Seco has introduced the X Tip Drill, a modular holemaking system with one reusable drill body and exchangeable carbide tips. It is intended for manufacturers machining different materials and hole depths. Frequent tool changes can increase setup time and inventory requirements. The system uses one common drill body with several tip geometries for different drilling applications.
The X Tip Drill is designed for 3xD, 5xD and 8xD drilling depths. Therefore, one body can cover a wider range of work. According to Seco, this can simplify tool management in mixed-production environments. This is particularly relevant where steels, stainless steels and cast iron are machined on the same shop floor. Instead of using separate drills for each material or hole requirement, operators can retain the drill body. They replace only the carbide tip. This approach can reduce the number of tools held in stock. It can also limit the risk of selecting an incorrect tool during setup. The system addresses the need for repeatable tool changes. Modular drilling systems must maintain reliable positioning after tips have been exchanged several times. The pre-tensioned interface is intended to support this requirement.
One body for different drilling depths
The common drill body is the central element of the system. It supports drilling depths of 3xD, 5xD and 8xD. This provides flexibility when production programmes change regularly. For subcontract manufacturers and other facilities processing short or variable batches, one body may reduce the need for separate drilling tools. Each tool would otherwise be dedicated to a specific application. Tip replacement uses a patented pre-tensioned interface. Each drill body is supplied with a double-sided key. The key is intended to support fast and secure changes at the machine or during setup. An axial lock holds the tip in position. Its purpose is to maintain accuracy and repeatability after repeated replacements.
The practical benefit is that it avoids a complete tool change when the material, geometry or drilling requirement changes. The reusable body remains in service while the cutting element is replaced. As a result, setup work can be shortened. The drill can also be adapted to changing job requirements. The modular design separates the longer-life tool body from the carbide cutting tip. The tip is replaced when required.
Tip geometries matched to material and hole form
Seco offers several carbide tip geometries for the X Tip Drill. All are compatible with the same drill body. ISO P and ISO M tips are specified for steels and stainless steels. The ISO K geometry is intended for abrasive cast iron. It is designed for applications where stable cutting behaviour is required. This material-specific approach aims to provide a more predictable response across workpieces with different cutting characteristics. A Flat Bottom geometry is also available for holes requiring a flat base. Seco states that this geometry can produce flat-bottom holes in a single operation. Therefore, applicable workpieces may not require a secondary machining step. Reducing follow-up operations can simplify process routing. It can also limit handling between machining stages.
The system combines high-feed capability with chip evacuation and self-centering geometry. These features are intended to support shorter cycle times and consistent hole quality. Moreover, the modular configuration keeps the drill body in service while worn tips are replaced. The carbide tips are replaceable and recyclable. This reduces the amount of tooling discarded when the cutting edge reaches the end of its usable life.
