Multi-Operation Friction Drilling Tool for Chipless Hole Threading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing friction drilling tools are limited to performing either drilling or threading operations, requiring tool changes for calibration, which increases manufacturing time and is not ecologically friendly due to chip production.

Innovation Solution

A multioperation friction drilling tool with integrated segments for drilling, calibration, and threading, allowing for sequential performance of these operations without tool changes, utilizing a hardened conical tipped cylindrical tool to generate heat and reduce metal strength for efficient hole creation and threading in thin metal plates and pipes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If existing friction drilling tools are used for drilling operations, then drilling holes can be performed, but tool changes are required for calibration and threading operations, increasing manufacturing time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing timeVSAvoidtool complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines drilling, calibration, and threading operations into a single integrated tool. The tool features a drilling segment with conical tip for hole creation, a calibration segment with cylindrical surface for hole sizing, and a threading segment with helical grooves for thread formation, all integrated into one body that can perform multiple operations without tool changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The friction drilling tool is designed as a multi-functional device capable of performing drilling, calibration, and threading operations sequentially. The tool body incorporates multiple functional segments that can be engaged with the workpiece at different depths or positions, allowing one tool to replace multiple specialized tools

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional drilling methods are used, then holes can be created, but chip production occurs which is not ecologically friendly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechip productionVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs friction drilling which changes the physical parameters of the drilling process by using high-speed rotation and axial pressure to generate friction heat. This thermal energy softens the material locally, allowing it to be displaced and drained through the tool geometry rather than being cut into chips, thus eliminating chip production while maintaining manufacturing efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The tool significantly reduces manufacturing time, eliminates chip production, and enables efficient, eco-friendly drilling, calibration, and threading in a single operation, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and ecological sustainability.

Implementation Method 1

The friction generated between the workpiece and the tool allows generating the necessary heat to reduce the mechanical strength of the metal material, allowing the conformation thereof by draining

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3680040B1Multi-operation friction drilling tool
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 UNIV AVEIRO
  • EP3680040B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3680040B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2G

AI summary

Multioperation friction drilling tool allowing three different final operations to be performed in the same drilling: drilling, calibration and threading. The friction drilling tool of the present disclosure has a friction self-piercing segment, a calibration segment, a thread-opening segment and a stop segment. The calibration segment allows calibrated holes to be obtained, if that is the final objective, or preparing the hole for a thread-opening operation in the material drained on the walls of the already-calibrated hole, depending on the user's choice. An embodiment of the friction drilling multioperation tool sequentially comprises a plurality of distinct axial segments: a support segment, a thread-opening segment, a calibration segment of predetermined diameter and a friction self-piercing segment, which may comprise a cylindrical stop-spacer segment.