M.A. Ford Europe launches high performance Cyclone CDA drill for aluminium

The latest addition to the Cyclone range of high performance drills from M.A. Ford Europe is the new Cyclone CDA, which is designed to deliver high metal removal and penetration rates, when drilling aluminium non-ferrous metals and related alloys with a Brinell hardness of under 130HB.

The design of the uncoated, solid carbide Cyclone CDA uses a new low-thrust point geometry, which reduces cutting forces and enables heavier feed rates to be applied whilst also extending tool life, improving productivity and lowering the cost per hole.

Through coolant is incorporated as standard together with a deeper polished flute form to improve chip evacuation in extreme drilling applications. In addition, the CDA’s new enhanced double margin design gives a smoother finish and allows quicker hole engagement, as well as improving its location and stability when drilling through cross-holes.

Covering hole diameters from 3.0mm up to 12.5mm, the current two-flute CDA’s drilling depth is 5x diameter across the range, which provides high levels of versatility while maintaining tool stability under high speeds and feed rates in operation. Other length to diameter ratios are soon to be added to expand the choice, versatility and applications within the range.

While the cutting speeds and penetration rates will be dependent on individual applications, the quoted starting figure for using the CDA to drill a 10mm diameter hole in aluminium or an aluminium wrought alloy is 230 m/min (7,320 rev/min) with a mid-point penetration rate of 0.40 mm/rev giving a feed of 2,928 mm/min. At maximum levels for the same material, the Cyclone CDA can achieve figures of 14,322 rev/min and a feed rate of more than 7,000 mm/min.

M.A Ford Europe’s Managing Director, David Ward, explained: “The cutting performance we can achieve with the Cyclone CDA is exceptional and allows manufacturers to achieve some significant productivity improvements by reducing the machining time and cost per hole. The CDA, along with our Cyclone CXD range, for high temperature alloys and difficult to machine materials, provides a comprehensive high performance drilling solution that delivers a wide range of performance, productivity and precision benefits.”

Further information on M.A. Ford Europe and its manufacturing solutions is available from www.mafordeurope.com or by calling +44 (0) 1332 267960.

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