TEM INC tooling engineering and machining       

FLOW DRILLING

Flowdrilling is a process by which the Flowdrill comes into contact with the material using relatively high axial pressure and rotational speed.  The generated heat makes the material soft and malleable enough to be formed and perforated.  As the Flowdrill pushes into the material, some of the displaced material forms a collar around the upper surface of the workpiece.  The rest of the material forms a bushing in the lower surface of the piece.  All this happens within a matter of seconds.  The resulting collar and bushing can be up to 3 times the original material thickness.

 

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The process does not disturb the material’s internal structure.  As a result, the formed bushing is remarkably strong and can be used for bearing sleeves or, when threaded in a separate process, can provide high torque threaded surfaces with very high pull out strength specifications. 

 

• The Flowdrill process can be used in any application where the material thickness does not provide support for a threaded surface or a sleeve bearing application.  Applications include:

   

  Tanks:                          Pressure tanks, water tanks, fire extinguishers

  Automotive:                 Exhaust systems, fuel lines, steering columns, frames, hinges

  HVAC:                          Cooling systems, manifolds, pipe connections

  General:                      Welded, inserted or pressed nut replacement; sleeve bearing or rotational support; pipe connections; brazed or welded connections

  Metal Furniture:           Casters and levelers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, office furniture, institutional furniture

   

  *Flowdrill is a registered trademark of Flowdrill Inc.