Industrial Drilling Operations

The most important drilling operations in the machining industry

Industrial drilling machines are the backbone of many machining and manufacturing operations. Their versatility and ability to carry out a variety of operations with precision make them an indispensable tool in any working environment that requires precise, efficient machining. From making simple holes to carrying out more complex operations, these machines offer a diverse set of functions that drive productivity and quality in manufacturing.

Below we explain the different operations that can be carried out with industrial drilling machines. A basic guide to better understand how these machines work.

We have divided the different operations that can be carried out with industrial drilling machines into nine.

Drilling:

Drilling is a fundamental machining operation that consists of making holes in materials such as metal, wood or plastic using a drill bit. With an industrial pillar drill, the rotation speed and downward pressure are adjusted to suit the material and the diameter of the drill bit required. This operation is commonly used to create pilot holes or through holes in workpieces.

This is the most widely used operation on this type of machine, and it can be found in different industrial sectors such as metal structure fabrication, the automotive industry or the aerospace industry, among others.

Spotting:

Spotting is an operation similar to drilling, but it is carried out to create shallow holes or to make an initial mark on the surface of the workpiece. A pilot-point drill or a countersink bit is used to create a small indentation in the surface, which makes it easier to centre the drill and prevents the bit from slipping when drilling begins.

This type of operation is usually carried out with bench drills or handheld drills, and it can be found in sectors such as carpentry, construction and/or furniture manufacturing.

Step drilling:

Step drilling, also known as multi-diameter drilling, involves using a drill bit with several diameter stages to create holes of different sizes in a single operation. This is useful when holes of different diameters are needed in a part and you want to minimise tool-change time. The drill bit advances gradually through the different diameters, creating a series of steps in the hole.

This type of operation is usually carried out with industrial pillar drills and is common in the manufacture of electronic equipment and the assembly of industrial components.

Tapping:

Tapping is an operation that is carried out after drilling to create internal threads in a hole. A tap is used to cut the threads in the material, allowing a bolt or screw to be fastened into it. This operation is common in the manufacture of parts that require assembly with threaded elements, such as screws, bolts or nuts, generally used in machinery manufacturing, the automotive industry and/or toolmaking, among others.

Flaring:

Flaring is an operation that is carried out to create a conical edge on the edge of a hole. This is generally done to allow a tube or pipe to fit securely in the hole. A specialised tool, such as a flaring tool, is used; it is mounted on the pillar drill and creates the flare by applying controlled pressure.

Countersinking:

Countersinking involves creating a chamfer on the edge of a hole so that the head of a screw or bolt sits flat against the surface of the workpiece. A countersinking tool is used, mounted on the pillar drill, and it creates the chamfer through a combination of rotation and controlled downward pressure.

Reaming:

Reaming is an operation carried out after drilling to refine the accuracy and quality of the drilled hole. A reamer, which is similar to a drill bit but with multiple cutting edges, is used to remove burrs, imperfections and small dimensional deviations from the hole. This results in high-quality holes with precise dimensions.

This type of operation is widely used in die manufacturing, the aerospace industry and the medical industry.

Centre drilling:

Centre drilling is used to create a precise initial mark on the surface of the workpiece before drilling. A centre drill mounted on the pillar drill is used to create this mark, which acts as a guide for the main drill. This ensures accurate drilling, centred on the desired point of the workpiece.

This type of operation is usually carried out with industrial pillar drills or bench drills, for the manufacture of tools and moulds or in the automotive industry.

Gun drilling:

Gun drilling is an operation used to create a deep, accurate hole in hard-to-machine materials, such as hardened steel or ceramic. A specialised gun drill is used, with a unique design that includes coolant and swarf-evacuation channels, to drill deep holes with high precision and efficiency. This operation is common in the manufacture of dies, blanking tools and precision cutting tools.

This is our summary of the most important drilling operations that can be carried out with industrial drilling machines.

At Heller Maquinaria, we have industrial drilling machines of different types that guarantee robustness and precision:

1. Bench drills

Discover all Heller industrial drilling machines here.

INDUSTRIAL DRILLING MACHINES