Tips and tricks to prevent wear or problems during solid carbide drilling

• Built-up edges 
• Corners broken off
• Significant flank wear
• Edge breakage on main cutting edge
• Round chamfer wear
• Scoring on the tool flank

• Heavy wear at chisel edge
• Edge breakage at intersection, drill point and main cutting edge
• Plastic deformation of cutting corner
• Poor surface quality
• Heavy burring on hole exit

A common reason for built-up edges is that the cutting speed is too low, excessive honing of the main cutting edge or an uncoated cutting edge. If you are having problems with built-up edges, the following might help:

• Increasethe cutting speed
• Reduce cutting edge
• Select a coated tool

Unstable conditions, significant run-out errors or an interrupted cut can cause corners to break off. When problems with corners breaking off arise, try the following:

• Change clamping
• Optimise run-out
• Less feed

Excessive cutting speeds, insufficient feeds or a clearance angle that is too low can cause major flank wear. For reduced flank wear, we recommend

• Lower cutting speed
• Increased feed
• Greater clearance angle

Edge breakage on the main cutting edge often occurs due to unstable conditions, interrupted cut or the maximum wear width is exceeded. Selecting an incorrect tool type can also be the cause. Try the following in this case:

• More stable clamping of workpiece and tool
• Reduce feed
• Optimise tool
• Change tool earlier

Unstable conditions, significant run-out errors or inadequate tapering can cause round chamfer wear. Incorrect emulsion or one that is too thin can also be the cause. If you are having problems with round chamfer wear, try the following:

• More stable clamping of workpiece and tool
• Run-out control
• Increase tapering
• Use thicker emulsion or oil 

Unstable conditions, significant run-out errors or interrupted cuts are often the cause of scoring on the tool flank. This problem occurs in particular with abrasive materials. The following can help:

• Change clamping
• Correct run-out
• Reduce feed
• Use thicker emulsion or oil 

Cutting speed too low, excessive feed or excessive honing of the main cutting edge can cause major wear at the chisel edge. The following can help here:

• Increase cutting speed
• Reduce feed
• Optimise cutting edge - select a different geometry

If you are struggling with edge breakage at the intersection, at the drill point or on the main cutting edge, the reason may be that the clearance angle is too small, excessive honing of the main cutting edge or the incorrect tool has been selected. Try the following in this case:

• Increase the clearance angle
• Optimise the cutting edge
• Select a different tool

Excessive cutting speeds, insufficient emulsion, incorrect or no corner honing can cause plastic deformation of the cutting edges. The following can prevent the deformation of the cutting edges:

• Reduce the cutting speed
• Use more coolant
• Correct the corner honing

Poor surface quality is often caused by significant run-out errors, too little cooling or unstable conditions. The following can optimise the quality of the surface:

• Run-out control
• Use more emulsion
• Change clamping

Heavy burring on the hole exit can be caused by excessive feed or excessive honing of the main cutting edge. Try the following in this case:

• Reduce feed
• Reduce cutting edge