The New Generation Of Micro Drills

Sandvik Coromant launches new tools for precision machining

Querétaro /PRNewswire/ - Sandvik Coromant, a world leader in machining solutions , has launched two new ranges of micro drills specifically designed for precision machining. The CoroDrill® 462 drill with -XM geometry and CoroDrill® 862 drill with -GM geometry are perfect for industries that require machining small parts, such as the medical, automotive, electronics and aerospace industries. Designed to cover a variety of materials, the new bits offer reliable performance when precision is essential.

Devices in all kinds of industries are getting smaller and smaller. This can be seen most clearly in the electronics industry, where modern devices offer more features in ever smaller packages. On the other hand, in medical device manufacturing, the growing trend of minimally invasive surgery—with techniques that minimize the size and degree of incisions the surgeon makes—requires more complex surgical tools. As the size of technology shrinks and its level of sophistication increases, manufacturers are demanding tools capable of producing smaller, more complicated parts.

Drilling specialists often use the term micro-drilling when referring to holes less than three millimeters (mm) in diameter. This is true of boreholes typically found in the electronics industry, where parts are a few hundredths of a millimeter thick, but typical applications include aerospace, mold and die, and medical equipment manufacturing.

CoroDrill® 462 and 862 drills are the next generation of micro drills from Sandvik Coromant. Available in new geometries that offer a wide variety of diameters and cutting lengths, the drills have a greater range of products compared to previous ranges.

The bits have been specifically adapted to meet the challenges of micro-drilling. For example, as in large-scale applications, a quality coolant is critical for effective chip evacuation when drilling deep holes with micro tools. With both CoroDrill® 462 and 862 it is possible to easily drill to depths of up to nine times the diameter (xD) when using an external coolant, and a through-coolant option is also available for drilling diameters from 1.00mm and up and hole depths up to 16xD. Effective use of coolant not only helps the tool to drill deeper holes, but also extends tool life and reduces the risk of chip clogging.

Individually, the CoroDrill® 462 drill offers high performance machining of holes up to 3.00mm. Ideal for drilling blind and through holes, the drill can machine a variety of ISO materials, including ISO P, M, K, N, S, O and H materials. With a drilling depth of 6xD, the CoroDrill® 462 drill provides fabricators with a versatile drilling solution.

The CoroDrill® 862 drill is perfect for machining 1.00mm to 3.00mm diameter holes in all materials, when used with an internal coolant. In addition to conventional drilling, CoroDrill® 862 supports a variety of other drilling activities including cross-drilling, pack drilling and convex and concave surface drilling.

As well as being standard solid carbide tools, both CoroDrill® 462 and 862 can be customized. As part of the range, Sandvik Coromant has made it possible to configure tools based on diameter, useful length, pitch diameter length and shank diameter for fabricators who require a tailored approach to their micro boring operations.

As if that weren't enough, customers have the option of purchasing the CoroDrill® 862 drill with a vein-type polycrystalline diamond (PCD) cutting edge.

PCD is up to 100 times more resistant to wear than solid carbide. Additionally, PCD tools are more precise and can produce closer tolerances than solid carbide tools. Therefore, customers looking to drill micro holes in extremely difficult-to-machine materials such as titanium, aluminum, glass or ceramics should consider using the PCD option.

"The CoroDrill® 462 and 862 drills mark a new era for micro drilling," says Thorpe, Sandvik Coromant Global Product Manager. "We have made significant improvements since the launch of our latest micro drills with the aim of offering our customers a greater range of options."

"In today's manufacturing environment, whether you're producing luxury watches or aerospace parts, the level of manufacturing is higher than ever. As products shrink and have more complex components, we recognize that we, too, must adapt and offer drill bits capable of machining smaller holes. Applications that call for micro-drilling are vast, which is why we offer more customizable options in addition to a greater variety of standard tools."

CoroDrill® 462 and 862 drills will replace Sandvik Coromant's range of R840 microdrills and current versions of the 862.

For more information on CoroDrill® 462 with -XM geometry and CoroDrill® 862 with -GM geometry, visit the Sandvik Coromant website

Sandvik Coromant
As part of the global Sandvik industrial engineering group, Sandvik Coromant is at the forefront of manufacturing tools, machining solutions and expertise that drive the industry standards and innovations required for the machining industry today and tomorrow. Training, extensive investment in R&D and strong collaboration with our customers ensure the development of machining technologies that change, lead and direct the future of manufacturing. Sandvik Coromant holds more than 3,100 patents worldwide, has more than 7,900 employees and is present in 150 countries.