Method and apparatus for non-rotary holemaking by means of controlled fracturing

A multi-axis holemaking machine for producing a though-hole using controlled fracturing comprising:

• a base section for supporting a workpiece;
• a bridge section for holding at least one machine tool;
• and
• wherein the multi-axis machine creates a hole in a non-metallic material using a non-rotary machining process comprising the steps of:
• fixturing a workpiece to a table of a non-rotary holemaking machine tool such that no die is used;
• fixturing the cutting tool to the column of the machine tool;
• positioning a face of the cutting tool perpendicular to a centerline of a proposed hole;
• approaching the surface of the workpiece with the cutting tool to a predetermined clearance level;
• providing a force of at least 20,000 lbs/sq-in to create the proposed hole of a desired size and shape at the predetermined clearance level;
• driving the cutting tool into the workpiece through the use of controlled fracturing by simultaneously exceeding the yield strength and the breaking strength of the workpiece material so to prevent plastic deformation by an impact which causes the axial projection of banding along the circumference of the tool to produce a through-hole without plastic deformation such that the depth creates a hole through the workpiece without driving completely though the workpiece or using a fixed surface;
• withdrawing the cutting tool from the workpiece to a predetermined level;
• resetting the cutting tool using the drive mechanism;
• repositioning the workpiece so the face of cutting tool is perpendicular to centerline of a subsequent hole;
• and
• retracting the cutting tool from a work envelope upon completion of the holemaking process;
• creating shear bands to emanate from the face of the cutting tool using the force of the cutting tool;
• forming connecting cracks by concentrating heat generated by the force within the shear bands;
• forming a slug in the workpiece at the position of the hole using the force of the cutting tool such that a through-hole is formed at the position of the slug without a counterstrike, die or other counter-tool used on the opposite side of the workpiece.

A multi-axis machining apparatus for providing a through hole using controlled fracturing comprising:

• a base section for supporting a workpiece;
• a bridge section for holding at least one machine tool;
• and
• wherein the multi-axis machining apparatus operates to adjust the rotary machine tool about it longitudinal axis for optimizing the force of the machine tool for producing a hole in non-metallic material using non-rotary machining comprising the steps of:
• fixturing a workpiece to a table of the multi-axis machining apparatus such that no die is used;
• fixturing a cutting tool to the column of the machine tool;
• positioning a face of the cutting tool perpendicular to the centerline of the proposed hole;
• adjusting the cutting face of the machine tool by rotating the cutting tool or workpiece so that an optimal cutting force can be achieved;
• approaching the surface of the workpiece with the cutting tool to a level sufficient to clear obstructions and to allow acceleration of the cutting tool to the speed required for controlled fracturing;
• driving the cutting tool without rotation about its axis into the workpiece using a force of at least 20,000 lbs/sq-in through the use of controlled fracturing by simultaneously exceeding the yield strength and the breaking strength of the workpiece material by an impact which causes the axial projection of banding along the perimeter of the tool to produce a through-hole without plastic to a depth necessary to make a through-hole without driving completely though the workpiece or using a fixed surface to support the workpiece;
• creating a hole conforming to the perimeter of the cutting tool's face using a drive mechanism without a counterstrike, die or other counter-tool used on the opposite side of the workpiece;
• withdrawing the cutting tool from the workpiece to a predetermined level;
• resetting cutting tool using the drive mechanism;
• repositioning the workpiece so the face of cutting tool is perpendicular to centerline of a subsequent hole;
• and
• retracting the cutting tool from a work envelope upon completion of the holemaking process.