A Century of Innovation: Explore The Fascinating World of Deep Hole Drilling Technology

PUBLISHED ON: January 23, 2024
LAST MODIFIED ON: August 9, 2024

POSTED IN: Deep Hole Drilling, Precihole

BTA Deep Hole Drilling Technology

Deep hole drilling is a technique that creates holes up to 200 times longer than their diameter. Originating from the era of World War I for gun barrel manufacturing, deep hole drilling technology has since branched out into over 15 industries, boasting more than 200 diverse applications.

The Limitations of Conventional Drilling

While regular drilling methods are adequate for Length/Diameter ratios of about 10, they fall short when it comes to deeper drilling. Challenges such as tool lifespan, surface finish, hole straightness, and effective chip removal arise. This is where deep hole drilling steps in, particularly when the L/D ratio exceeds 10.

The Two Pillars of Deep Hole Drilling: Gun Drilling & BTA Drilling

Two innovative methods of deep hole drilling stand out: gun drilling and BTA drilling. These techniques, the pillars of precision drilling, each bring unique strengths to tackle the most challenging drilling tasks.

Gun Drilling: Perfect for long holes ranging from 1 mm to 35 mm in diameter, gun drilling uses high-pressure coolant pumped through a tube, with chips evacuated from a V-shaped flute.
BTA Drilling: Also known as STS (Single Tube System), BTA drilling is ideal for holes between 12 mm and 250 mm. This technique involves coolant being pumped from the tube’s outside, while chips are cleared from the inside.

Precision and Performance of Today’s Deep Hole Drilling Technology

Today’s demanding applications require drilling in exotic materials or hard super-alloys without compromising accuracy and productivity. Achieving perfect hole straightness, tolerance, and surface finish is a skill that demands deep knowledge and expertise. Factors such as machine features, parameter selection, material input, tooling, coolant, and filtration significantly influence the outcome.

Configurations: Deep hole drilling offers three configurations as shown in the diagram, each selected based on application requirements and desired accuracies.
Output Parameters: For deep hole drilling technology, these are hole straightness, hole tolerance and surface finish. The figure below explains these parameters clearly.

Deep Hole Drilling Technology

Broad Applications: Industries Leveraging Deep Hole Drilling

Deep hole drilling technology is not just a marvel of engineering; it’s a crucial component in various industries. This precision technique plays a pivotal role in numerous applications, showcasing its versatility and importance.

Aerospace Industry: In aerospace, deep hole drilling is essential for manufacturing critical components such as landing gear, engine shafts, and hydraulic systems. The precision and strength required for aerospace parts make deep hole drilling invaluable.
Automotive Sector: From engine blocks to transmission shafts, the automotive industry relies heavily on deep hole drilling for creating complex internal channels and high-precision parts, contributing to vehicle performance and safety.
Medical Equipment: In the medical field, deep hole drilling is used to produce precise instruments and implants, such as orthopedic rods and surgical tools, where accuracy is a matter of life and death.
Oil and Gas Exploration: This technology is instrumental in the oil and gas sector for drilling deep bores, which are critical in the exploration and extraction processes.
Firearms Manufacturing: Originating from gun barrel production, deep hole drilling remains a cornerstone in firearms manufacturing, ensuring the precision and reliability of barrels.
Hydraulic Systems: Deep hole drilling is essential in creating the long, straight bores needed for hydraulic cylinders, which are integral in various machinery and heavy equipment.

These are just a few examples of the myriad industries that require deep hole drilling. This technology’s adaptability to different materials and its ability to maintain precision over great lengths make it indispensable across a wide range of applications.

Why Choose Absolute Machine Tools as Your Deep Hole Drilling Partner

With over 30 years in the business, Precihole Machine Tools, in collaboration with Absolute Machine Tools, has become a global leader in high-precision deep hole drilling machines. Our commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and customized engineering solutions ensures your project’s success.

Together, we offer a comprehensive range of advanced deep hole drilling and finishing CNC machine tools. Our continuous investment in research and development, alongside collaborations with tooling partners worldwide, keeps our products at the forefront of technology.

Revolutionizing Precision Machining

Deep hole drilling technology is a game-changer in precision machining across numerous industries. Our technology ensures superior accuracy, surface finish, and hole quality, essential for producing complex components in critical applications.

At Absolute Machine Tools, we’re not just providers; we’re partners in your deep hole drilling journey. Contact us today to discover our range of products and experience the exceptional support that makes us a trusted name in the industry.

headquarters

7420 Industrial Pkwy Drive, Lorain, OH 44053

info@absolutemachine.com

parts request
service request

SEARCH

request a quote