The FlowDrill system is designed to provide a cost saving and problem solving method for the formation of malleable metals. The Flowdrill thermal friction drill uses a combination of the rotation speed and thrust pressure to locally heat the material, forming a bush in various thicknesses of metal.
Machines that are capable of utilizing the Flowdrill system range from standard drill presses to NC/CNC automated machine centers, with motor capacities between 1.5 kw and 3.0 kw and speeds from 1000 RPM to 3500 RPM. Friction drilling is designed for a range of materials including mild steel, stainless steel, copper, brass and aluminum. Flowdrill tools are available in sizes from 0.06" to 2" and can hold 0.0005" repeatability. Special sizes are available on request.
Also featured by the company is Flowtap, a cold-form tapping system used as a secondary operation, creating a chip-free thread in the bush. Flowtap is designed to increase the depth of threads formed in thin metal.
Advantages of cold-form tapping in conjunction with friction drilling are: