Drilling (Topic: 16130)

Drills suited for machining aluminium are characterised by large helix angles and large, polished flutes in order to ensure rapid chip removal and prevent build-up. Standard drills, designed for drilling steel, can be used to drill shallow holes. Drilling operations are normally carried out with a cutting fluid.

Some typical values for drilling in aluminium

* Large angles in soft conditions

Holes drilled in aluminium often become oversized. In soft alloys the diameter might be 0,1ñ0,5 mm larger than the drill. If a very close diameter is required, the hole should be drilled with a smaller drill and then reamed to the desired dimension.

References: [2,3,6]