Tieflochbearbeitung

Tieflochbearbeitung, often abbreviated as TBT or deep hole machining in English, refers to the manufacturing process used to create holes with a very large depth-to-diameter ratio. These holes are typically deeper than their diameter is wide, often by a significant margin. This specialized machining technique is crucial for producing components found in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, energy, and medical.

The primary challenge in deep hole machining lies in the effective removal of chips and the efficient dissipation of heat generated during the cutting process. Standard drilling methods are often inadequate due to these factors, which can lead to tool breakage, poor surface finish, and inaccurate hole dimensions. To overcome these issues, specialized machines and tooling are employed.

Common methods within deep hole machining include gun drilling, trepanning, and boring. Gun drilling uses a rotating tool with internal flutes and a cutting head designed to lubricate and cool the cutting edge while guiding chips out of the hole. Trepanning involves using a hollow-ended cutting tool that cuts an annular groove, allowing a solid core to be removed from the center of the hole. Deep hole boring is used to enlarge existing holes or to achieve very precise diameters and surface finishes in deep bores.

The materials that can be processed using deep hole machining range from common steels and aluminum alloys to exotic materials like titanium, Inconel, and hardened steels. Precision, surface quality, and the ability to produce complex internal geometries are key benefits of this manufacturing process.