Drilling Positioning Device for Thin Composite Layers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Drilling through thin layers of material in aircraft or spacecraft production is challenging due to limited guidance for the drill bit, leading to issues with precision, hole quality, and increased time consumption, especially when dealing with fiber-reinforced composite materials.
Innovation Solution
A device with two portions, one fitting into the drill bit's bush and another into the pre-drilled pilot hole, facilitates the positioning and guidance of the drill bit, reducing the risk of misalignment and surface damage, and improving hole quality by providing optimized entry and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a semi-automatic drilling unit is used to drill through thin layers of material, then the drilling operation can be performed, but the positioning and alignment of the drill bit becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning device with a first portion that fits into the bush opening and a second portion that fits into the pre-drilled pilot hole. This intermediary device mediates between the drilling unit and the workpiece, providing precise positioning and alignment guidance for the drill bit without requiring complex manual adjustment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device is prepared in advance with specific geometric features (first portion for bush opening, second portion for pilot hole) that enable pre-positioning and pre-alignment before the actual drilling operation begins. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for difficult and time-consuming positioning during the drilling process
2Manufacturing precision
If the layer with the pilot hole is very thin, then the workpiece structure is compact, but the guidance of the drill point is limited and precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device acts as an intermediary structure that extends the functional thickness. The first portion protruding from the bush and the second portion in the pilot hole create a bridging structure that provides adequate guidance length even when the actual workpiece layer is very thin, ensuring precise drill bit alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device extends the guidance function into a different dimensional space by protruding from the bush opening towards the pilot hole. This creates an extended guidance path that compensates for the insufficient thickness of the thin layer, maintaining manufacturing precision
3Strength
If fiber-reinforced composite materials are used, then the workpiece has high strength, but oversized holes, double holes, delaminations and fraying occur more easily
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device serves as a protective intermediary that guides the drill bit precisely through the fiber-reinforced composite material. By ensuring accurate positioning and continuous guidance, it prevents drilling errors such as oversized holes, double holes, delaminations, and fraying that are common when drilling composite materials
Data Source
AI summary
A device for use in drilling is adapted to be used in cooperation with a drilling unit that comprises a bush inside which a drill bit can advance and retract relative to the bush, the bush being provided with an opening from which the drill bit can protrude towards a workpiece or an arrangement of workpieces. The device includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is formed so as to fit into the opening of the bush. The second portion is formed so as to fit into a pre-drilled pilot hole in the workpiece or in at least one workpiece of the arrangement.