Mollart Engineering extends service to include 0.5 mm by 50 mm deep hole drilling capability

The service, which, the company says, stretches the current boundaries of hole machining technology, can be applied to materials as diverse as plastics through to challenging materials such as titanium and high alloy steels. Explains managing director Guy Mollart: "To achieve this level of expertise, we drew together our machine tool building, deep hole tooling development, materials knowledge and application skills so we are able to provide a fast turn-around for customers." Micro deep hole drilling is challenging, but while there are other processes available for producing small precision holes, such as laser drilling and electro-discharge machining (EDM), each has a distinct disadvantage to drilling, offers the company. Drilling delivers a higher level of accuracy for roundness, straightness and concentricity, while problems such as molten materials at the break-out position are eliminated. Drilling is also a far quicker process, but needs precise tool and machine setting plus the monitoring that Mollart equipment can provide to avoid tool breakage and hole wander. Mollart also has the in-house capability to add value through other processes, such as turning, milling, grinding and honing, as well as being able to provide ancillary processes, such as heat treatment, plating and crack detection, which all combine to offer a true 'one stop' service to customers. Image: Special-purpose volume production – micro-drilling nozzle valves with overhead and underside spindles (8 holes per cycle) developed by Mollart Engineering