Patent ID: 6773211
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: B23B,B23C,B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of producing a hole in a workpiece of fiber-reinforced composite material, wherein the hole has a longitudinal axis which passes through a predetermined point on the surface of the workpiece and is oriented in a determined direction relative the workpiece, said method comprising the steps of:providing a cutting tool having a longitudinal axis and a cutting diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the hole that is produced, said cutting tool including a shaft with a longitudinal axis and an axial cutting surface, at least one cutting edge disposed on said axial cutting surface and extending radially with respect to said longitudinal axis of the cutting tool, said axial cutting surface having at least one axially extending cutting edge having a cutting surface height less than the depth of the finished hole, a radial inner extent of said at least one cutting edge and said longitudinal tool axis defining a gap therebetween; positioning said cutting tool eccentrically relative to the longitudinal axis of the hole; and simultaneously machining the workpiece in both an axial and a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the hole, by simultaneously rotating said cutting tool around said longitudinal axis of said cutting tool, moving said cutting tool in an axial direction, and moving said cuffing tool eccentrically around the longitudinal axis of the hole.