The drilling machine’s primary operation is to cut holes in a component. Various drilling operations can be done on drilling machines depending on tool type. This article covers different types of drilling machine operations and their applications. We suggest you read this article on machine monitoring system in manufacturing.
Here is the list of different types of drilling machine operations.
- Drilling
- Reaming
- Tapping
- Boring
- Counter Boring
- Countersinking
- Spot Facing
Drilling
Drilling is a metal cutting operation by rotating and pressing a multi-point cutting tool to cut a straight-circular hole in solid materials. A multi-point cutting tool is known as a drilling bit.
Standard drill bits in various sizes are available in the market. The drill bit is rotated at a very high rpm to drill the hole.
Reaming
Reaming enlarges the existing hole diameter to make it more accurate and improve the surface finish. It is a finishing operation and does not remove significant material.
The reaming tool rotates at approximately half RPM of the drilling operation during reaming operation.
Tapping Operation
Tapping is a thread cutting operation inside a hole. This operation creates internal threads in existing holes.
Tapping operations can be done with hand tools or using a drilling machine. The drilling machine spindle rotates at a low speed during tapping operation.
Boring Operation
Boring is a metal cutting operation to enlarge the existing hole diameter. A boring cutting tool bit is a single-point edge cutting tool. Spindle speed is kept relatively low during boring operations.
Counter-boring
Counter-boring is a metal cutting operation to create a stepped hole. During counter-boring operation operator drills a relatively large diameter hole along the first hole axis.
Counter boring has application to flush fasteners head with part surface. You can use a drill tool bit for counter-boring operation.
Countersinking
Countersinking is a metal cutting operation for making a cone-shaped enlargement at the start of an already drilled hole. The angle of the conical surface is 90º or 120º. Its application is to provide a recess to a Countersunk fastener. You can also use a drill tool bit for countersink operation.
Spot Facing
Spot facing is a small height counterbore. Its application is to provide adequate seating for a fastener. It is a type of counterboring operation. But the counterbore is not a spot-facing operation.
To sum up, Along with primary drilling operations, various other machining operations are also possible on drilling machines. Drilling machine operations include reaming, tapping, boring, counter-boring, countersinking, spot-facing, etc. Click this link to know the various types of springs and their applications.
We will keep updating various types of drilling machine operations. Add your comments, suggestions, or questions on drilling machine operations.
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