Drilling lead-free brass is no longer a problem with new “crazy” high performance drills

Mikron Tool, the Swiss manufacturer of cutting tools for micro‑machining difficult materials, introduces two new solid carbide drills:

• CrazyDrill Non‑Ferrous for copper, aluminium, lead‑free brass, and other non‑ferrous metals and alloys.

• CrazyDrill µm‑SP, a high‑performance drill for high precision holes in lead‑free brass, for example for the watchmaking industry.

These tools reaffirm Mikron Tool’s leadership in high‑performance micro‑drilling.

CrazyDrill Non‑Ferrous

CrazyDrill Non‑Ferrous delivers high‑performance drilling in non‑ferrous materials, covering:

• Diameter range: 0.2 to 6.35 mm (.0078" to .250")
• Drilling depths: up to 12 × d

Key Design Features

• Cutting geometry for controlled chip formation and efficient evacuation
• High performance, cycle time reduction, and stable drilling even with limited spindle speed, reduced rigidity, or non‑optimal cooling
• High‑quality grinding surfaces to reduce friction and cutting forces
• Specially designed tip shape for optimal chip management and reduced edge breakage risk
• Digressive helical flute for enhanced chip evacuation, especially in deep‑hole drilling

CrazyDrill Non-Ferrous - Versions and Ranges

• CrazyDrill Non-Ferrous NK — 8 × d and 12 × d
  • Diameter: 0.2 - 2.0 mm (.0078" - .078")
  • Coolant: Integrated channels through the shank
  • Regrinding: Not suitable
• CrazyDrill Non-Ferrous NN — 8 × d and 12 × d
  • Diameter: 0.2 - 2.0 mm (.0078" - .078")
  • Coolant: External supply
  • Regrinding: Not suitable
• CrazyDrill Non-Ferrous NN — 5 × d
  • Diameter: 2.0 - 6.35 mm (.078" - .250")
  • Coolant: External supply
  • Regrinding: Can be reground 

Precision and Accuracy

Each solid carbide drill is engineered for precise micro‑machining with consistent accuracy.

CrazyDrill µm‑SP (Lead‑Free Brass)

CrazyDrill µm‑SP is tailored for lead‑free brass - especially for watch manufacturing:

• Diameter range: 0.35 to 3 mm (.0138" to .118")
• Drilling depths (on request): 1 to 3 × d
• Coolant: External supply

Key Design Features

• Dimensional accuracy of up to ±1 µm (.000039")
• Cutting geometry for controlled chip formation and efficient evacuation in lead‑free brass
• Extended tool life
• High surface quality that meets the demanding tolerances of premium watch manufacturers

Q&A

What are the two new drills and what materials/applications are they designed for?

Short answer: Mikron Tool introduced CrazyDrill Non‑Ferrous for copper, aluminium, lead‑free brass, and other non‑ferrous metals/alloys, and CrazyDrill µm‑SP specifically for precise drilling in lead‑free brass like in watchmaking. CrazyDrill Non‑Ferrous covers a broad range of non‑ferrous applications with diameters from 0.2 to 6.35 mm(.0078" to .250") and drilling depths up to 12 × d. CrazyDrill µm‑SP targets premium watch manufacturing in lead‑free brass, with diameters from 0.35 to 3 mm (.0138" - .118") and depths on request from 1 to 3 × d.

What versions of CrazyDrill Non‑Ferrous are available and how do they differ?

Short answer: Three versions address different coolant and size needs:

• CrazyDrill Non-Ferrous NK (8 × d and 12 × d): 0.2 - 2.0 mm (.0078" - .078"), with integrated coolant channels through the shank.
• CrazyDrill Non-Ferrous NN (8 × d and 12 × d): 0.2 - 2.0 mm (.0078" - .078"), for external coolant supply.
• CrazyDrill Non-Ferrous NN (5 × d): 2.0 - 6.35 mm (.078" - .250"), for external coolant supply.
• Choose NK when through‑coolant is available and deep‑hole evacuation is critical; choose NN when using external coolant or when larger diameters up to 6.35 mm are required.

Can these drills be reground?

Short answer: For CrazyDrill Non‑Ferrous, the NK (8 × d, 12 × d) and NN (8 × d, 12 × d) versions are not suitable for regrinding. The NN (5 × d) version can be reground. 

What design features support reliable chip control and deep‑hole performance?

Short answer: Both lines use cutting geometries for controlled chip formation and efficient evacuation. CrazyDrill Non‑Ferrous adds high‑quality drill surfaces to reduced friction and cutting forces, specially designed drill tip to optimize chip management and reduce edge breakage risk, and a digressive helical flute to boost chip evacuation, especially in deep holes. It enables reduced cycle time, increased performance, and enhanced stability even on machines with limited spindle speed, reduced rigidity, or non‑optimal cooling.

For lead‑free brass, when should I choose CrazyDrill µm‑SP over CrazyDrill Non‑Ferrous?

Short answer: Choose CrazyDrill µm‑SP when machining lead‑free brass parts of premium watches, demanding high surface quality and tight tolerances (diameters 0.35–3 mm (.0138" - .118"), depths 1–3 × d with external coolant). Choose CrazyDrill Non‑Ferrous for broader non‑ferrous applications, deeper holes up to 12 × d, wider diameter coverage (up to 6.35 mm (.250")), or when you need a tool that performs also reliably on less rigid machines or with non‑optimal cooling.