Steel Step Drill
Chile miner rescue offers risk lessons
Conducting a broad risk analysis, tapping a variety of experts and taking a deliberative approach proved key in the successful rescue of 33 Chilean miners trapped more than 2,000 feet underground for more than two months, according to experts say.

Drill and tap holes into steel pipe for wind turbine

Steel Step Drill

Step Drill Bit

The End Of The Beam Drill Line?

For structural steel fabricators - the guys who cut, weld, shape and create joists, trusses and beams for office towers, hospitals, bridges, arenas - the last word in automation over the past several years has been the CNC beam drill line. A beam drill line is a machine tool that uses a conveyor to move a steel beam or "girder"into position, then drills holes - specifically bolt holes - in various locations along the steel piece, following the details provided in an engineering drawing of what the end product is to be.

An automated beam drill line is a big step in efficiency, compared to the traditional way of making various measurements on the bare beam to mark it as indicated by the engineering drawing, then drilling the holes manually - typically using a standard drill press. This time-consuming approach was an all manual process.

The Computer-Numerical-Controlled (CNC) beam drill line can download the digital drawing file, assess exactly where the holes belong, "probe" the beam using the drill head and positioners, then drill through the steel at very high speeds using super-hard carbide drill bits and cutting fluids. The bolt holes are made seemingly in the "blink of an eye" and most of the labor is getting the on and off the line and uploading the digital drawing into the machine's software.

That's a huge advantage over the "old fashioned" method, but there's a certain limitation, and it's a pretty important one. THERE ARE TYPICALLY MANY MORE MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS THAT MUST BE DONE ON THE STEEL BEAM. Cutting different features (such as copes, notches, bevels) into the , trimming off the end of the section to get it to the required length, and "scribing" different characters and symbols into the workpiece are additional operations typically required on many steel beams. How many of these can be performed by a CNC beam drill line? Sadly, none of them.

In summary, while a beam drill line boosts productivity of drilling bolt holes, it doesn't automate any of these other tasks.

A radically different fabrication method has come to the fabrication industry that performs hole drilling operation just as fast and accurately as the beam drill line, but performs a comparable level of automation to the many additional operations done to structural beams. It uses high-definition plasma cutting to thermally cut through or scribe the steel.

This technology is similar to the beam drill line in that the steel is transferred into the plasma torch vicinity, the digital file containing all the feature information is loaded into the plasma machine's PC-based control system, and the cutting torch tip touches the workpiece to figure out (and remember) precisely where it's located and envelope and surface features. Then the plasma torch starts cutting bolt holes . . . and notches, copes, cutouts, bevel cuts, miter cuts . . . the full range of operations associated with structural steel fabrication.

The automated plasma cutting machines can produce all these needed features, going from one side of the beam to the other side. When it's done, all the needed operations are finished - there's no need to move the steel piece to another operation. The plasma machines are kind of a "one stop shop" for fabricators.

Different versions of these plasma machines are coming on the market, with a variety of capacities and prices. As for the venerable beam drill line . . . the heyday of beam drill line technology has come and is on its way out.

There's a lot more info here: The Demise of the Beam Drill Line?
How To Cope Steel Beams - Completey Automated

About the Author

I'm a writer and blogger specializing in explaining new manufacturing technology that exists in one sector, but that holds promise for application in other sectors. Boring stuff, yes, but useful for the cross-pollenization of ideas.

Step Drill Bit article

Step Drill

Types Drill Bits You Can Choose From

Many a time when you are stuck during drilling a hole, you need a specific bit to get the job done. Let's understand the types of drill bits designed for specific purposes.

Adjustable bit: comes with an adjustable cutter to bore holes of varying sizes. Used for drilling holes for piping or wiring where a rough cut is acceptable.

Around-the-corner bit: to cut curved holes in tight corners with an angled cutting surface.

Auger Bits: designed to drill holes in wooden material. The drilling end has a screw head so that the bit can self feed.

Brad-point drills: similar to standard bits but have a sharpened point that makes it easier to start in wood. Drills cleaner holes than a spade bit.

Counterbore: a drill bit which permits a screw to be driven beneath the woods surface. The hole can then be filled with a plug.

Countersink bit: has an angled tip that's designed to form a depression for screw heads.

Drill Saw bit: Used to cut holes in metal and wood. Can enlarge existing holes.

Expansion bit: another term for adjustable bit. An expansion bit uses an adjustable cutter to bore holes of varying sizes.

Fly Cutter: used on a drill press to cut circles. The diameter of the circles can be adjusted by changing the cutter setting.

Forstner Bit: used to a create a flat bottomed hole in wood, a mortise can be formed by cutting overlapping holes. Also used to a create a segment of a hole at the edge of a board. Use only in a drill press.

Glass bit: has a carbide tip for drilling through glass.

Hole saws: cuts holes from 1" to 6" in diameter, have a center bit for guiding the cutting edge of the saw.
Masonry bits: have carbide tips for drilling holes in masonry, use at speeds below 400rpm.

MultiSpur bit: drills holes large enough to run pipe or conduit through. A threaded screw in the center of the cutting circle pulls the work towards the cutting edge.
Nail Spinner: used to start finishing nails, prevents wood from splintering as it is driven in. A hammer is used to finish the job.

Reamer Bit: a tapered bit that can be used to fit into an existing hole either to enlarge it.

Rotary Files: used for the same purpose as a conventional file, great for expanding holes in metal and cleaning up rough edges.

Paint Mixers: consist of a shaft with fan type blades. Put the shaft into the paint before rotating to avoid splatter.

Plastic Bit: has a tip that prevents splintering when drilling in plastic. Drill slowly and reduce pressure as you reach the other side of you work.

Plug Cutter: can be used to cut out cylindrical shapes from wood. These small cylindrical plugs are used to cover screw heads. This bit should only be used in drill press.

Screw driving bits: used for driving screws.
Screw Pilot bit: used to drill a pilot hole, body hole and countersink all at the same time.

Spade bit: has a sharpened point and used for drilling large diameter holes in wood. These bits work best at fast drilling speeds, but remember to start slowly.

Step Bit: a tapered bit with up to 13 diameters as the bit penetrates the work it drills a hole with an increasingly large diameter.

Twist drills: standard drill bits, used for drilling small diameter holes in wood and metal.

Wire Brushes: used to clean up metal, remove rust. Available as either a cup or a wheel with wire brush on the rim.

Woodscrew bit: available in a variety of sizes to match particular screw sizes. Woodscrews are used to drill a pilot hole, body hole and countersink all at the same time.

About the Author

If you need to know more information about drill bit types, then visit our site completely devoted to drill bits.

Step Drill article

Step Drill Bits
Pelangio Exploration Intersects High Grade Gold in Oxide at the Manfo Property
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - 10/13/10) - Pelangio Exploration Inc. (TSX-V: PX - News )(OTC.BB: PGXPF - News ) ("Pelangio" or the "Company") is pleased to announce high-grade gold intersections in oxidized bedrock from the Pokukrom West area and the new discovery of a potential bulk tonnage zone at the Nfante East area of the Manfo Property in Ghana. Highlights of the five diamond drill holes ...

Step Drill Bit Set Lot on Ebay

Step Drill Bits

Coated Drill

Republicans, should we teach the party a lesson + vote Obama ?

I am,,,,(believe it).
Anybody, but the traitior (McCain).
Turn-coat, (McCain).
Rino, (McCain).
Sham-nesty, (McCain).
Globalist, (McCain).
Global warming, (McCain).
Close gitmo, (McCain).
No water-boarding, (McCain).
No-more tax cuts, (McCain).
No more drilling for oil, (McCain).
Involved with shady people, (McCain).
The Democrats darling, (McCain).
Old man wearing a diaper, (McCain).

yes

Wire Gauge Supports Drill Bits to Create Precisely Sized Holes

Drill bits are equipments or tools that are used in making cylindrical holes. Being referred as a drilling machine, Drill bits are employed in wood, metal and plastic applications where more precisely sized holes are needed. Drill bits are obtainable in various drill types that include metal drills, gun drills, screw machine drills, core drills, step drills, spade drills, forstner drills, masonry drills, dental or surgical drills, wood bits, twist drills, drill blank taper drills and much more.

The choice of drill bits depends upon person to person. If you are looking at a few quick handy tools, then a set of steel twisted bits and a few masonry bits would be adequate. But if you are working on the floor then you would require bits which are larger and or designed for a specific requirement.

An extensive search through the internet offers you one of the best bits named as steel twist bits. This twist bits can be employed for wood, plastic and similar material and are also advantageous while drilling metal sheets. Made up of either High Speed Steel or Carbon Steel, steel twist bit is highly sought-after as both the drill bits serve a different purpose like the carbon steel drill bit is used for drilling wood and not metal.        

For sharpening the blades of drill bits, you can employ a drill sharpener, a grindstone jig or an oilstone. Sharpening the blades or drilling areas regularly keeps the bits in shape, therefore it is cost effective. But you need to keep in mind that titanium nitride coating layered on the surface of the bit might ruin unintentionally during the sharpening process. By forming a correct angle at the tip while drilling you can extend the life of the of your drill bit. However, drill bits are featured with metals and wires in various shapes and sizes. The wire incorporated in the bit is available in various gauges and is applicable to give solution to the electrical process of drilling.

Definition of Wire Gauge:

Wire gauge can be defined as a measurement of how large a wire is, either in diameter or cross sectional area. It makes us to determine the amount of electric current a wire can carry without any harm, as well as its electrical resistance and weight per unit of length. Wire gauge is applicable to both electrical and non-electrical wires, being important to electrical wiring and to structural cable. Sharp and precision made for use in wood, plastic and metal, Drill Bits are accurately numbered and come in gauge sizes of #50 to #80.

About the Author

Gyros Tools is an industry leader in Miniature tools, Drill Bits– Wire Gauge to create sized holes and other Miniature accessories. Miniature Cutters and router bits are used for shaping, hollowing, grooving and making tapered holes.

Coated Drill

Titanium Step Drill

Chrissy Steltz moves one step closer to a face with implant surgery
Shooting victim Chrissy Steltz gets facial implants in three-hour operation. Surgeons installed eight titanium screws for securing a facial prosthesis.

Drill Bits

Drill Bits

Drill bits, the most important part of any drill machine is used to bore cylindrical holes in different materials like metal, wood, plastics, etc. As per your requirement you can make the choice of drill bits If you are looking for a few quick useful tools a set of steel twisted bits and a few masonry bits would be enough but if you are working on the floor then you would require bits which are larger and or designed for a specific purpose/material.

We come across many types of drill bits designed for a specific purpose. One such drill bits is the steel twist bits. The twist bits can be used for wood, plastic and similar material and are also useful while drilling metal sheets. The twist steel bits are mostly made up of either High Speed Steel or Carbon Steel. Both the drill bits serve a different purpose like the carbon steel drill bit is used for drilling wood and not metal. The steel twisted bits coated with Titanium Nitride (TiN) are also available. These drill bits exhibits a typical gold like color. This coating provides the drill bit more hardness and also a self-lubricating property. This bit should only be used for drilling metal and not any other material. As these bits are thin and brittle Special care should be taken when using the smallest. Always hold the drill square to the work and apply only light pressure when drilling.

You can use a drill sharpener, a grindstone jig or an oilstone to do this for sharpening the blades. Sharpening the blades or drilling areas regularly keeps the bits in shape and hence is cost effective. But while sharpening the twist drill bits Special care should be taken as titanium nitride coating can be destroyed. By forming a correct angle at the tip while drilling you can extend the life of the of your drill bit.

There are a variety of drill bits for different purposes. Some of them we can enlist here to give you a broad idea. The types of drill bits are:

Metal Drills

Ejector Drill

Core drill

Left-hand bit

Countersink bit

Indexable drill

Spade Drill

Trepan

Twist drill

Gun drill

Center drill

Wood Drills

Lip and spur drill

Spade bit

Brace drill bit

Auger bit

Gimlet bit

Step bit

Forstner bit

Hinge sinker bit

Adjustable Wood Bit

Other Materials

Diamond core bit

Masonry drill

Hole saw

PCB through-hole drill

Installer bit

About the Author

Looking for more information on Drill Bits check out www.drill-bits.biz your guide to Drill Bits.

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