ALPEN has introduced the Metal Head, a metal drill bit with patent-pending tip geometry. It is designed to drill without centre punching and with less applied pressure. According to the company, the design also reduces snagging and burr formation at breakthrough. It is intended for manual drilling in maintenance, assembly and small-batch production. The drill bit is intended for professional tradespeople and industrial users who regularly drill metal. These include workshops, mechanical engineering companies, maintenance teams and vehicle repair shops. ALPEN also identifies structural steelwork, installation and prototyping as applications.
Progressive Edge Cutting technology, or PEC-Tec, is central to the design. Its tip has three cutting edges that work together. According to ALPEN, this geometry provides faster drilling, longer tool life and lower energy consumption than conventional step drills. However, the available material provides no test figures to quantify these differences. The Metal Head also has ground flutes to support chip evacuation. Its steam-tempered surface provides corrosion protection. ALPEN MAYKESTAG manufactures the bit in Austria. The family-owned company is based in Puch near Salzburg.
Three cutting edges and controlled breakthrough
The PEC-Tec geometry is designed to start drilling without centre punching. According to ALPEN, it also allows drilling at an angle. This gives users another option when positioning the tool. The company says the tip requires less applied pressure. It also controls breakthrough as the drill exits the material. This control is intended to reduce snagging and burr formation while improving stability. For manual drilling, a lower tendency to tilt or catch can make the operation easier to manage. This is particularly relevant when drilling thin sheet metal. The ground flutes complement the tip by helping to evacuate chips during drilling. ALPEN also claims extended tool life compared with conventional step drills. However, the supplied material includes no service-life figure.
Lower force in manual drilling
Applied pressure affects both the operator and the drilling machine. ALPEN says the Metal Head requires less force during drilling. As a result, it can reduce strain on the user and the machine. In repeated manual operations, lower pressure can also help reduce operator fatigue. Energy consumption is another consideration when using cordless drills. According to ALPEN, the Metal Head uses less energy than conventional step drills. Therefore, more holes may be drilled on a single battery charge. No figures are provided for the number of holes or the energy saving. These characteristics are aimed at applications ranging from assembly and maintenance to small-batch production. The company also identifies plumbers and installers as potential users. Other applications include industrial building work, plant maintenance, and automotive and commercial vehicle repair.
