Centering drill on cylinder
Centering drill on cylinder
(OP)
I need to drill a hole at a 45 degree angle, normal to the axis of a cylinder. The angle is fixed as well as the cylinder, the drill unit can be positioned in X and Y. Is there an easy way to ABSOLUTELY center the unit on the cylinder? I can't just drill a hole and check center because I have to assume if drill is not on center it is walking off (no guide bushing). Thanks for any input.





RE: Centering drill on cylinder
1) Do you have access to a milling machine?
2) What type of cylinder are you working with, please describe it and what do you mean by that the cylinder is fixed?
3) Please describe your "drilling unit". Is it a drill press?
4) If your drill unit can be positioned in X and Y does it have a dial scale or digital readout so that you know your location?
RE: Centering drill on cylinder
2) The cylinder is just a blank (app. 1-1/8" dia) loaded in the chuck of a rotary transfer machine
3) The drilling unit is just one of the non-CNC machining units on the machine
4) There is no scale or readout, I just move the unit with test indicators
RE: Centering drill on cylinder
1.set-up your cylinder at the disered angle
2.find the center
3.perform a spot face using an end-mill
4.drill your hole
RE: Centering drill on cylinder
RE: Centering drill on cylinder
I concur with stefbel that a milling end-cutter should be used for the start of this operation.
RE: Centering drill on cylinder
Again, I may not being following everything that is going on here. But based on our known information that you only have one drilling unit non-CNC that only has X and Y positioning, we have to assume that you are limited to one step in drilling your hole. I do not understand fully what ve7brz is saying but he is on the right track as far as locating to the cylinder with a guide. "IF" your drilling unit can be rotated around to a 45º angle relative to the position of the cylinder than I can only see one way of drilling while minimizing drill deflection.
I would have you machine shop fabricate a two piece spring loaded, locating drill guide. This device would be fixed to the drill unit and move along the z-axis with the drill bit. I feel like ve7brz locating to the cylinder is the only way to go. Depending on how design creative you team gets you could even have replaceable drill bushings as part of your design. Down and dirty the springs allow you to delay the engagement of drill to the surface. 1) The face of the guide would engage to the cylinder wall for location. 2) The drill unit would continue to advance compressing the springs and moving the drill through the bushing guide to make contact to the cylinder surface and drill the hole. The only kicker here is not knowing how repeatable the positioning of the cylinder to the drilling unit is. This of course will drive the design styling of engagement face, drill deflection and bushing wear.