Abstract: A combination cutting and burnishing orbital drilling tool may include an elongate tool body including a cutting end and extending along a longitudinal axis. The tool body may include a burnishing portion spaced from the cutting end and configured to induce residual stress in a side wall of a hole without removing material. The tool body may further include a cutting portion interposed between the cutting end and the burnishing portion. The cutting portion may be configured to remove material from a workpiece, thereby creating the hole, during an orbital drilling process.

Abstract: Provided are methods for verifying sequences of different operations and controlling processing order in accordance with these sequences. Also provided are apparatuses for executing these methods. A method may involve determining a current configuration of an indicator positioned on a part. This operation may be performed using a tester coupled to a processing portion. If the current configuration of the indicator corresponds to this particular processing portion, then the part is processed using this processing portion. The indicator is then changed to a new configuration corresponding to another processing portion for performing the next operation in the sequence. The processing is only performed if the indicator has the current configuration corresponding to the processing portion. Otherwise, the operation is not performed, and the current configuration of the indicator not changed retained. The indicator may be a mechanical device or an electronic device.

Abstract: A cutting tool for use in an orbital drilling machine may include a cutting-tool body having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of cutting edges supported on the cutting-tool body and distributed circumferentially around the cutting-tool body. Each cutting edge may extend along the longitudinal axis in a respective helix. A circumferential spacing may be defined between each pair of circumferentially adjacent cutting edges for each position of the longitudinal axis along which the cutting edges extend. The circumferential spacing between at least first and second cutting edges of the plurality of cutting edges may be different at spaced-apart first and second positions along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing and controlling the sequence of steps in a multi-step machining process utilizing a plurality of drilling units, where each drilling unit is configured to perform at least one step of the multi-step machining process. Air pressure sensors in each drilling unit measure air pressures at the surface of a workpiece where the cutting tool of the drilling unit is engaged, which measured air pressures indicate air flow at the surface. These air flows in turn indicate the state of the machining at the surface of the workpiece, and based on the state of the machining, a machine control system will determine whether a drilling unit can perform its particular machining operation in the proper sequence on the workpiece.

Abstract: A combination cutting and burnishing orbital drilling tool may include an elongate tool body including a cutting end and extending along a longitudinal axis. The tool body may include a burnishing portion spaced from the cutting end and configured to induce residual stress in a side wall of a hole without removing material. The tool body may further include a cutting portion interposed between the cutting end and the burnishing portion. The cutting portion may be configured to remove material from a workpiece, thereby creating the hole, during an orbital drilling process.

Abstract: Provided are methods for verifying sequences of different operations and controlling processing order in accordance with these sequences. Also provided are apparatuses for executing these methods. A method may involve determining a current configuration of an indicator positioned on a part. This operation may be performed using a tester coupled to a processing portion. If the current configuration of the indicator corresponds to this particular processing portion, then the part is processed using this processing portion. The indicator is then changed to a new configuration corresponding to another processing portion for performing the next operation in the sequence. The processing is only performed if the indicator has the current configuration corresponding to the processing portion. Otherwise, the operation is not performed, and the current configuration of the indicator not changed retained. The indicator may be a mechanical device or an electronic device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing and controlling the sequence of steps in a multi-step machining process utilizing a plurality of drilling units, where each drilling unit is configured to perform at least one step of the multi-step machining process. Air pressure sensors in each drilling unit measure air pressures at the surface of a workpiece where the cutting tool of the drilling unit is engaged, which measured air pressures indicate air flow at the surface. These air flows in turn indicate the state of the machining at the surface of the workpiece, and based on the state of the machining, a machine control system will determine whether a drilling unit can perform its particular machining operation in the proper sequence on the workpiece.

Abstract: A cutting tool for use in an orbital drilling machine may include a cutting-tool body having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of cutting edges supported on the cutting-tool body and distributed circumferentially around the cutting-tool body. Each cutting edge may extend along the longitudinal axis in a respective helix. A circumferential spacing may be defined between each pair of circumferentially adjacent cutting edges for each position of the longitudinal axis along which the cutting edges extend. The circumferential spacing between at least first and second cutting edges of the plurality of cutting edges may be different at spaced-apart first and second positions along the longitudinal axis.