Aston University

Chris Coulson

Peter Brett

Robin Taylor

David Proops

Mansel V Griffiths

The present invention provides a method of drilling a hole in a workpiece in order to control breakthrough of the workpiece comprising the steps of: a) initiating contact between a drill bit of a drill unit and the workpiece; b) operating the drill unit to rotate the drill bit to drill the workpiece; c) during drilling of the workpiece measuring the force, F and torque, T, experienced by the drill bit; d) calculating a variable F', based on the measured force, F, representing the rate of change of F; e) calculating a variable, T&#x2032; based on the measured torque, T, representing the rate of change of T; f) calculating a variable F&#x2033; representing the rate of change of F&#x2032;; g) calculating a variable T&#x2033; representing the rate of change of T&#x2033;; h) detecting the onset of breakout of the workpiece by use of the variables F&#x2032;, F&#x2033;, T&#x2032; and T&#x2033;; i) thereby controlling the speed of rotation of the drill bit during breakthrough of the workpiece to control the degree of breakout of the drill bit from the workpiece. A drilling system is also disclosed.

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Birmingham, United Kingdom

Chris Coulson