Preventing Collapse in Thin Wall Tube Drilling
Thin wall tube collapse during deep hole drilling is a problem I have encountered on hydraulic cylinders, gun barrels, and structural tubing. The cutting force pushes the tube wall inward, the drill binds in the reduced diameter, and both the tube and the tool are damaged. Prevention requires managing the forces on the wall and providing adequate support. Problem Description A thin wall tube collapses when the radial component of the cutting force exceeds the buckling strength of the wall section. The tube wall deflects inward under the drill tip, and the bore diameter effectively shrinks. The drill then jams because the bore is smaller than the drill head. ...