FORMDRILL - UNIMEX NV
Tools for tubes
Company Overview
Formdrill, established in 1980, possesses over four decades of experience in developing and supplying innovative precision tools. Headquartered in Hasselt, Belgium, the company has expanded its global presence with sales offices in Paris, France; Shanghai, China; Chicago, USA; and Bangalore, India. Formdrill is ISO-certified, demonstrating a commitment to quality, and continually invests in advanced grinding technology and inspection equipment. The company's core mission revolves around providing practical solutions and offering high-quality tools at competitive prices, supported by extensive technical expertise cultivated over 35 years. They also provide subcontracting services, enabling companies to utilize Formdrill technology without in-house investment.
Core Technology & Products
The Formdrill system offers an effective solution for creating robust threads in thin-walled materials, addressing a common manufacturing challenge typically handled by weld nuts or threaded inserts. This thermal drilling process, also known as flowdrilling or frictiondrilling, involves two key steps: first, a bushing is formed from the parent material using a Formdrill tool, which significantly increases the surface area for tapping. Subsequently, a Formtap forms strong threads in this bushing without cutting any material. This chipless process results in threads that are generally stronger than cut threads due to material compaction. Formdrill offers various tools, including standard and custom Formdrill tools, specialized Formtaps for metric, BSP, UNC, and UNF threads, and essential lubricants. Complementary products include tool holders with cooling disks, MQL lubrication units for automation, and portable magnetic drills for mobile applications.
Advantages & Applications
The Formdrill system boasts several advantages, including the creation of high-load, stronger joints and an increased material thickness in the threaded area, typically three times the original wall thickness. The technology can be applied to a wide range of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, such as steel, aluminium, stainless steel, copper, and brass, with material thicknesses from 1.0mm to 12.0mm. A notable benefit is that no specialized machinery is required; standard drill presses, CNC centers, or milling machines with appropriate spindle speed and motor power are sufficient. Formdrill is widely adopted across various manufacturing industries, including automotive, furniture, and HVAC, for applications like threaded connections, bearing sleeves, sealing surfaces, and brazing joints. The process is also well-suited for automation due to its chipless nature, accuracy, and extended tool life.
