High Feed Rate Drilling of Aluminum Alloy

With the prime objective of contriving an effective method of drilling on conventional machine tools with conventional drills, the high feed rate drilling of aluminum alloy A1050, A2017 and A6061 is attempted with titanium nitride coated SKH56 drills under cutting conditions (1500 rpm, 1.0 mm/rev) harsher than those generally employed. Results obtained of cutting characteristics such as cutting forces, drill wear, heat generated, chip shape hole finish etc were examined in order to determine the critical cutting condition for conventional drills. From results obtained it is found that the high feed drilling of aluminum alloy A1050 is difficult practically. While high feed drilling in A2017 and A6061 alloys is very feasible.