Learn More About Flowdrill

One of the most important elements of the Flowdrill process is the use of specified rotational speeds or RPMs. The Flowdrill process requires higher speeds than conventional drilling methods. Speed requirements are influenced by the hole diameter, material thickness, and the type of material.

• Rotational speed requirements range from 1000 to 3500 RPMs.
• Motor power requirements range between 1.5 and 3.5 kWs

Axial Force is the downward pressure exerted on the material as the Flowdrill advances into the workpiece. Thin materials may bend or collapse under excessive pressure. Adequate support must be provided to prevent deformation. A pre-hole or a Fluted Flowdrill may also be used to facilitate the initial entry into the workpiece with reduced axial force.

The MC2 and MC3 Toolholders insure the optimum clamping of the Flowdrills and prevent rotational slippage while the tool is turning at high speeds. Multiple prongs in the Collet securely hold the Flowdrill in a 360° clamping system. The Toolholders use a built-in aluminum cooling disc designed specifically to diffuse heat that travels up the spindle. The Toolholders use a standard tapered shaft that will fit most standard drilling systems. A cylindrical shaft is also available for CNC machines.

Lubrication

To optimize the quality and precision of the hole, lubrication needs to be applied prior to each perforation. Lubrication can be done by hand or with automatic spraying systems.

Preholes

Preholes can be used to reduce the axial force or to reduce the total length of the formed bush. Using a prehole also produces a smooth finish in the bushing’s lower edge. Reduced axial force may be required to avoid bending thin materials (less than1.5mm).

Recommended Practices for Optimum Results

• Use of equipment with the recommended power and speed specifications
• Use of recommended Toolholders
• Regular inspection and adjustment of the clamped Flowdrill tools
• Proper setting of the start (zero) and final positions
• Use of recommended feed speeds according to the type and thickness of material
• Proper lubrication of the Flowdrill tool
• Secure and normal or perpendicular clamping of the workpiece
  

• Strong Bush formed is up to 3 times the material’s thickness and provides high strength pull out and high torque specifications
• Accuracy and Consistency ---Holes are exact with low tolerance divergences
• Clean and Environmentally Safe , No material chips are produced
• Fast Process, ---Cycle time 2 to 6 seconds
• Flowdrilling is suitable for a wide range of materials including Mild and Stainless Steels, Copper, Brass, Aluminum, Titanium and most malleable materials
• Will replace costly welded and riveted nut processes.
• Flowdrill will improve your quality and save you a lot of time and money

Flowtap Design

Our roll forming taps (Flowtaps) are made of high quality high-speed steel and can be ordered with lubrication grooves and coatings for special applications. The square shaft at the end is optimally designed to transfer the required torque to form the threads.

Flowtaps are available in

• American Standards
• Pipe Standard
• Metric Standards

Process

Flowtapping is the perfect compliment to the Flowdrill process. Flowtapped threads produced by the Flowdrilling methods produce superior strength threads as compared to conventional methods. Formed threads avoid cutting the natural grain of the material. The compressed structure provides higher pull-out strength and torque specifications.

• The chip-free process provides a clean environment
• Higher forming speeds as compared to thread cutting
• Creates a better surface quality
• Greater tool lifetimes because thread formers are less susceptible to breaks
• Increased pull out strength and torque of the formed threads as the process reforms the material in the bush without cutting into the natural grain structure of the material
• Suitable for most tapping machines
• Suitable for all materials that can be Flowdrilled