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Indexable drills for optimum performance

With an indexable drill, a machinist can drill faster, change cutting edges faster, and, by choosing the right insert, drill holes in a wider range of materials. When machinists set up and use indexable drills correctly, they can increase productivity and increase profits. The use of indexable drills is generally limited to short hole depths.
When setting up indexable drills for holes in the depth range, the user must take care to properly position the tool relative to the spindle and workpiece, ensuring that the centerlines of the drill and spindle are parallel. Additionally, runout is a measure of tool misalignment in the radial direction and must be kept to a minimum.
The radial runout changes the position of the blade. This affects the center height of the insert, which for indexable drills depends on the position of the insert cutting edge relative to the spindle centerline. To maintain the correct center height, the runout should not exceed 0.005".
Many drills can be offset to change the cutting diameter. In other words, the user can change the position of the drill bit so that the centerline of the tool no longer passes through the centerline of the spindle. On a lathe, this can be achieved by changing the cutting program. In machining centers, an adjustable stand or socket is required.
When making such adjustments, the user must ensure that the center height of the blade does not change. For lathe operations, this means that the top face of the insert must remain parallel to the machine's x-axis. For machining center applications, the top surface must be parallel to the direction in which the tool moves away from the spindle centerline.
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