Gundrilling Machine Increases Drive Shaft Production Volume

Kays Engineering’s DeHoff 518 Cell is a gundrilling machine for high-volume production of scroll compressor drive shafts. These shafts require a different-diameter hole to be drilled in each end for lubrication of the scroll bearing. 

The machine is made up of nine gundrilling spindles used to drill the opposing holes. Three gundrilling spindles on a single machine base produce shorter holes with a larger diameter. Deeper holes with a smaller diameter are produced using six gundrilling spindles on two separate machine bases with three spindles each. More spindles are dedicated to the deeper hole because of its longer cycle time, which results in a balanced throughput for each gundrilling operation, according to the company.

The machine features a 0.5" (12.7-mm) gundrilling capacity and an 18" (457-mm) slide travel. It has a cast iron drill head base with hardened and ground steel box ways. Its hand-scraped and fitted saddle, gibs and straps replace linear guideways and milled surfaces for improved vibration damping, accuracy, surface finish and extended tool life.