What 5 Axis Fast Hole Drilling can offer you
5-Axis Fast Hole Drilling is a high-speed EDM process designed specifically for producing small-diameter, deep holes in conductive materials with precision and speed that conventional mechanical drilling simply cannot match. Using a rotating tubular electrode through which dielectric fluid is continuously flushed, the process removes material through controlled electrical discharge rather than mechanical cutting — meaning there is no tool breakage risk, no cutting force, and no work-hardening of the hole wall.
The process is capable of producing holes in materials that are effectively impossible to drill conventionally — fully hardened steels, nickel superalloys such as Inconel and Waspaloy, titanium alloys, and other conductive materials that would rapidly blunt or fracture conventional drills. Hole diameters from 0.3 mm to 3.0 mm are achievable, with depth-to-diameter ratios far exceeding what is practical with conventional tooling.
With full five-axis positioning, holes can be drilled at precise compound angles across complex three-dimensional surfaces in a single setup. This is critical for aerospace applications where cooling holes must be oriented at exact angles relative to curved aerofoil surfaces — any re-fixturing introduces positional error and adds cost. Our five-axis capability eliminates this risk, delivering consistent hole position and orientation throughout the component.
5-Axis Fast Hole Drilling is indispensable in the production of cooling holes in turbine blades, vanes and combustion components, where precise hole geometry and position directly affect thermal performance and component life. It is equally essential for producing start holes for subsequent Wire EDM operations, where the entry hole must be accurately positioned and clean-walled to allow the wire to be threaded without damage.
At Electro Discharge Ltd, our fast hole drilling operations are fully integrated with our Wire EDM and Spark EDM capabilities, allowing complex components requiring multiple processes to be completed in-house under a single quality plan. All work is programmed and inspected in-house, and carried out under our AS9100 Rev D and NADCAP accredited quality management system — giving customers full confidence in positional accuracy, traceability and on-time delivery.