Drilling, drilling machines, profile drilling machines

Drilling in the steel construction, metal fabrication, steel trading, and plant engineering industries is only economically viable when CNC-controlled drilling systems are used. Around the world, more and more CNC-controlled drilling systems and drilling machines are being used to drill structural steel, flat steel, and sheet metal. Various steel dimensions—such as angle steel, structural beams, U-channels, rectangular tubes, sheet metal, and flat steel—can be drilled in different lengths across 3–4 axes. The drilling operation’s position is programmed in advance on the CNC control system. The CNC commands then control the drives of the drilling axes to automatically position them at the specified machining position. The respective profiles or sheet metal are then drilled using HSS fluted drills, carbide-tipped drills, or solid carbide drills, or provided with a pilot hole (positioning hole). Since the production range varies from one steel fabricator or metal fabricator to another, there are different machine sizes and a wide variety of machine types.
On the one hand, there are profile drilling systems, which are used for the automatic drilling of steel profile beams in a size range from 300 mm to 2,000 mm in profile height. On the other hand, there are sheet metal drilling systems, which are used for drilling sheet metal plates in sizes ranging from 1,000 x 1,000 mm to 3,000 x 3,000 mm. In steel construction, drilling is most commonly used to create through-holes for later securing connections with screws. However, pre-drilling for threaded holes or slotted holes is also a common application.

Drilling process video showing HSS oil feed drills on Peddinghaus BDL600 beam drill line

Beam drilling machine movable on support frame for workpieces

With this cost-effective drilling system, it is not the workpiece (profile or flat steel) that moves, but the tool (the drilling machine with the drilling tool) that moves to the position of the steel profile to be drilled. The profiles or flat steel lie on a steel frame. The flange-mounted, CNC-controlled drilling unit moves along the longitudinal axis of the profile and can then carry out the drilling process at the desired position. However, the drilling process only takes place in one axis, i.e. either in the flange or in the web. The workpiece (profile) must be turned manually. This CNC drilling system is a good entry-level system for programmed profile machining. The following machines of this type are available for steel construction: Ficep Excalibur single-spindle beam drilling machine, Peddinghaus Ocean Avenger drilling machine and Voortman V600 beam drilling machine. All these drilling machines have the additional advantage of taking up little space and a low purchase price. These rigs are now available with an optional tool changer and reinforced drive for the use of carbide tools. You can find inexpensive used drilling rigs of various types at Nenok in Cologne.

Beam drill line, drilling machine with CNC control

In the past, normal HSS dry drills were used, but since 1987 these have been almost exclusively replaced by the use of HSS coolant channel drills. Due to higher drive power and more stable machine frames, the use of solid carbide drills or carbide drills with carbide cutting bodies became possible around 2004. Nenok will be happy to offer you the right drilling tools for your drilling system.

Tool changer

Many modern machines are equipped with a tool changing systems. This provides for flexible operation of the machine. The tool changer is operated by the CNC-control. Different diameters or types of tools can be changed automatically during the machine is drilling. These systems feature one particular advantage, namely that they can be operated extremely flexible.

Drill unit for HSS oil feed drills (inner coolant drills)

For the use of HSS oil feed drills, drilling spindle speeds of up to 1000 rpm and drive powers up to 7.5 KW are sufficient.
A coolant supply with at least 6 bar of compressed air power is necessary for good cooling lubrication at the drill cutting edge.

Drill unit for Kennametal KSEM carbide drills and solid carbide drills

For the use of KSEM carbide drills or solid carbide drills very stable machines with good workpiece clamping are necessary. In addition, high drilling spindle speeds and high drive power are required. Speeds of over 2000 rpm are not unusual.
The drilling rates of carbide drills, such as the KSEM cutting bodies from Kennametal, are much faster than conventional HSS inner coolant drills due to the high feed rate.

Drilling with Kennametal carbide drills on Kaltenbach beam drill line