Improve Cycle Times by Choosing the Right Drill for the Application

Watch the video of this time study at the bottom of the page

Using a CNC Machining Center to drill is safer, faster, and more accurate than other traditional drilling methods. Drilling with a machining center helps reduce the margin of error because the operator performs a minimal amount of hands-on work. A CNC machine can dramatically improve cycle times when paired with the proper tooling. 

In the past, we ran a time study where we tested the FlexCNC  Vertical Machining Center vs. a Fosdik Radial Drill (watch it here). The FlexCNC was able to drill faster and accomplish much more in 5 minutes than the Fosdick. Since shops are always looking for ways to speed up production, we decided to test two drills to see if one could perform the job faster than the other.

We ran the test on two different Allied Machine & Engineering drills. Both are great drills, but we wanted to test cycle times and the quality of each hole. The test involved the GEN3SYS XT Pro Insert Drill and the 4TEX IC Drill. Both drills are 1.343” in diameter, drilling a hole 2.00” deep in 1018 cold-rolled steel.

Results

GEN3SYS XT Pro
400 SFM (1137 RPM)
.016 IPR (18.3 IPM)
8.5 Seconds per hole
45 Second Cycle time

4Tex Allied Insert Drill

4TEX
800 SFM (2275 RPM)
.0032 IPR (7.3 IPM)
20 Seconds per hole 
1 min 4 Sec Cycle time

 

Holes Drilled with the 4Tex Drill

 

4TEX

Holes Drilled with the GEN3SWYS XT Pro Drill

 

GEN3SYS XT Pro

The drilling process can be tedious and time-consuming. Fab shops with long or large parts spend too much time on each piece; the added refixturing time makes the drilling process entirely too long. Whether you’re using mag drills, gang drills, or radial drills, a switch to the FlexCNC can increase cycle times and save shops significant amounts of time and money in the long run.

One response to “Improve Cycle Times by Choosing the Right Drill for the Application”

  1. Thanks for sharing your results Flexarm! This was a great comparison to show how the Gen3sys® XT Pro shines in high penetration applications. IC drills are really great on low horsepower machines or when drilling through interrupted cuts, but they aren’t the first choice for a high penetration application.
    If folks would like, they can see an application where the 4TEX would be the be the better drill to select here: https://www.alliedmachine.com/Marketing-Videos/Training-Video-4TEX-4140-Incline-Block.aspx

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Standard Features

  • Hand Pendant
  • 22″ Touch Screen Monitor
  • Omron FlexCNC Controller
  • Mobile Control Panel
  • Through Spindle Coolant 
  • Auto Tool Changer 
  • Flood Coolant
HP
Max RPM
FT/LBS
Series

18

4000

92

C-20-02 / C-10-02

18

6000

61

C-20-02 / C-10-02

33

12000

61

CM-20-02

Auto Stand-Off – This is currently defined to be surface stand-off and not to be confused with vector stand-off in 5-axis mode. The current auto stand-off is based on a changing surface and will adjust vertically based on the angle of the “A” Axis, so there is five (5) axis taken into account during the calculations, but this is not the same as the tool vector stand-off. There is the ability to do the vector stand-off change while the machine is running manually with buttons on the screen.

Z-Reader Probe – The Z-Reader is a device for mapping the location of the surface. It can be controlled manually & programmatically. The option is NOT active while cutting & is retracted out of harm’s way. It can be triggered to verify the surface at every pierce before the cutting process starts, or it could be used to drive surface mapping of the whole part before cutting starts. It begins with initialization or zeroing of the device to the surface at the beginning of a program and then accumulates or tracks the difference from that zeroing effort.

Automatic Edge Finder – The edge finder is or can be utilized manually (Jogging Method & Screen Buttons), programmatically (M & G codes), or fully automatic routine (dedicated program). This option sets offsets & program rotation to match the orientation & location on the cutting table.

AC Unit Installed on Electrical Cabinet – The unit is mounted on the cabinet’s High Power (480v) side. It is close to the location where the drives are mounted. This option keeps the cabinet temperature stable and allows heat dissipation faster. The servo drives for all axes are the most significant contributors to heat inside the electrical cabinet.

5-Axis Renishaw CalibrationThe calibration unit is a Renishaw model APCA45 with a modified spherical stylus. The device has a retractable cover and air purge to clear debris & dust during the activation process. It mounts to a swing arm controlled by a pneumatic rotary, so it is out of the way during regular operation and swings into the calibration position for calibration only. 

HP
Max RPM
FT/LBS
Series

18

4000

92

G-20-06 / G-10-06

18

6000

61

G-20-06 / -10-06

40

4000

217

GM-20-06 / G-20-06 / G-10-06

40

6000

145

G-20-06 / G-20-06 / G-10-06