Drilling and Tapping

Drilling and tapping are critical machining operations that play a vital role in the manufacture of precision plastic components, assemblies, fixtures, and engineered parts. Whether creating simple mounting holes, precision hole patterns, threaded features, counterbores, countersinks, or complex multi-hole configurations, our drilling and tapping capability is designed to deliver accuracy, repeatability, and reliability across a wide range of engineering plastics.

We started in 2016 with the addition of a Pillar Drilling Machine capable of both drilling and tapping operations. This provided a flexible and efficient solution for general-purpose machining requirements while laying the foundation for more advanced hole-making capabilities.

As customer requirements evolved, we invested in a Swiss-made SIP Jig Boring Machine, renowned for its precision and positional accuracy. To further enhance its performance, we integrated a Digital Read Out (DRO) system, enabling highly accurate positioning for inline hole patterns, Pitch Circle Diameter (PCD) hole layouts, counterbores, and countersinks. This combination significantly improved our ability to manufacture components requiring precise hole locations and close positional tolerances.

In addition to dedicated drilling equipment, we utilise our M1TR milling machines for drilling operations on larger and longer components that require specialised fixturing. These machines also enable angular drilling operations, allowing us to produce features that would be difficult or inefficient to achieve on conventional drilling equipment.

Our CNC capabilities have further expanded the scope of drilling and tapping operations. The latest CNC Router in our facility is equipped with an upgraded spindle capable of both drilling and rigid tapping, enabling efficient machining of multiple features in a single setup. This improves productivity while maintaining excellent consistency across production batches.

For high-precision applications, our high-speed Vertical Machining Centres (VMCs) deliver drilling accuracies of up to ±0.010 mm, making them suitable for demanding industries where dimensional integrity is critical. The wide speed and feed range available on our CNC platforms allows us to machine hole sizes from as small as 1 mm to significantly larger diameters. Larger holes can also be produced through circular interpolation, ensuring superior accuracy, surface finish, and flexibility without the need for specialised tooling.

By combining conventional expertise, precision jig boring, and advanced CNC machining technologies, we provide drilling and tapping solutions that meet the exacting requirements of modern industrial applications.