Kennametal Introduces FBX Drill for Aerospace Machining

Kennametal now offers the FBX drill, designed for flat-bottom drilling of structural aerospace parts. The FBX drill can provide up to 200 percent higher metal removal rates when machining high-temperature alloys, stainless steel and other materials, according to the company. The modular drill is the first of a three-part tooling concept; it is followed by the HARVI Ultra 8X and the HARVI end mill series, which is designed to decrease cycle times.

According to Kennametal, quickly removing large amounts of material can present a challenge for drills. The first process step is to enter the material by using ramping techniques, which can be time-consuming with low rates of metal removal.

The FBX combines advantages from both a flat-bottom drill and a Z-axis plunge mill, according to George Roth, product manager at Kennametal. The flat bottom is designed to eliminates radial forces and the four cutting edges are meant to increase feed and speed rates, Roth explains. Once the drill has shaped the basic structure of the component, roughing and finishing with indexable and solid end mills are the next process steps.

Four cutting edges provide stability in applications like chain hole drilling, while large chip flutes aid in chip evacuation. The drill point is supported by a series of exchangeable coolant nozzles to help eliminate heat buildup. It is made up of a center insert with two cutting edges and chip splitters for maximum feed capabilities. The drill bodies are available in diameters of 60, 75 and 90 mm, and come in a long (150 mm) and short (95 mm) version. This modular drill connects to Kennametal’s bolt taper flange (BTF) mount adapters, available in various spindle connection styles.

The FBX is suited for drilling into solid material, chain hole drilling and plunging into a variety of materials, such as high temperature alloys, stainless steel, other steels and cast irons. It is also suitable for similar applications for the general engineering and power generation markets.