Sequential Drilling Research Articles

Sequential Laser Mechanical Microdrilling of Inconel 718 Alloy

Mechanical microdrilling of nickel-based aerospace alloys suffers from premature drill breakage due to the fragile nature of the microdrill. Additionally, burr size reduction in both macro- and microscales has become one of the key problems in the drilling process. This paper presents a new method to microdrill Inconel 718 alloy using laser followed by mechanical drilling (sequential drilling). The aim of this research was to understand and evaluate the capability of using sequential laser mechanical drilling method as an effective and efficient method in drilling difficult-to-cut metals. Two new approaches were developed, namely, a two-step process of laser pilot drilling followed by twist drilling and a three-step process of laser pilot hole drilling followed by mechanical pilot drilling and then twist drilling. The holes produced by the new approaches were compared with those by mechanical microdrilling (pilot drilling and then twisting drilling). The results show that mechanical drilling eliminates the laser drilling defects. Furthermore, while large nonuniform burrs with attached cap were found in pure mechanical drilling, 75% reduction in burr size was achieved with the complimentary sequential drilling technology. Additionally, when compared with purely mechanical microdrilling, the new drilling method resulted in 240–430% tool life increase. Thus, the new drilling method presents an opportunity for industry to extend tool life and decrease burr.

Reconstruction biologiquement améliorée du ligament croisé antérieur

Summary Biological integration of the tendon graft is a crucial prerequisite for successful ACL reconstruction. Histological studies showed that the human ACL remnants contain a cellular capacity for healing potential. The goal of this technical note is to describe an ACL reconstruction technique, using ACL remnants as a biological sleeve for the graft. In case of complete ACL rupture with a large remnant, the tibial tunnel was performed inside and through the ACL tibial stump by careful sequential drilling. Femoral tunnel placement was performed by an outside-in technique. The hamstring graft was kept attached to the tibia and routed through the ACL remnant to the femur. The aim of this technique is the preservation of the biological and mechanical properties of the ACL remnant. In order to preserve large remnants resulting in greater graft coverage, the best period to perform this reconstruction is during the first weeks after the injury.

Biologically enhanced ACL reconstruction

Biological integration of the tendon graft is a crucial prerequisite for successful ACL reconstruction. Histological studies showed that the human ACL remnants contain a cellular capacity for healing potential. The goal of this technical note is to describe an ACL reconstruction technique, using ACL remnants as a biological sleeve for the graft. In case of complete ACL rupture with a large remnant, the tibial tunnel was performed inside and through the ACL tibial stump by careful sequential drilling. Femoral tunnel placement was performed by an outside-in technique. The hamstring graft was kept attached to the tibia and routed through the ACL remnant to the femur. The aim of this technique is the preservation of the biological and mechanical properties of the ACL remnant. In order to preserve large remnants resulting in greater graft coverage, the best period to perform this reconstruction is during the first weeks after the injury.

A Feasibility Study on Laser-Mechanical Drilling of SiC Ceramics

Structural SiC (α-type) is believed to be widely applied in hostile environments such as high-temperature, high-corrosive applications in the semiconductor industries due to its superior thermo-physical and mechanical properties. However, the extremely high hardness and brittleness of SiC makes hole drilling difficult by the conventional mechanical drilling (CMD) technique. Laser can be used to drill SiC; but the resultant holes are often tapered and uneven, with tendency for microcracks and thermal damage to occur at the hole entry due to the high thermal shock from the laser. This paper reports on the experimental results of a sequential laser-mechanical drilling (LMD) technique for drilling α-SiC. At first, an Nd:YAG laser was used to drill a series of pilot holes on a 3 mm thick SiC plate. Then a diamond-coated carbide drill was sequentially applied to these holes to obtain desired hole diameter of 0.5 mm. A number of through holes on SiC (aspect ratio: 6) were successfully obtained using this approach. The quality of the drilled holes were assessed in terms of the entrance and exit sizes and conditions, hole taper angle, hole edge shapes, and microcracks. Finally, comparisons of the LMD performances were also made against the holes predrilled by the laser itself and holes of the similar size drilled separately with the CMD technique. The experiment results show that the proposed drilling approach can effectively drill α-SiC ceramics.

In vitro comparison of cortical bone temperature generation between traditional sequential drilling and a newly designed step drill in the equine third metacarpal bone

To compare heat generation and time to finish between a new step drill and sequential drilling in order to create a 6.2 mm pilot hole for insertion of a positive profile transfixation pin into the equine third metacarpal bone. Nine pairs of equine third metacarpal bones from cadavers of adult horses were used. Maximum temperature rise of the bone was measured continuously at the cis- and trans-cortices 1, 2 and 3 mm from the final pilot hole during creation of a 6.2 mm hole using a step drill and sequential drilling with 4.5, 5.5 and 6.2 mm drill bits. Five holes were drilled into the mid diaphysis of each bone in lateral to medial direction, and drilling forces of 60, 80 and 120 N were used (15 holes in each group). Time from start to finish was measured and cortical thickness was recorded for each hole. The maximum heat generation (mean [95% CI]) with step drilling and sequential drilling was not significantly different at 60 N and 120 N of drilling force. However, at 80 N of drilling force, the 2.13 degrees C difference between the two drilling techniques was significant. The time to finish (seconds) was significantly shorter for the holes created by step drilling (35.1 [32.06 - 37.59]) than by sequential drilling (145.8 [138.52 - 151.67]) (P < 0.001). Based on our results, we concluded that the step drill is a viable alternative to traditional sequential drilling of equine third metacarpal bone because it did not result in excessive heat generation that can result in bone necrosis.

Using the value of information to determine optimal well order in a sequential drilling program

Offshore drilling programs on complex reservoirs carry inherent risks. Subsurface uncertainty can lead to costly mistakes being made, and, therefore, being able to gain information during the course of a sequential drilling program, and use it effectively, can have sizeable capital importance. Based only on predicted drilling costs and production rates, wells closest to the platform would commonly be drilled before longer offset wells by virtue of their cheaper drilling costs. However, there is potential during the drilling program for learning to occur between the drilling of two wells that would either provide encouragement to go ahead and drill the second well, change it in some way, or, indeed, remove it from the program altogether. Analyzing the predicted value of this learning, before drilling commences, can reveal the conditions under which the longer offset well could be drilled first because of its potential to impact decisions regarding the second well. The various scenarios and their sensitivities are analyzed using a value of information (VoI) approach, providing an example of how VoI can be used proactively in the construction of learning drilling strategies. The same approach can be extended to most other data acquisition situations.

Computer-Guided Surgery Utilizing a Computer-Milled Surgical Template

Computer-Guided Surgery Utilizing a Computer-Milled Surgical Template

Optimal fixture design for drilling through deformable plate workpieces part II: results

This is the second of two manuscripts which employ finite element analysis and optimization algorithms to design optimal fixtures for drilling through deformable workpieces. Part I has addressed the problem formulation, suggesting five different objective functions that capture different geometric characteristics of the machined surface. The performance of the five obtained fixture layouts under different drilling conditions is studied in this paper. The drilling studies include single, sequential, and simultaneous (gang) drilling. These studies demonstrate the known fact that more frequent setups and longer machining time periods result in higher workpiece accuracies. The simulations also suggest that the proposed optimal fixturing model developed in this study can be used to command greater control over the drilling process, resulting in elevated drilling quality. The numerical value of the latter is captured by the objective function values. The computer simulations further identify optimal fixturing layouts that can be implemented in an industrial environment.

Positioning of the tibial tunnel for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Two mechanisms of unintentional anterior tibial tunnel axis shift can occur despite accurate placement of the guide wire within the proximal tibia. The first results from using a short-block reamer head joined to a shaft of smaller diameter. If the tibial tunnel is drilled obliquely, it is possible for the reamer head to displace anteriorly in the knee joint before completion of the posterior portion of the tibial tunnel. The second mechanism of anterior shift involves using two sequential drills to create the tibial tunnel. To delineate the causes of this unwanted shift, cadaveric studies and special roentgenographic studies were undertaken. Results demonstrated that the shift is related directly to the presence of high-density bone in the tibial plateau. In an effort to minimize this effect, various drill designs were tested, and it was determined that a drill-head length of 25 mm was most effective at reducing the shift without sacrificing the freedom of movement necessary to obtain precise endosteal placement of the femoral tunnel. Along with these experimental studies, a retrospective 7-year review of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction failures was performed to assess the clinical significance of inadvertent anterior positioning of the tibial tunnel.