The complete range of drills for use in micro dimensions

Specialists for universal micro and deep hole drilling applications

    Contents

  1. WTX – Micro​ high-performance & deep hole drill
    - Video​
    - Advantages / benefits​
  2. WTX – Micropilot micro pilot drill
    - Advantages / benefits​
  3. The complete micro drill range at a glance
  4. Recommended technical application​
    - WTX – Micropilot​
    - WTX – Micro

The trend towards producing increasingly delicate parts is increasing the focus on micro machining in industrial applications. One key aspect of this is bore machining, which is resulting in a steadily growing market for micro drills. As the complexity and miniaturisation of parts rises, so too do the demands on the machining process, making precision, surface quality, repeatability, cost effectiveness, tool life and process security essential in this regard.

CERATIZIT wants to provide its customers with solutions that enable them to meet this trend, which is why it is steadily growing its portfolio of micro tools.

When it comes to micro-dimension bore machining, the WTX – Micro is both a specialist for micro and deep hole drilling and suitable for universal use; it is anything but choosy when it comes to materials.

This means it can be used for many different applications in a diverse range of industries. From general mechanical engineering and medtech to the paper industry or the watch, clock and jewellery industry – our micro drills are put through their paces in a huge range of applications. Even when working in micro dimensions, the WTX – Micro produces the accustomed high WTX performance drilling quality up to 30xD while maintaining maximum positioning accuracy.

The newly developed WTX – Micropilot, which is a perfect pre-machining tool even under the most challenging conditions, completes the range. From spot drilling on surfaces with slopes or curves up to 50° to producing a chamfer at the bore entry, the WTX – Micropilot gets it done in a single machining operation.

    

1. WTX – Micro - High-performance drill & high-performance deep hole drill

Secure processes thanks to optimised geometry and Dragonskin coating

Even when working in micro dimensions, the WTX – Micro produces the accustomed high WTX performance drilling quality up to 30xD while maintaining maximum positioning accuracy. 

The 5xD version is designed as a pilot drill for the WTX – Micro deep hole drill, creating the ideal conditions for the micro deep hole drilling process. Thanks to its outstanding self-centring feature, there is no need to drill a pilot hole or perform centring for the micro drills up to and including 8xD.

Whether it is steel, cast iron materials or heat-resistant materials/alloys – our WTX – Micro can take on anything!
CERATIZIT Product Manager, Manuel Keller
  • Special drill point guarantees maximum positioning accuracy and outstanding centring properties
  • Lapped surfaces and patented chip space openings allow for rapid and reliable chip removal
  • Innovative Dragonskin DPX74M coating makes the WTX – Micro resistant to heat and wear
  • Spiral coolant holes and a Power chamber along the whole shank length ensure optimum cooling of the cutting edges, significantly extending tool life
  • Process security and tight tolerances are the priority in the performance specification – and the WTX – Micro has been successfully engineered for this very purpose
  • Fine-grain carbide ensures consistently outstanding tool quality

The WTX – Micro drills are equipped with the innovative DPX74M coating to make them even more resistant against wear and heat.

The WTX – Micro comes in diameters ranging from 0.8 to 2.90 mm and lengths of 5xD, 8xD and 12xD. 
The WTX – Micro high-performance deep hole drills are available in the 1.00 to 2.90 mm range in lengths of 16xD, 20xD, 25xD and 30xD

    

2. WTX – Micropilot: the pilot drill that's up to any challenge ​

Our latest development, the WTX – Micropilot, makes the impossible possible. Whereas in the past, spot drilling on angled or curved surfaces would only have been possible with prior spot-facing for each milling cutter, now you only need one tool: the WTX – Micropilot. What if you want to produce a 90° countersink at the hole entrance, say? The WTX – Micropilot lets you do it in a single machining operation, saving tool changes, time and costs.  

Perfectly matched to our WTX – Micro micro drill from 8xD to 30xD, the pilot drill is used at hole depths of up to 2.5xD. Its sophisticated end geometry with 160° point angle allows for clean plunging and avoids wandering by the main drill. The special Dragonskin coating ensures optimum chip evacuation and a longer tool life.

The advantages of the WTX – Micropilot: ​

  • State-of-the-art: substrate, geometry, coating
  • WTX – Micropilot (pilot drill) and WTX – Micro (deep hole drill) are perfectly attuned to one another
  • Extremely tight tolerances ensure the deep hole drill does not wander
  • Optimum chip evacuation thanks to sophisticated end geometry and DPX74M Dragonskin coating
  • 90° countersink at the hole entrance possible (with flat drilling application) ​
  • Direct spot drilling of straight, angled and curved surfaces with an angle of inclination of up to 50°

> Maximum productivity and process security thanks to optimised geometry and high-performance coating

> Significant saving in time and money as there is no need for an additional tool – 2 instead of 3 process steps

Direct spot drilling of convex and concave surfaces possible

Direct spot drilling of angled surfaces up to 50° or 90° countersink with flat drilling application

Is the micro-machining of complex and small components a challenge that you tackle on a daily basis?

Then you should take a look at our comprehensive range of micro drills. Why not get in touch and speak with one of our experts today?

    

3. The complete micro drill range at a glance

    

4. WTX – Micropilot: Recommended application

General technical information

It is advisable to use the tool with external cooling. Be careful to ensure that the coolant is aimed directly at the tool tip. This will ensure that there is adequate cooling and effective chip evacuation.

Apply our cutting data recommendations when using the tool.

1. Pilot hole in angled or curved surfaces

Produce the pilot hole in one go up to a maximum hole depth of 2.5xD. Angled or curved surfaces can be machined up to a max. inclination of 50° without prior spot-facing. Applying a countersink at the hole entrance is not possible on angled or curved surfaces.

2. Hole with chamfer

Produce the pilot hole in a single sweep. If required, a 90° chamfer can additionally be produced at the hole entrance (with flat drilling application) after the 2.5xD hole depth is reached.

WTX – Micro: Recommended application

General technical information

  • During vertical machining, a pilot hole is not required for regular and straight surfaces from Ø 1.0 mm up to a length of 12xD due to the excellent self-centring. During horizontal drilling, a pilot drill must be used for irregular and angled surfaces. The WTX – Micropilot and WTX – Micro 5xD are ideal pilot drills.
  • To guarantee problem-free insertion of the deep hole drill in the pilot hole, during horizontal machining a 90° countersink is recommended. This can be produced with the WTX – Micropilot or alternatively with a suitable NC countersink.
  • During vertical machining, drills from Ø 1.0 mm up to a length of 12xD can also be operated outside the pilot hole without a reduction in speed.
  • For through holes, the feed per revolution must be reduced by 50% before exiting the hole.
  • For long-chipping materials, pecking may be required every 3xD from a hole depth of 10xD. Peck drilling (retraction) should occur at the pilot hole depth.
  • Due to the small thro' coolant Ø during micro drilling, effective filtration of the cooling medium is of the utmost importance.
    Drill < Ø 2.0 mm Filter ≤ 0.010 mm
    Drill < Ø 3.0 mm Filter ≤ 0.020 mm
  • The longer the coolant is in the machine, suspended particles and particulate matter in the cooling medium prevent effective coolant flow. Regular replacement of the coolant is therefore recommended.
  • A suitable clamping device with maximum radial run-out accuracy and balance quality is required for process-secure production. 
  • Radial run-out accuracy ≤ 0.003 mm 
  • Suitability for high speed ranges
  • To guarantee process-secure drilling, the coolant pressure must be a minimum of 30 bar.

1. Producing the pilot hole

  • Pilot hole depth: min. 2xD ​
  • It must be ensured that the prepared pilot hole is free from chips to avoid blocking of the micro deep hole drill cutting edges

2. Entering the pilot hole with a deep hole drill

  • Speed 300 rpm (reverse rotation sometimes possible)
  • Entry speed approx. 1000 mm/min
  • Switch on cooling
  • Increase parameters 0.5 to 1.0 mm before reaching the bottom of the pilot hole

3. Deep hole drilling

  • At hole depth without pecking

4. Retracting the drill

  • Retract drill approx. 1xD
  • Reduce speed to 300 rpm
  • Exit speed approx. 1000 mm/min
  • Switch off emulsion before exiting the hole