

  • all material groups
  • ferrous metals
  • non-ferrous metals
  • non-ferrous metals alloys
  • hard materials
  • hardened materials

Examples of products

  • holes in metal structural components e.g. steel beams
  • components for furniture production (e.g. fittings; handles; fasteners)
  • components for hydraulic and pneumatic systems
  • parts for the automotive industry (e.g. brake discs; gearboxes; suspension components)

Implementation of technology

Required resources

  • drilling machine
  • milling machine or lathe
  • cutting tools
  • tooling
  • machining fluids (optional)

Required competences

  • training in machining

Environmental aspects

Water consumption

Energy consumption

Waste generated

Expert evaluation

Competitiveness

Usability

Environmental impact

Development centers

  • West Pomeranian University of Technology
  • University of Zielona Góra
  • Poznan University of Technology
  • Opole University of Technology
  • Wrocław University of Science and Technology

Legal conditions

  • none

Companies using technology

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