Guided Drill Bit Machining for Small Composite Orifices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machining devices for producing orifices in turbomachine workpieces face challenges with pressure drops and drill bit breakage due to the small diameter and sensitivity of drill bits, especially when drilling small-diameter orifices, which increases maintenance and reduces efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A machining device equipped with a cylindrical guide body that holds and guides the drill bit, reducing the rebound effect and allowing for the application of force to the workpiece, thereby enabling the drilling of small-diameter orifices while minimizing drill bit breakage and maintaining device performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If the diameter of the drill bit is reduced to decrease porosity and pressure drop, then the pressure drop is reduced, but the drill bit becomes more sensitive to angle deviations and prone to breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure dropVSAvoiddrill bit breakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A guide body is introduced as an intermediary component between the drill bit and the acoustic panel. This guide body provides mechanical support and guidance to the drill bit during drilling, stabilizing its path and preventing breakage caused by angle deviations and rebound effects, thereby enabling the use of smaller diameter drill bits without compromising reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide body is designed with features that anticipate and counteract the rebound effect before it can cause damage. By providing pre-positioned support and constraint, the guide body cushions the drill bit against lateral forces that would otherwise cause breakage during the drilling process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If mechanical clamping elements are installed around the perimeter of the acoustic panel to minimize bounce, then the rebound effect is reduced, but the complexity and cost of the machining device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverebound effect controlVSAvoidclamping system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide body integrates the rebound control function directly into the drilling operation by being attached to the tool holder. This extracts the rebound control mechanism from the workpiece preparation stage and combines it with the drilling tool itself, eliminating the need for separate perimeter clamping elements and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide body merges multiple functions into a single component: it provides drill bit guidance, supports the drill bit during drilling, and controls the rebound effect. This consolidation replaces the need for separate clamping elements and simplifies the overall machining system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250001508A1Machining device equipped with guiding means and method for producing an orifice with such a device

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 SAFRAN NACELLES

AI summary

A machining device for producing at least one orifice in a workpiece made of composite material, the machining device including a tool holder and at least one drill bit mounted on the tool holder, the drill bit being configured to be driven in rotation about an axis of rotation. The machining device includes a cylindrical guide body coaxial with the axis of rotation, mounted on the tool holder, and surrounding the drill bit, the guide body being configured to bear on the workpiece during the production of the orifice and the drill bit projecting from the guide body.