Drill Web Thickness for Composite Delamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drills face challenges in drilling composite materials like GFRP and CFRP, experiencing delamination and burr formation due to high cutting resistance, and existing drills for metals also struggle with precision and burr suppression.

Innovation Solution

A drill with a web thickness between 5% and 25% of the diameter, featuring a two-stage step design with tapered web and nicks on the lands to reduce cutting resistance and prevent delamination and burr formation, made from materials like cemented carbide or high-speed tool steel for enhanced toughness and hardness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If web thickness is increased to maintain drill strength, then drill strength is improved, but cutting resistance increases causing delamination and burrs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrill strengthVSAvoiddelamination and burrs
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a tapered web structure where the web thickness varies along the drill length. The web is thinnest (5-25% of diameter) at the cutting tip to minimize cutting resistance and prevent delamination, while being progressively thicker toward the shank to maintain overall drill strength and rigidity. This gradient structure allows each section to have the optimal thickness for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If web thickness is decreased to reduce cutting resistance, then cutting resistance is reduced, but drill strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting resistanceVSAvoiddrill strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the web into multiple sections with different thicknesses along its length. Rather than a uniform thickness, the web is segmented into a thin cutting section at the tip and progressively thicker sections toward the shank. This segmentation allows the cutting portion to have minimal thickness for reduced resistance while the supporting portions maintain sufficient thickness for strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional drill geometry is used for metal drilling, then metal drilling capability is maintained, but precision and burr suppression deteriorate in composite materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetal drilling capabilityVSAvoiddrilling precision and burr suppression
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the web thickness parameter from conventional values to a specific range (5-25% of drill diameter) at the cutting tip. This parameter change optimizes the drill for composite material drilling by reducing cutting resistance and preventing delamination, while the overall drill geometry maintains compatibility with metal drilling applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3135414B1Drill and method of manufacturing drilled product
Publication Date: 2020.05.20 SUBARU CORP
  • EP3135414B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3135414B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3135414B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A drill (1) is provided that is adapted to drill at least one of a composite material and a metal. A web thickness (W) at least at a tip of the drill (1) is not less than 5 % and less than 25 % of at least one diameter of the drill (1). Further a method of manufacturing a drilled product is provided. The drilled product is manufactured by drilling a workpiece using the above-mentioned drill (1). The workpiece is made of at least one of a composite material and a metal.