What Is a Tabletop Drilling Machine?
A tabletop drilling machine is a small drilling machine installed on a tabletop.
Holes are drilled perpendicular to the material using drill bits attached to a spindle rotated by a motor. Tabletop drilling machines are used for manual drilling and the material is fixed to the table.
They are easy to carry and small enough to work on a tabletop without taking up too much space, effectively improving work efficiency. However, it is necessary to select the appropriate drill bit and set the appropriate feed rate according to the material.
Uses of Tabletop Drilling Machines
The following are some of the typical uses of tabletop drilling machines:
- Drilling
Drilling of metal parts, furniture parts, etc., drilling of wood and plastic - Tap (Threaded Hole Production)
Production of screw holes in metal and aluminum plates, etc. - Groove Carving and Surface Finishing
Groove carving and groove expansion on metal and plastic parts, surface finishing of parts by cutting and polishing - Cutting of Metals and Plastics
Cutting of metal and rustic bars and plates, shaping of materials - Grinding and Polishing
Grinding and polishing metal and plastic parts, surface finishing using grinding wheels and abrasive tools - Microscopic Processing of Electronic Components, Etc.
Drilling holes in circuit boards for mounting and removal of electronic components
Principle of Tabletop Drilling Machines
The process of drilling holes with a tabletop drilling machine is as follows:
1. Fixing of Materials
Place the material in the exact position on the tabletop drilling machine table. Secure the material using a clamp or vise to minimize misalignment and movement. Unsecured material is dangerous because it can cause problems with machining accuracy and safety.
2. Drill Bit Selection
Select the appropriate drill bit for the hole size and material. Drill bits come in different diameters and types and should be selected to suit the material to be processed.
3. Installation of Drill Bit
Install the selected drill bit into the drill chuck of the drilling machine. It must be properly tightened during installation to ensure that the drill bit is safely secured.
4. Setting of Machining Conditions
Set the appropriate rotational speed and feed rate according to the type of material to be processed and the size of the drill bit. Drilling machines are equipped with dials and levers for adjusting rotational and feed speeds.
5. Start of Drilling
After setting the processing conditions, operate the switch or lever to turn on the motor and rotate the drill bit. After lightly placing the tip of the drill bit against the surface of the material, begin lowering the drill bit while applying pressure little by little.
6. Hole Machining
A hole is drilled while advancing the drill bit little by little, and when a certain depth is reached, the drill bit is pulled up to remove chips. This prevents the accumulation of chips and chips and ensures accurate drilling.
7. End of Drilling
When the drilling is complete, stop the drilling machine motor and remove the drill bit from the material while slowly pulling it up. When pulling up the drill bit, use the drilling machine’s moving handle or crank to move the drill bit to the exact position.
8. Material Removal
Remove the material from the drilling machine after drilling is complete. Loosen the clamps and vices and remove the material while handling it carefully. Care must be taken when removing the material to prevent injury or damage.
Structure of Tabletop Drilling Machine
The basic structure of a tabletop drilling machine consists of the following elements:
1. Base
The base of a tabletop drilling machine is the foundation of the machine. The base is made of cast iron or steel and is the part that ensures the overall stability of the drilling machine.
2. Spindle
The spindle is the central axis of the drilling machine and holds and rotates the drill bit. The spindle is connected to a motor, which transmits the rotational force. It also has a mechanism (quill) that can be moved up and down to adjust the position of the drill bit.
3. Drill Chuck
The drill chuck is attached to the spindle and secures the drill bit. Drill chucks generally come in keyed or keyless chuck form and tighten and secure the appropriate size drill bit.
4. Quill
The quill is the component that controls the vertical movement of the spindle and the drill bit. There are two types of quill: manual and electric. In the manual type, the quill is rotated and moved up and down to adjust the depth of the drill bit, while in the electric type, the quill is automatically moved up and down by a motor.
5. Table
The table is a flat surface on which to place the material and is positioned under the drill bit. The table can be moved up, down, left, and right, allowing precise positioning of the material. Clamps or vises are used to secure the material on the table.
6. Motor
The motor is the power source of the tabletop drilling machine and rotates the spindle. Generally, electric motors are used, and the performance of the motor determines the rotational speed and torque, which affect the efficiency and accuracy of the machining operation.
Other Information About Tabletop Drilling Machines
1. Advantages of Tabletop Drilling Machines
Tabletop drilling machines are small enough to be used where work space is limited and lightweight enough to be easily moved and stored. Another advantage is that they are easy to handle, even for beginners. They are relatively simple to operate and suitable for basic drilling. Another advantage is that the machine is installed on a workbench, so the workpiece can be easily secured.
In addition, tabletop drilling machines are usually equipped with a drill chuck that can accommodate various sizes of drill bits to drill holes of different sizes. By selecting drill bits according to the material and processing purpose, tabletop drilling machines can work with a wide range of materials, including wood, plastic, and metal.
2. Disadvantages of Tabletop Drilling Machines
Tabletop drilling machines are small and cannot process large workpieces. Because of the limited working space, it is difficult to fix large materials or long workpieces, and the dimensions of the workpiece are restricted.
It is mainly suited for light or precision work, but not for drilling large quantities of holes or processing heavy materials. It is limited for long-time continuous use or high-load work. Because they specialize in working within a limited machining envelope, other types of machine tools may be required when machining complex shapes or angles.
Some tabletop drilling machines have limited motor power. They are limited in their ability to machine at high speeds and high loads, and more powerful machine tools must be selected when speed and power are required.
3. Operating Method of Tabletop Drilling Machines
Manual
The manual type requires the operator to adjust the machining accuracy manually by moving the spindle up and down, and moving the table by hand. The operator can adjust the height of the quill and table according to the size and shape of the material to be machined.
While the manual type offers greater flexibility in adjusting to the material to be machined, it also requires more time for machining, resulting in lower productivity.
Automatic (Door, Gun, Etc.)
The automatic type is capable of high-precision machining because the quill and table are operated automatically. All the operator has to do is set the material and the machine automatically processes it. The automatic type is expensive because it requires advanced control technology. The automatic type is suitable for mass production and is best suited when high-precision machining is required.