Solid Carbide Drill: optimum productivity and reliable performance

Try Dormer Pramet’s Force X and Force M solid carbide drills

A solid carbide drill (VHM drill) is today a widely used tool in machining. In CNC machines, it is generally the first choice. HSS(Co) is only used if there are specific circumstances that make a solid carbide drill unsuitable. In this article you can read more about solid carbide drills, in particular about Dormer Pramet’s solid carbide drills: the Force X and the Force M.

 The evolution of solid carbide drilling

The popularity of the solid carbide drill has increased significantly over the years. In the 1980s there were still strict conditions for its application, because the stability of the machine and the fixture was limited. This is no longer an obstacle in modern CNC machines. That is why solid carbide drills are now widely used in all kinds of machines.

The stability and capacity of milling and turning machines has been greatly developed in recent years. In addition, the development of tools has taken off in the field of base materials, coatings and geometries. As a result, it is now possible to drill very deep holes with a solid carbide drill. Previously this was unthinkable, because this would immediately lead to breakage of the drill.

However, solid carbide drills are still mainly used for holes with a depth of max. 3xD or 5xD. As more and more machines are equipped with high-pressure cooling through the spindle, the use of solid carbide drills with cooling channels has taken off.

The advantages and disadvantages of solid carbide drilling

Advantages

  • Higher productivity
  • Longer tool life
  • Higher hole accuracy and dimensional stability
  • Better positioning accuracy
  • Better hole surface quality
  • Can be used in harder materials
  • More resistant to heat development
  • Lower cost per hole drilled in series production

 Cons

  • More expensive to purchase than HSS or HSCo drills
  • More sensitive to instability in machine, fixture or workpiece
  • Higher RPM Required

Solid carbide drills from Dormer Pramet

Dormer Pramet mainly focuses on the development of tools for a wide range of applications. After all, many production companies work with all kinds of different materials. Then it is more efficient to have tools that achieve good productivity in all these materials. Dormer Pramet’s range of solid carbide drills consists of two series: Force X drills and Force M drills. (Follow our next articles for more details about these products).

Contact us for more info around the product and let us help your company to find the best solution for better effective & efficient production.

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