Abstract: The present invention is concerned with twist drills for drilling of composite materials such as carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) and glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP). The present invention proposes that a twist drill (2) is provided with a variable helix having a defined start and finish helix angle, in combination with primary and secondary relief angles such that the drill (2) is adapted to minimise thrust force, particularly when used for drilling fibre-containing composite materials and especially for hand drilling. Start and finish helix angles of 50° and 10°; 50° and 30°; and 30° and 10° have been shown to provide excellent cutting performance and exit hole quality. A large secondary chisel edge angle (24) has also been found to contribute to excellent performance with composite materials, including stack machining.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with twist drills for drilling of composite materials such as carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) and glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP). The present invention proposes that a twist drill (2) is provided with a variable helix having a defined start and finish helix angle, in combination with primary and secondary relief angles such that the drill (2) is adapted to minimise thrust force, particularly when used for drilling fibre—containing composite materials and especially for hand drilling. Start and finish helix angles of 50° and 10°; 50° and 30°; and 30° and 10° have been shown to provide excellent cutting performance and exit hole quality. A large secondary chisel edge angle (24) has also been found to contribute to excellent performance with composite materials, including stack machining.