We offer trepanning machining on alloys and other materials. Trepanning machining is the process of deep hole drilling which, unlike gundrilling, leaves the core of the material intact and eligible for reuse.

Gundrilling is a deep hole drilling process that uses a long, thin cutting tool to produce holes in metal at high depth-to-diameter ratios.

Some of the disadvantages of this method of deep hole drilling is that it leaves behind burrs and shavings in the hole. Also, precision is required to keep the drill shaft properly balanced to ensure that the hole is drilled on center all the way through.

Trepanning machining, on the other hand, is often considered a far superior method for drilling deep holes in metal, including aluminum alloys.

As explained by one specialty tool manufacturer,

“Trepanning tools are used to drill holes into a solid material. The difference from other drilling methods [is that] trepanning leaves the solid core it drills out of the middle of the hole. Other methods usually leave chips when drilling. Trepanning does not.

This method of drilling can create a larger diameter hole with less power than other forms of solid drilling. In addition, the core left over is often used in other applications as well.”

The Purpose of Trepanning Machining

Trepanning machining for industrial purposes is a deep hole drilling process that was developed approximately 65 years ago. Prior to this application, trepanning was largely known in a medical sense, primarily as a surgical process in which a hole is drilled or scraped into the human skull.

When a project requires larger holes, which necessitates the removal of larger amounts of material, trepanning machining is considered the best option.

Also, when a project requires working with expensive materials such as titanium, another advantage is that the user will still have a solid core of the material remaining, which can then be used for other projects.

One tooling resource notes that,

“Trepanning is commonly used for such things as weight reduction in finished parts, clearance, fluid flow, work cavities, machining blanks, piston and cylinder features, and seals.”

Trepanning machining is commonly used for applications in the following industries:

• Oil and Gas
• Aerospace and Defense
• Machinery and Heavy Equipment
• Manufacturing and Rebuild
• Metals Production and Distribution

The primary purpose for trepanning machining is to produce holes that are required for:

• Finished Parts for Weight Reduction
• Clearance or Fluid Flow
• Working Cavities and Machining Blanks
• Pistons, Cylinders, and Seals

The Benefits of Trepanning Machining

Trepanning machining is a precision process and, as such, can be used in many applications where holes may be required in components.

And, as mentioned previously, it is an advantageous process when there is insufficient or limited horsepower that is needed to drive solid drilling tools as with gundrilling, for example.

In addition, trepanning machining is highly recommended for applications that require a through hole or an extensively long design. This makes it ideal for the requirements of deep hole drilling, honing, and turning of holes of up to three feet long in some cases.

The tools can also be used to narrow the diameter of metal bars or rods, as well as create precision, circular grooves in material.

Another benefit is that trepanning machining can be much more economical and cost-effective than other processes. For example, it reduces the material waste by avoiding the reduction of core material to metal shavings and coarse metal chippings. 

Opting for trepanning machining also means the use of less expensive boring tips and tooling, as well as utilizing much less energy, machine, and operator time.

Consequently, it can be argued that trepanning machining reduces the use of energy resources and lowers tool costs, while allowing end users to make the best and most efficient use of the core material by creating trepanned slugs that can be reused for additional projects.

Your Source for Aerospace Metals Products

AAA Air Support is a manufacturer and stocking distributor of quality raw materials for the Aerospace Industry including roll form stringers and extruded parts, as well many other aluminum, steel and titanium aviation and aerospace products. 

In addition, we provide a full range precision grinding services. Our state-of-the-art grinding machines ensure consistent quality production.

Whether you need 100 feet of an aluminum extrusion product, a square foot of titanium, or just a few inches of stainless-steel tubing, AAA Air Support promises to always ship out your order quickly, correct, and efficiently.

Our primary goal is to provide your company with all the materials to complete that project, make the repair, and get that airplane back in the air in challenging AOG situations.

Welcome to including the AAA Air Support Family and thank you for choosing us. As we respectfully ask all our customers, “How may we be of service?”