Deep hole core drilling (trepanning) stands out as a material-saving, energy-efficient, high-performance, and high-quality deep hole drilling technique. At the core of this process is the trepanning drill—a specialized tool designed to excel in scenarios where precision, material conservation, and efficiency are paramount.

Trepanning drills are primarily used for drilling holes with diameters exceeding 50mm, aspect ratios (length-to-diameter) between 1 and 75. They are indispensable when working with precious metal workpieces, or when the core material needs to be preserved intact for testing, chemical analysis, or other critical applications. To achieve successful deep hole core drilling using standard equipment, mastering the following factors related to the  drill and its operation is essential:

Chip Breaking Performance and Compatibility with Work Material

A high-quality trepanning drill must effectively break chips and facilitate easy discharge—two factors directly impacting machining efficiency and hole quality. Key considerations include:

 

  • Insert material: Choosing inserts compatible with the workpiece material (e.g., high-speed steel for general metals, carbide for hard alloys) ensures optimal chip formation.
  • Chip breaker geometry: The design of the  drill’s chip breaker determines how well chips fragment into manageable sizes, preventing clogging.
  • Chip splitting grooves: These features on the trepanning drill guide chips toward the discharge path, reducing friction and wear.

2. Unobstructed Chip Discharge Path

The  drill relies on a clear, unobstructed path to expel chips. Unlike solid drilling bars, trepanning drill bars have stricter requirements:

 

  • Smooth inner walls: Any roughness or protrusions on the trepanning drill bar can scratch chips, causing blockages and damaging the workpiece.
  • Dedicated design: Trepanning drill bars are not interchangeable with solid drilling bars, as their internal structure is engineered specifically for core drilling’s unique chip flow.

3. Coolant System Flow Rate and Pressure

A properly calibrated coolant system is vital to support the trepanning drill’s operation, providing the force needed to flush chips away. Flow rate and pressure vary with hole diameter:

 

  • For 100mm diameter holes: 400–500 L/min flow rate, 1.5 MPa pressure.
  • For 150mm diameter holes: 600–720 L/min flow rate, 1.2 MPa pressure.
  • For 200mm diameter holes: 800–1000 L/min flow rate, 1.0 MPa pressure.
If efficiency drops, prioritize adjusting parameters to maintain smooth chip discharge—protecting both the drill and the workpiece from damage.

Why Trepanning Drill Matters in Modern Machining

The drill is more than a tool; it’s a cornerstone of efficient deep hole drilling. By optimizing its chip handling, ensuring unobstructed chip paths, and matching coolant systems to its needs, manufacturers can leverage the trepanning drill’s full potential—reducing material waste, lowering energy consumption, and achieving precision that meets the demands of today’s industrial standards.

 

Whether you’re working with precious metals or require intact core samples, investing in a high-performance drill and mastering these key factors is the key to successful deep hole core drilling.