The latest innovation from AMEC is the new BT-A deep hole drilling system, which uses the latest T-A® and GEN2 T-A® replaceable insert technology to deliver significant gains in productivity, penetration rates and tool life improvements over other alterative deep drilling solutions.
AMEC’s T-A® replaceable insert technology, allows deep holes to be produced using a single high performance indexable insert, rather than the often complex array of multiple smaller inserts used in non-AMEC systems. In addition to balancing the cutting forces and allowing higher penetration rates to be achieved, the T-A range enables alternative insert geometries to be used in the same head design, giving greater versatility when deep drilling different materials.
With diameters ranging from 12.95 mm to 47.80 mm, the flexibility of the BT-A deep hole drilling system is enhanced further as customers can also use inserts from the extensive and fully interchangeable GEN2 T-A® inserts range.
The unique BT-A tool design uses two large ports in the sides of the head, this not only allows rapid and unrestricted evacuation of swarf by the flushing coolant but also enables a higher mass of metal to support the cutting insert in the nose of the tool, giving greater rigidity and durability. Also, the head is around three times longer than most other types of BTA style deep drilling tools which, when combined with its extended laser clad bearing areas, delivers improved straightness in holes up to 2.6 metres deep.
The new BT-A system uses standard location threads giving the drills full compatibility and interchangeability with boring tubes used on BTA-STS applications, diameter range is from 794 to 811 (11.00 mm to 43.00 mm outside diameters).
European Operations Manager with AMEC, Paul Crawford, explained: “By using our T-A and GEN2 T-A insert technologies, the cutting forces are balanced across a single insert, rather than multiple smaller inserts, this allows for higher penetration rates to be achieved. Also, our high performance AM200® coating gives outstanding tool life and productivity improvements across a wide range of deep drilling applications.”
A range of tubes for Single Tube System (STS) boring applications, incorporating standard BTA threads, is also included within the new system and are available in either 1600 mm or 2591 mm lengths. Custom diameters and lengths are also available on special order to give even greater versatility and meet precise needs.
With the launch of the new BT-A drilling system, AMEC has extended the scope of its deep hole drilling programme, which also includes the XL and 3XL deep hole drills covering a diameter range from 9.5mm to 114.48mm.
To support the extended deep hole drilling range, AMEC has introduced a new fully dedicated ‘T-A® Deep Hole Drilling’ catalogue, this provides technical details and information on every product in the deep hole drilling programme, and also includes a guide to selecting the right drill as well as information on selecting the correct grade of insert for each application.