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Machinability of the uncoated and Ta–C-coated single-flute microdrills in dry machining of PCBs

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Abstract

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) were the carriers of electronic components, and microhole machining is an essential step for the connection of the different layers in PCBs. Although Ta–C coatings have been used for the cutting tools to increase tool life, the effect of Ta–C coating on microdrills in the dry microhole machining of FR-4 PCBs is unclear. This study focuses on the effect of Ta–C-coated single-flute microdrill on its machinability in drilling of PCBs. The drilling experiments were conducted, and the drilling force signals, hole dimensions, hole accuracy, and tool wear were analyzed in paper. The results show that the Ta–C-coated microdrill exhibited the improved chip evacuation, greater stability, and higher sustainable machinability during the drilling of PCBs. With the feed rate of 5μm/rev, the averaged thrust force and torque reduced 6.0% and 34.6%, respectively. In terms of sustainable machinability, the Ta–C-coated microdrill showed an increase of 13.5% in hole accuracy. After continuous drilling 2800 holes, both the coated and uncoated microdrills exhibited the similar tool wear patterns and mechanisms. However, the Ta–C-coated microdrill experienced a reduction of 10.2% in flank face wear and a decrease of 2.2% in thrust force. In dry machining, Ta–C coating offers the enhanced chip removal and improved sustainable machinability compared to uncoated microdrills.

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Funding

This work was supported by Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities (ZQN-805) and the Open Funding Project from Virtual Manufacturing Technology Key Laboratory in Fujian Universities (Xnzz2005).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, China

    Zhiqin Su, Xian Wu & Jianyun Shen

  2. Fujian University Key Laboratory of Virtual Manufacturing Technology, Quanzhou University of Information Engineering, Quanzhou, 362000, China

    Xian Wu & Lizhi Gu

  3. Institute of Manufacturing Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, China

    Feng Jiang

  4. Xiamen Xiazhi Technology Tool Co., Ltd., Xiamen, 361006, China

    Guangda Liu & Meiliang Yu

Authors
  1. Zhiqin Su
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  2. Xian Wu
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  3. Jianyun Shen
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  4. Lizhi Gu
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  5. Feng Jiang
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  6. Guangda Liu
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  7. Meiliang Yu
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Contributions

Xian Wu and Jianyun Shen are responsible for providing the overall research ideas, Zhiqin Su and Feng Jiang are responsible for microdrilling experiments, Zhiqin Su and Lizhi Gu are responsible for data analysis, and Guangda Liu and Meiliang Yu provide microdrills and tool materials in the study.

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Correspondence to Xian Wu.

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Su, Z., Wu, X., Shen, J. et al. Machinability of the uncoated and Ta–C-coated single-flute microdrills in dry machining of PCBs. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 131, 2583–2596 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-023-12069-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-023-12069-7

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