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Diamond-Coated Tools for Aerospace

Built for abrasive materials. Backed for long-running programmes.

In aerospace, tool wear can show up in extra tool changes, less stable hole quality, finish issues, inspection pressure and a process that becomes harder to predict.

That is where Exactaform’s Aero-CARB range fits

Exactaform’s diamond-coated tooling range for advanced composite and abrasive material machining, including diamond-coated drills, double margin drills, roughing end mills, finishing end mills and ballnose tools.

The Aero-CARB range

Aero-CARB gives aerospace manufacturers diamond-coated tooling options for abrasive materials across drilling, roughing, finishing, ball-nose milling and slot drilling.

The right option depends on the material, operation, tolerance, finish requirement and how the tool needs to behave in the process.

collection of exactaform drill bits

When standard carbide starts costing more than the tool

Carbide tooling is the industry standard and in the right application, it does the job well.

The problem begins when abrasive materials take the edge off too quickly, leading to more frequent tool changes, harder-to-hold finishes, inconsistent holes and extra process checks all carry a cost, even before the next tool is ordered.

That is why aerospace tooling cannot be judged on unit cost alone.

A diamond-coated tool does not solve every problem, and it should not be pushed into every application. But where abrasive materials are shortening carbide life, Aero-CARB gives aerospace teams a stronger route: better wear resistance, practical availability and a more controlled basis for evaluation.

2 Flute Double Margin Diamond Coated Drill

New to the Aero-CARB Range, the 2 Flute Double Margin Diamond Coated Drill is built for abrasive drilling applications where standard carbide is not lasting long enough and process stability matters.

With new size options and diamond-coated wear resistance, it supports cleaner, more consistent holes in suitable aluminium silicon alloys, CFRP and graphite applications. The double margin design provides added guidance through the hole, helping manufacturers improve drilling confidence in demanding materials.

Single exactaform drill bit

Cleaner Holes. Fewer Tool Changes.

The Aero-CARB 2 Flute Double Margin Diamond Coated Drill is built for abrasive materials where standard carbide drills are not lasting long enough and the process needs cleaner, more consistent holes.

The double margin design supports guidance through the hole. The CVD diamond coating helps protect the cutting edge against abrasive wear. Together, they give aerospace teams a stronger drilling route for suitable CFRP, graphite and aluminium silicon alloy applications.

View the 2 Flute Double Margin Drill
exit holes close up

Supported materials and starting data

The current Aero-CARB cutting data supports selected aluminium silicon alloys, multidirectional CFRP and graphite. It includes starting cutting speeds, feed guidance by drill diameter and practical notes around coolant, air blast and feed reduction on hole exit.

For aluminium alloys, soluble oil coolant is recommended. For CFRP and graphite, air blast is recommended to remove chips and dust and help prevent heat build-up in the flutes. On hole exit in CFRP and graphite, the technical guidance recommends reducing feed by 30% to help eliminate breakout issues. 

Material

Cutting Speed

Feed mm/rev​ | Drill Diameter 3 mm​

Feed mm/rev​ | Drill Diameter 6 mm​

Feed mm/rev​ | Drill Diameter 9 mm​

Feed mm/rev​ | Drill Diameter 12 mm​

Aluminium 9% Si

100–250 m/min

0.04​

0.06​

0.1​

0.12​

Aluminium 13% Si

80–150 m/min

0.02​

0.03​

0.05​

0.07​

Aluminium 25% Si

80–150 m/min

0.01​

0.02​

0.03​

0.05​

CFRP multidirectional

50–150 m/min

0.02​

0.03​

0.05​

0.08​

Graphite

60–600 m/min

0.02​

0.04​

0.08​

0.12​

Ask About Starting Parameters

Where Aero-CARB fits in aerospace production

Aero-CARB can support aerospace applications involving:

  • CFRP drilling
  • graphite drilling
  • aluminium silicon alloy drilling 
  • composite routing 
  • composite trimming 
  • abrasive finishing 
  • ballnose milling in abrasive materials 
  • CNC machining in controlled aerospace environments 
  • prototype and evaluation work 
  • low- to medium-volume abrasive material production 
Talk to Us About Your Aerospace Application
2 Flute Double Margin Diamond Coated Drills

Built for more than the first trial

Exactaform can support aerospace teams beyond the first tool enquiry, helping review the material, application, stock route, starting data and whether diamond-coated, carbide or PCD is the right answer.

For some teams, the immediate need is cleaner drilling in CFRP or aluminium silicon alloys. For others, it is reducing tool changes on an abrasive process. For procurement and quality teams, the priority may be confidence in supply, documentation and support before a tool is used more widely.

Why Exactaform?

Exactaform has built its reputation on specialist tooling for demanding applications.

We support aerospace teams who need more than a catalogue answer. That means looking at the material, operation, tool path, tolerance, production requirement and commercial reality before recommending a route.

Aero-CARB gives customers a diamond-coated option for advanced composite and abrasive material machining. Our wider capability across PCD, carbide, diamond-coated tooling and specials means we can help you decide where the range fits and where another tooling solutions may be stronger.

That is what we mean by being your projects partner: looking at the job properly, telling it straight and helping you get the right tool for the work.

Made different, delivered better.

Ready to work with us?

Like the sound of our tooling approach? Need answers to your biggest machining questions?

Our expert team are ready for your enquiry.

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