A Gun Drill is a specialized type of drilling tool designed for creating deep and precise holes, originally developed for the purpose of drilling gun barrels — hence its name. It finds widespread applications across various industries such as automotive, aerospace, mold making, and medical devices.
Structure
Advantages
Advantages of Gun Drills
Excellent Deep Hole Capability
Gun drills have the ability to drill holes over 100 times their diameter (D), making them ideal for deep, narrow, and precise bores.
High Hole Accuracy
Gun drills offer superior straightness, roundness, and coaxiality, typically achieving IT8–IT10 tolerance levels.
Smooth Surface Finish
With surface roughness that can reach Ra 0.4–1.6 µm, gun drills reduce the need for additional processes like reaming or honing.
Efficient Chip Removal
Gun drills feature internal high-pressure coolant that flushes chips out smoothly, preventing clogging and overheating.
Stable and Low Vibration Drilling
Guide pads on gun drills stabilize the tool and reduce tool deflection, making them suitable for long and precise holes.
Long Tool Life (with proper use)
When operated at correct speeds, feeds, and with proper coolant, gun drills can maintain sharpness over long runs. They are available in carbide-tipped or solid carbide options.
Applicable to Various Materials
Gun drills are effective on a wide range of materials including steel, aluminum, copper, titanium, plastic, and other metals or composites.
Automation-Friendly
Gun drills can be used in CNC machines, gun drilling machines, or modified lathes, making them suitable for automated processes.
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Gun drills are essential in various industries where deep, straight, and precise holes are necessary. They find usage in:
Gun barrels: The original and primary application of gun drills that demand highly straight and precise bores.
Gun drills are employed in engine components like crankshafts, camshafts, and connecting rods. They also play a role in fuel system parts such as injectors, valve bodies, and oil passages, as well as in transmission and hydraulic systems to create precision deep bores.
They are utilized in producing hydraulic manifolds, landing gear components, and other structural elements that require lightweight deep bores.
In mold and die making, gun drills are used for creating cooling channels in injection molds or die-casting tools to ensure accurate and efficient heat dissipation.
They are instrumental in crafting bone drills, cannulas, and needle tubes that demand precision small-diameter, high-quality holes.
Gun drills play a crucial role in developing valve bodies, cylinders, and pressure blocks that require precise axial bores for fluid control.
Gun drills are utilized in general manufacturing for creating deep, accurate, and clean holes in various materials like metal, plastic, and composites for different components.