Diamond drill bits use industrial diamonds to penetrate hard materials like glass, metal, and stone. They can be custom-made and lubrication is often necessary. Different types of bits are available for specific applications and proper speed and pressure should be used.
A diamond drill bit is a drill bit made with industrial diamonds. Diamond is one of the hardest known materials on Earth and can be harnessed in a bit to ensure that the bit successfully penetrates very hard materials. This type of bit is used in a wide variety of environments, from a jeweler’s bench to an oil field. Many drill manufacturers also make diamond drill bits and can produce custom drill bits upon request for specific jobs.
A typical drill bit works by biting into the surface to be drilled with a sharp point. Once the drill has taken hold, the sharp edge of the bit pulls it through the surface to create a hole. With materials like glass, tile, stone, metal, and ceramic, the material is too hard and too smooth for a conventional piece. Instead, the bit will generate friction as it rotates against the surface, heating the surface and potentially causing it to crack. Also, the bit can fail due to metal fatigue caused by deformation and friction.
In a diamond drill bit, the diamonds set in the bit provide the “bite” the bit needs to drill. Diamonds can be attached to the surface or integrated into the tip by a sintering process. Sintered bits are sometimes preferred because as the diamonds and bit material are worn away, new diamonds are discovered. This prolongs bit life and eliminates the need to change bits while drilling when machining very hard materials or when the hole is extremely deep.
In a diamond ring, the tip consists of a hollow tube, with diamonds along one end. Diamonds can also go up the pipe. This type of bit is preferred for large holes and may include a stabilizer, an anchor in the center of the bit that helps hold it in place. Blunt point diamond drill bits, used for small holes, have a tip covered in diamonds so that the tip can penetrate.
Lubrication such as oil or water is sometimes required with a diamond drill bit, especially when used on hard materials. Lubrication reduces friction, reducing the risk of breaking the bit or the material it is drilling. Especially when the diamonds themselves are being drilled, as in the process of preparing a diamond for use in jewelry, lubricant is crucial.
Various types of bits are available for specific applications. When using a diamond drill bit, operators should be careful to use the most appropriate speed and pressure for the application. Drill manufacturers often publish tables with the types and sizes of diamond drill bits they recommend, along with pressure and speed recommendations.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
