High-strength steels such as HARDOX® and DP1000: Due to the extremely high strength of the material, there is not enough displacement to form a proper collar.
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about Flowdrill and friction drilling, such as:
Whether you work in metalworking, production, or machine building, this page provides valuable insights to help you get the most out of your Flowdrill application.
For detailed technical information, you can consult our Knowledge Hub or get in touch. Discover how Flowdrill can optimize your production process and reduce costs.
You can order a Flowdrill friction drill directly via our website or through one of our authorized partners.
For more information, please contact us.
An alternative to blind rivet nuts, weld nuts, and press nuts
Yes, friction drilling is a proven technology with a long history of success. The first friction drillings were developed after World War II. Since then, Flowdrill has continuously refined and improved the technology. Today, friction drilling is used daily by thousands of customers around the world as a reliable alternative to blind rivet nuts, weld nuts, and press nuts.
Yes, this is possible. This is known as a “Flat Finish” or a collar-free result.
The Flat Finish is achieved by incorporating a milling cutter into the standard friction drill. In a single process, the tool forms the hole and removes the excess material from the top surface, leaving a flat finish.
This allows adjacent parts to be placed flush with the material surface and is particularly useful in applications where a clean and seamless result is required, such as in the furniture industry.
If you want to add frictiondrilling to your production process, it’s important to know that the frictiondrill alone isn’t enough. A few essential accessories are crucial to achieve the best results.
Flowdrill accessories also help extend tool life and improve the quality of your holes. To make things easy, we’ve created a complete Starter Set, packed in a striking red case. It includes everything you need to start frictiondrilling right away. The Starter Set is suitable for CNC machines, tube lasers, and pillar drill machines.
If you are friction drilling into a tube with a small inner diameter and want to avoid a long bushing on the inside, there is a simple solution. By using a pilot hole, also known as a pre-drilled hole, you can reduce the length of the bushing. This helps maintain sufficient clearance inside the profile.
Yes. Flowdrill supports the integration of friction drilling into drill presses, CNC machines, robot cells, and custom-designed production cells.Our team has experience with on-site integrations and can help evaluate the application, define the correct tool setup, and advise on key process requirements such as spindle speed, feed rate, clamping, lubrication, and machine stability.
This helps engineers implement friction drilling as a reliable production process, whether in a drill press, an existing CNC machine, an automated robot cell, or a purpose-built production system. For certain applications, on-site visits, integration support, and additional technical guidance may also be possible.
A Flowdrill friction-drilled connection is known for its high strength, depending on the material, wall thickness, thread size, and application. In many cases, it can be stronger than alternatives such as rivet nuts, blind rivet nuts, or press-in nuts. For example, a friction-drilled connection in 2.0 mm thick steel can withstand a force of up to 2.7 tons, approximately 26.5 kN. This makes it a strong and reliable alternative to conventional mechanical fastening methods.
Some coatings and protective layers may be damaged during friction drilling.
Galvanized steel
Powder coating and ED coating
Depending on the diameter, frictiondrilling is possible up to a thickness of 10 millimeters, based on ST235 mild steel.
Note: The larger the frictiondrill diameter, the more power is required from the machine.
Want to know more about what’s possible with different metals? Feel free to contact us.
A Flowdrill friction-drilled connection is known for its high strength, depending on the material, wall thickness, thread size, and application. In many cases, it can be stronger than alternatives such as rivet nuts, blind rivet nuts, or press-in nuts. For example, a friction-drilled connection in 2.0 mm thick steel can withstand a force of up to 2.7 tons, approximately 26.5 kN. This makes it a strong and reliable alternative to conventional mechanical fastening methods.
An alternative to blind rivet nuts, weld nuts, and press nuts
Yes, friction drilling is a proven technology with a long history of success. The first friction drillings were developed after World War II. Since then, Flowdrill has continuously refined and improved the technology. Today, friction drilling is used daily by thousands of customers around the world as a reliable alternative to blind rivet nuts, weld nuts, and press nuts.
The thicker the material, the stronger the connection. A Flowdrill connection is often stronger than traditional fastening methods.
For example, an M6x1.0 connection in 2 mm mild steel reaches a pull-out force of 19.4 kN and a torque of 16 Nm. That’s stronger than a class 8.8 bolt.
We also test this ourselves. Through internal strength testing, we ensure each connection meets our standards. Do you have questions about the strength you need? Feel free to contact us.
If you are friction drilling into a tube with a small inner diameter and want to avoid a long bushing on the inside, there is a simple solution. By using a pilot hole, also known as a pre-drilled hole, you can reduce the length of the bushing. This helps maintain sufficient clearance inside the profile.
Friction drilling works in almost all materials that are ductile and not brittle. Think of aluminium, stainless steel, and high-strength steel with 1000 MPa or more.
Not sure if your material is suitable? Feel free to contact us. We can quickly check this in our material database. If needed, we’ll perform additional tests to determine the possibilities.
Hardened steel (e.g. hardened 16MnCr5, hardened C45M): The material is too hard and causes excessive tool wear. Not suitable without special pre-processing. Contact us to discuss the possibilities.
High-strength steels such as HARDOX® and DP1000: Due to the extremely high strength of the material, there is not enough displacement to form a proper collar.
Aluminium 6060-T6 and other aluminium alloys: All types of aluminium are suitable for frictiondrilling. This is due to the low melting and deformation temperature.
Note: we do recommend using our specially developed Aludrill.
Cast iron and zinc die-cast (GD-ZnAl4Co1): Metals with a brittle structure break easily under the pressure of frictiondrilling. Not suitable for a reliable connection.
Copper and brass (CuZn39Pb3, CW614N): Is suitable for friction drilling, but requires adjusted parameters. Please contact us, we are happy to help you!
Hardened steel (e.g. hardened 16MnCr5, hardened C45M): The material is too hard and causes excessive tool wear. Not suitable without special pre-processing. Contact us to discuss the possibilities.
High-strength steels such as HARDOX® and DP1000: Due to the extremely high strength of the material, there is not enough displacement to form a proper collar.
Welding affects the material properties: Frictiondrilling directly on a weld seam can lead to cracking, a torn collar, and tool breakage. We do not recommend this.