Production of self-drilling screws

13 May.,2024

 

Production of self-drilling screws

In the first two parts of the self-drilling screw guide, we covered the different types of self-drilling screws as well as the different head styles and drive types.

In this part we would like to show you the basic procedures for screw manufacturing, take you on a journey into the production of EJOT and introduce you to the individual production phases using the example of the EJOT self-drilling screw JT3-18-5.5.

Two manufacturing processes for thread production

First of all, a distinction is made between two different manufacturing processes: machining and forming. Machining plays a rather subordinate role in industrial production It is primarily used for very large screws where the forming process has reached its limits.

Machining productionIn the case of machining (thread cutting), the blank is shaped by milling. The thread is also made this way. The main disadvantage here is the strength of the screws. Machining the blank destroys the grain flow of the raw material, which reduces the load-bearing capacity of the screw.
 

Forming production

Forming production (thread-cutting) is the most common type of screw production. Here, we can differentiate between between cold forming and hot forming. Most manufacturers use the process of cold forming, so we will take a closer look at this process, which we also use at EJOT.

The production phases of a bi-met self-drilling screw using the example of the JT3-18-5.5

At the beginning of the screw production, the starting material has the form of wire. This means the heat-treated steel or stainless steel, which is delivered coiled, hence the name coil. First, the wire is cut to the correct length and shaped in this stage as well. This process takes place in several forming stages depending on the head geometry.

The upper part of the bi-met self-drilling screw consists of stainless steel so that it offers an ideal corrosion protection and can be used in weather-exposed areas. The lower part, where the drill point is manufactured later on, is made of carbon steel. The advantage of this material compared to stainless steel is that it can be hardened and is thus able to penetrate steel structures without any difficulty.

​​​​​​​In the next production step, the two parts are welded together. The welding process creates the unique material combination of the bi-met self-drilling screws from the corrosion-resistant upper part made of stainless steel and a hardenable drill point area.

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Self-drilling anchor dowel - CA1148389A

The present invention is directed to a self-drilling anchor dowel including a drill head at its leading end, that is the end first inserted against the receiving material for forming a borehole, followed by a frusto-conically shaped clamping part which -tapers inwardly in the direction away from the drill head.
Conventional sel~-drilling anchor dowels which usually are anchored in concrete or rock, are comprised of an anchoring member in the form of a sheath or a tie rod which has a drill head ormed integrally on its leading end or the drill head is attached at the leading end. Aft~!r the dowel is drilled into the receiving material by imparting percussion to the anchoring member as well as rotating it, the anchoring member is spread in the borehole which it formed. A spreading element in the form of a truncated cone insert~d into the dowel or the mentioned cutting edge which is driven into an axial slot in the tie rod, serve to anchor the dowel in the borehole. Only percussive force is directed against the spreading element or the anchor ~ 20 ; member for effecting the spreading or anchoring process.
`~ There are considerable disadvantages involved in such dawels, for instance, the dowel is made up of many parts and the anchoring operation is involved. As an example, when the anchoring member is in the form of a sheath, it is neces-sary to drill the borehole with a rela-tively large transverse section resulting in a long drilling time. Furthermore, the setting or anchoring process is also time-consuming because the drilling and anchoring steps take place in separate work cycles. Moreover, a setting device which can be switched ~30 fxom one operating function to another is needed, because the . :

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drillin~ step requlres both rotational and percussive forces, whereas the spreading or anchoring step is effected only by percussive force. A significant functional disadvantage of such dowels is that they do not show any spreading effect under stress.
Self-drilling dowels for use with a support in mining are known and include an anchoring member for attach-ment into the receiving material with a shaft portion adjoining the anchoring member. The anchoring member is made up of a drill head with cutting edges at its leading end and a feed coil for removing the borings, as well as an adjoining clamping part which tapers conically inwardly toward the trailing end of the dowel.
To set such dowels, they are driven into the receiving material by a rotary motion with the borings formed as a part of the drilling operation passing from .
the cutting edges via the feed coil into the region of the clamping part. If the drilling direction is horizontal or vertically downwardly, then the borings remain between the dowel surface and the wall of the borehole. The borings are discharged out of the borehole when there is no longer any room remaining between the dowel and the walls of the ; borehole. When the entire anchoring member has penetrated into the receiving material, the dowel is rotated in the reverse direction. This reverse motion causes the borings to be compressed between the ~rusto-conical clamping part and the wall of the borehole so that the dowel is anchored.
Due to axial stressing, the dowel causes a continued compres-sion of the borings in the region of the clamping part so that the anchoring value of the dowel is further increased.

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A significant disadvantage of this known self-drilling anchor dowel is that it cannot be used in the vertically upward direction because the borings, after passage through the feed coill fall out of the borehole.
Anchoring the dowel, by compressing -the borings in the region of the clamping part, is thus not possible. Another disadvantage Gf this type of dowel is that when the direc-tion is reversedr an insufficient compression of the borings in the clamping part is accomplished. Only after there is considerable axial shifting as a result of axial stress, do the borings compress sufficliently along the clampiny part ~ to aford a useful anchoring value. Therefore, this self-; drilling dowel has problems concerning the anchoring safety.
Therefore, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a simple and universally settable self-driIling anchor dowel which is notable for the small drilling effort required, for the high anchoring values attained, for ;;~ the high anchorage safety, and the respreading effect which ~; can be achieved.
In accordance with the present invention, at the smaller diameter end of the frusto-conically shaped clamping part, a circular collar extends around the dowel. When the collar is present in the borehole formed by the dowel, it causes-a compressing action on the borings within the bore-hole. This collar has an outside diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of the drill head so that it forms a closure for the borehole.
The self-drilling dowel embodying the present invention is suitable for use in receiving materials such as concrete or rock. It can be provided with an external . ~
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or an internal thread rearwardly of the collar. To fi~ the dowel into the adapter or tool holder of a drilling device, it can be provided with a projection in the orm of a trun-cated cone at its rear or trailing end. A breaking section can be provided at the connection between the projection and the remainder of the dowel. The breaking section affords a separation of the projection when a predekermined torque is developed.
The self-drilling dowel is set by means of a percussion drill with the drill head cutting a borehole into the receiving material. During the drill1ng operation, the borings or material removed from the receiving material in forming the borehole, pass from the drill head into the region of ~:he frusto-conical clamping part with a large amount oE the borings flowing out of the borehole opening. As the drilling operation continues, the collar which can be constructed in the form of a superimposed ring, reaches the borehole opening and provides - a closure for the borehole. Any borings remaining within the ~ borehole or subsequently generated by the drill head are con-; 20 fined in the closed space between the clamping part ancl the borehole wall. ~As the collar continues to move into the borehole it compresses the captive borings. With an increasing degree of compression acting on the borings, the cutting power transmitted to the drill head is reduced with the entire percussive energy being used to compress the enclosed borings as the dowel continues to rotate. As the collar starts to , move into the borehole, the borings commence being compacted .~
into a solidly compressed body.

Due to the smooth surface of the clamping part, the contact surface of the borings with the clamping part , ~" ' , .

becomes equally smooth during the compression process with the friction between the dowel and the body of borings being smaller than the static friction betwePn the body of borings and the borehole wall. As a consequence, the body of borings does not rotate with the dowel as the dowel is being set.
Nevertheless, as ~he compression of the borings increases, an increasing torque is developed on the dowel. I a projection, connected with the dowel over the predetermined breaking section, is present at the trailing end, this increasing torque may result in the breaking off of the projection from the clowel.
In an appropriately constructed design of such a predetermined breaking section, the breaking moment acting on the dowel may serve as an indicator that a sufficient precompression of the borings has been achieved in the region around the clamping part.
During subsequent stressing of the self-drilling dowel, the dowel is pulled out of the borehole by a small axial distance, and the frusto-conical shape of the clamping part tends to provide additional compression on the body of the borings with a consequent increase in the dowel anchoring value. It is of great importance in this subsequent compressing action that the smooth surface contact between the clamping part and the body of borings is such that relative axial displacement is possible. During this respreading action, the collar remains within the borehole so that there is no possibility of escape for any portion of the body of borings.
It is particularly important in the selection of the cone angle or angle of taper of the clamping part, that the angle lies in the irreversible range, with the angle being in the range of 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 6~ for the above-mentioned receiving material.
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.1 To effect -the anchoring of the dowel with a limited amount of drilling, it is advantageous if the anchoring member is constructed as short as possible. In accordance with this feature of the invention, the clamping part follows immediately after the drill head. When the dowel is being set in softer receiving materials, such as low strength concrete, a deeper insertion of the dowel may be necessary so that an axially extending cylindrical region of appropriate length is provided between the trailing end of the clamping part and the collar.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, tha drill head has channels for conducting the borings in the rearward direction. Such channels are essentially axially directed and extend into the leading end of the clamping part.
Accordingly, the transport of the borings from the drill head into the region of the clamping part is aided and khe drilling operation is improved. As long as these channels do not weaken the outlet cross-section of the drill head by more than 20, the drill head is supported sufficiently at the body of borings in the case of stress. For the sake of simpllcity, the channels can be formed as flat areas or as helically extending slots or grooves.
A further increase in the anchoring value of these~
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dowels can be attained if, based on another feature of the invention, the clamping part is coated with an adhesive acti-vated by pressure or heat. Activation of the adhesive results during the compression phase of the setting process, so that in addition to the mechanical anchorage of the dowel .~
effected by the body of borings, a chemical anohorage is achieved by means of adhering the dowel or the hody of borings , ~ ~ - 6 - ~

with the borehole wall.
If the dowel is not coated with adhesive, it i5 also possible as a simple measure to introduce water into the borehole during the setting process so that any residual amounts of unreacted cement present in the borings, can be utilized and lead to the subsequent chemical hardening of the body of borings. In place of water, an adhesive may be introduced into the borehole which causes the body of borings to set.
The ~arious features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and speciic objects attained by iks use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described pre~erred embodiments of the invention.
IN THE DRAWINGS.
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Figure 1 is an elevational view partly in section ; 20 of a self-drilling anchor dowel, embodying the present inven-tion, being drilled into a receiving material;
~;~ Figure 2 is an elevational view, similar to Figure 1, with the dowel inserted into the receiving material for a sufficient axial length so that the compression stage is com-menced, and, ; Figure 3 is an elevational view similax to Figures 1 and 2 showing the self-drilling anchor dowel fully inserted ~ into the receiving material and being stressed by an applied 1~ force.
I 30 In the drawing a self-drilling anchor dowel is shown , :

as it is belng inserted into a receivlng material 11, such as ` -~ .

concrete, and when it has been completely inserted and anchored for securing an object 15 on the surface of the receiving material. As shown in Figure 1, the self-drilling anchor dowel comprises an axially elongated anchoring member 1, having a leading end and a trailing end with the leading end being inserted first against the receiving material 11 so that it commences forming a borehole 12~ Adjacent the trailing end of the anchoring member 1 is an axially extending threaded stem 2 with a truncated cone-shaped projection 3 extending axially from the trailing end of the threaded stem.
At its leading end, the anchoring member has a drill head 4 followed by an axially extending clamping part 5.
Clamping part 5 is frusto-conically shaped wi.th its surfaces ~apering inwardly in the direction toward the txailing end of the anc~oring member. At the smaller diameter end of the clamping part, a collar 6 extends around the anchoring member pro~ecting laterally outwardly ~rom the smaller diameter end of the clamping part 5. At the leading end of the anchoring member 1, cutting edges 7 are ground on the drill head 4.
, AxiAlly extending conducting channels are formed rearwardly from the cutting edges 7 in the form of grooves 8 for carrying the borings formed during the drilling operatlon away from the ; drill head 4 and out of the borehola 12. As can be seen in the drawing, the grooves 8 extend for a short distance from the drill head 4 along the outside surface of the clamping ; part 5, ~, The clamping part 5 has an angle of taper of its frusto-conical portion in the range of 1 to 10 and preferably in the range of 2 to 6.
During the first portion of the drilling operation, as shown in Figure 1, both rotational and percussive driving ~:

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Eorce are transmitted -to -the self-drilling dowel. The direction of the arrows in Figures 1 and 2 indicates the driving force transmit-ted from a drilling device, not shown, to the anchoring member 1. The projection 3 on the trailing end of the dowel is fitted into an adapter 9 o the drilling device, not shown. The projection is held within the adapter 9 so that both the rotational and per-cussive forces are transmitted to the anchoring member 1.
As the drilling operation proceeds, the cutting edges 7 on the drill head 4 cut a borehole 12 into the receiving material 11 from its surface. The borings, that is the material removed from the receiving material by the cutting head in forming the borehole, are conveyed away from the drill head ~ via the grooYeS 8 into the open space in the borehole between its wall and the juxtaposed surace of the clamping part 5. As the drill head 4 cuts into the receiving material, the borings are forced out of the bore-hole 12, (note the borinys on the surface of the receiving material in Figures 1 and 2).
~20 After the drilling operation has advanced for the axial length of the drill head 4 and the clamping part 5, the ~ollar 6 reaches the surface of the receiving material and starts to enter the opening in~o the borehole 12, (note Figure 2). The outside diameter of the collar 6 is the same as the outside diameter of the dri].l head 4 so that the collar 6 forms a closure for the opening into the borehole 12. As a resu}t, the borings can no longer ~e displaced out of the borehole and they are ratained in the axial region of the "
clamping part between the rusto-conical tapering surface of : ~3Q the clamping part and the wall of the borehole I2. The , g i enclosed ~orings are compressed as the collar 6 advances into the borehole during the continued advance of the sel-drilling dowel into the receiving material under both rotational and percussive force.
During the continued drilling operation, the drill head 4 continues to produce more borings. With the increasing compaction or density of the borings, however, the continued movement of the dowel into the receiving matexial is hindered causing a decrease in the drilling power. The percussive force transmitted to the self-drilling dowel finally only serves to compress the borings held within the borehole 12. Accordingly, a solid, essentially tubular shaped body o borings 13 forms in the borehole causing a iamming or anchoring of the clamping part 5~ A
predetermined breaking section 14 is provided toward the trailing end o~ the dow~l between the threaded stem 2 and ; the projection 3. This breaking section 14 has a predeter-mined breaking point so that when the tubular body of borings 13 seiæes the clamping part in the anchoring action, a torque is developed which causes the predetermined breaking section to rupture, separating the projection 3 ~rom the remainder of the dowel. At this point, the self-drilling dowel is set in .`: : ~ the~position as shown.in Figure 3.
In Figure 3, the self-drilling dowel is shown with the projection 3 removed and the clamping part 5 anchored within the borehole 12 by the compacted body of borings 13.
An object 15 is fitted over the portion of the anchoring ; men~er extending out of the receiving material and it is ~30 secured by a disc 16 and a nut 17. As the nut 17 is tightened, ;~ .the self-drilling dowel is pulled slightly in the direction :

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B~89 oF the arrow in Figure 3. Because of the tapered configur-ation of the clamping part 5, this tendency to pull the dowel out of the borehole 12 provides further compression of the body of borings 13, whereby the anchoring value of the dowel in the receiving material 11 is increased. In this way anchoring forces are uniformly transferred from ~; the clamping part 5 over the compacted solid body of borings 13 to a large area of the borehole wall. In this way partial pressure peaks are minimised or eliminated. Furthermore, when the force indicated by the arrow in Figure 3 tends to`
pull the dowel out of the borehole, the collar 6 continues to form a closure of the borehole 12 so that the ~ody of borings 13 cannot be displaced out of the borehole either partially or as a whole.
By mixing water or an adhesive before or during the compression stage illustrated in ~igure 2, a chemical hardening efect can be added to the body o borings 13~
As a result, there is a combined mechanical and chemical holding action securing the dowel. Further, this efect can also be achieved if the clamping part 5 is coated with an adhesive which can be activated by pressure or heat during ~ , the drilling operation~
-~ ~ Having described what is believed to be the best mode by which the invention may be performed, it will be seen that the invention may be particularly defined as follows:
; Self-drilling dowel comprising an axially elongated anchoring men~er having a first leading end and a second trailing end with the irst end being placed against the ~- ~ receiving material so that the dowel can form a borehole 3~ into the receiving materiall a drilling head formed at the ~ :

first end of said anchoring member, an axially extending clamping part extending between said first end and second end with the clamping part being frusto-conically shaped and tapering inwardly toward the second end, a circular collar located between the smaller diameter end of said clamping part and the second end of said anchoring member said circular collar projecting laterally outwardly from the small diameter end of the clamping part, and said collar having an outside diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of said drill head whereby said collar has an outside diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the borehole formed by said drill head.
While specific embodiments of the invention have bean shown and described in detail to illustrate the applicate of the invention principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without depar-ting from such principles.

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For more information, please visit R Thread Self Drilling Anchor Bars.