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Drilling

Introduction to Drilling

Drilling is a core machining process used to produce accurate, clean, and burr-free holes in everything from lightweight composites to high-strength metals. In sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and precision engineering, hole quality directly impacts part integrity and overall performance.

Exactaform’s PCD, carbide, and CBN drills are engineered for demanding applications, offering extended tool life, exceptional dimensional accuracy, and stable, repeatable results. Whether it’s high-volume CFRP drilling in aircraft production or precision holemaking in titanium engine components, our drills are designed to reduce cycle times, improve efficiency, and maintain tight tolerances across a wide range of materials and applications.

Types of Drills

Exactaform offers a wide range of high-performance drilling tools, each engineered to optimise hole quality, extend tool life, and improve overall machining efficiency. All drills are available with custom geometries, coatings, and shank configurations to meet specific application and material requirements.

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Standard Point Drills

Cost-effective for low-volume production, with polished flutes for efficient swarf evacuation and maximum rework capability.

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8-Facet Drills

Designed for aerospace materials, reducing thrust force and delamination while ensuring clean hole exits in CFRP and aluminium stacks.

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PCD Drill Reamers

Dagger-style geometry with spiral flutes, ideal for high-volume aerospace applications requiring precise hole sizing and extended tool life.

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PCD Carbon Drill/Countersink

Combines drilling, reaming, and countersinking in one tool, delivering exceptional productivity and cost savings.

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CFRP Drills

Specially developed to eliminate delamination and maximise durability in carbon composite materials.

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Aerospace Drills

Engineered for tight tolerances and excellent surface integrity in multi-material stacks such as CFRP, aluminium, and titanium.

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Countersinks

Precision tools for achieving flush finishes in aerospace and automotive assemblies.

Bespoke Drill Design

We specialise in bespoke drill design, developing custom solutions tailored to industry, material, and specific part requirements. We understand that some machining challenges can’t be solved with off-the-shelf tools, which is why we work closely with manufacturers to engineer drills that enhance performance, improve tool life, and maintain precision in demanding applications.

Alongside our standard drilling products, our bespoke solutions ensure that whether you’re machining aerospace composites, high-strength alloys, or intricate automotive components, you have a drill optimised for your exact needs.

Materials Our Drills Can Be Used For

Selecting the right drill for the material is essential to achieving optimal hole quality, longer tool life, and efficient machining. Exactaform offers high-performance PCD, carbide, and CBN drills, each engineered to deliver maximum precision across a wide range of materials.

Choosing the right tool ensures superior surface finish, reduced downtime, and maximum drilling performance.

Cutting Strategies & Cutting Data for Drills

Achieving optimal hole quality, tool life, and machining efficiency depends on selecting the right cutting strategy and data. Factors like material type, tool geometry, feed rates, and spindle speeds all impact performance.

Exactaform’s application engineers and technical team work with manufacturers to optimise drilling processes, ensuring the correct speeds, feeds, and parameters are applied for maximum precision. Whether you need on-site support or expert recommendations, we help you get the most from your tooling.

Why Choose Exactaform for Drills

With over 45 years of expertise, Exactaform delivers precision-engineered drill solutions that improve hole quality, tool life, and process efficiency, supported by our expert technical teams and cutting-edge manufacturing technology.

FAQ’s