American Heller Corporation the Deep Hole Drilling Specialists

American Heller Corporation - Converted Deep Hole Drilling Machines

Overview

Dedicated Drilling Machines

Converted Conventional Machines

Even though dedicated deep hole drilling machines are more suitable for deep hole drilling, it is possible to convert conventional machines such as lathes and horizontal boring machines. American Heller Corporation has successfully converted Standard Lathes, Turret Lathes and Horizontal Boring and Milling Machines. Following are some examples of what is possible.

Standard Lathe The conversion of a standard lathe is probably the most common conversion since lathes can be found in virturally every machine shop. One example is a conversion for the machining of hydraulic cylinders.
	Stationary Tool / Rotating Workpiece For this conversion the workpiece is held in a latern mounted to the spindle. The Lathe's cross slide is modifed to act as a boring slide/carriage to hold the drilling tool. Chip exhaust in this example is flush foward though the workpiece and spindle. Coolant is introduced via. a BTA Oil Pressure Head.
Rotating Tool / Stationary Workpiece In this conversion the boring bar is held in a bar clamp mounted to the headstock spindle while the tailstock is replaced by a upright support. Again chip exhaust is flush forwards through the workpiece and spindle while a BTA Oil Pressure Head introduces coolant to the cutting edge.
Above are just two different examples for machining cylinders on a converted lathe. Other options are available for machining solid workpieces where the chips are exhausted back through the boring bar. Additionally both examples use a BTA or single tube system (STS) and can be modified to use a double tube system (DTS). Advantages and disadvantages of each system can be found on our Drilling Information page.
Horizontal Boring and Milling Machines Horizontal Boring and Milling Machines can also be converted to deep hole drilling machines. In the figures to the right a Split Cap Boring Bar Driver is mounted to the machines spindle and a BTA Oil Pressure Head is mounted to the under arm support. In this example a double tube system may be used to eliminate the pressure head but a rotating boring bar guide will be required to stabalize the boring bar. Regardless of the system choosen (BTA/STS or DTS) the chips are exhausted through the boring bar and spindle.
Turret Lathe Conversions A Turret Lathe may also be used for deep hole drilling. For this example the boring bar is mounted to the turret via. a clamping shank with a pipe tap for coolant. The coolant is then forced through the boring bar to the tools cutting edge. In this example chip and coolant exhaust is external. The chips and coolant are then seperated and the coolant is returned to the main tank.
For more infomation on any of these machines or to see if your current machine is capable of deep hole drilling please call 1-586-677-2300 or email us.

Dedicated Machines