Annular Cutter
What is Annular cutter？
Annular cutters, also called mag drill bits, core cutters, or broach cutters, are metalworking tools used in creating holes. The term “annular cutter” is named after the annulus shape and the term “mag drill bit” is named after the machine it uses – a magnetic drill. An annular cutter only cuts the outline of the hole and leaves a slug that is removed. Compared to other hole-making tools like twist drills and hole saws, annular cutters are more efficient because they cut less material in the cutting process. Usually, there are two types of annular cutters: high-speed steel (HSS) and tungsten carbide tipped (TCT). Weldon shanks and universal shanks are the most common shank types of mag drill bits.
Advantages of annular cutters
Efficiency
Because an annular cutter only cuts the outline of a hole, it can cut almost 4 times faster than traditional drill bits like twist drills or hole saws. In addition, you can create a hole in one shot with a mag drill bit, with no pre-drilling and step-drilling required.
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Power saving
Unlike hole saws, mag drill bits require less power to operate due to their design. Instead of drilling through the whole workpiece, the cutters only focus on the outline, thus requiring less energy during operation.
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Longer service life
Several cutting edges cut the workpiece simultaneously, so annular cutters are less likely to wear quickly. In addition, HSS and tungsten carbide are extremely durable wear-resistant materials, ensuring the longer service life of mag drill bits.
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Burr-free
Due to the design of the teeth, annular cutters create fewer chips and can evacuate the chips during operation, leaving burr-free holes in the workpiece.
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Accuracy
Mag drill bits can create accurate and clean holes by using a pilot pin. It is of great importance to drill holes accurately in applications like pipping.
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Types of annular cutters
According to the manufacturing material, there are two types of mag drill bits: high-speed steel (HSS) bits and tungsten carbide tipped (TCT) bits.
1.HSS annular cutters are made completely from high-speed steel. They are less expensive than TCT mag drill bits and are less likely to break during operation. HSS bits are suitable for cutting softer metal like aluminum. One of the greatest advantages of HSS mag drill bits is that they can be re-sharpened.
2. TCT mag drill bits are equipped with tungsten carbide tips, thus being ideal for drilling harder materials. As we know, tungsten carbide is the second hardest material, featuring excellent durability and strength. So, TCT annular cutters have longer service life than HSS cutters. However, tungsten carbide can break more easily and TCT mag drill bits can not be re-sharpened.
Shank types
Shanks of annular cutters can be different. The most commonly used shanks are Weldon shanks and Universal shanks. In addition, there are Fein quick-in shank, threaded shank, round shank, quick change shank, etc.
Weldon shanks
Annular cutters with the Weldon shank have two flats on the shank for holding the cutters. The Weldon shank is a traditional technology that is widely used in drilling applications. With a Weldon shank, the cutter can be rigidly held by the machine, creating burr-free holes.
Universal shanks
Mag drill bits with the Universal shank or Nitto shank feature one flat and three grooves for quick connection. Thanks to this design, the cutter is free from the strain of grub screws. In most cases, Universal shank cutters can be used in Weldon shank machines, but if you want to use Weldon shank mag drill bits in “one touch” machines, an adaptor is required. Since there is only one flat, Universal shank annular cutters won’t be securely held by the machines.
Applications of annular cutter
Construction
They are used in construction to drill holes for electrical and plumbing conduits, as well as for structural steel and other metal components. Magnetic drills are commonly used in the construction industry, because they are portable and can work even overhead.
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Manufacturing
They are used in manufacturing to drill holes efficiently in a variety of metal products, such as automotive parts, aerospace components, and electronic devices.
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Maintenance and repair
They are used in maintenance and repair to drill holes in metal equipment and machinery.
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DIY projects
Even though they are mainly industrial, annular cutters can be used by DIY for a variety of projects, such as installing home security systems, building custom furniture, and repairing metal fences and gates.
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Why Choose Us
High Quality
Xinxing digital factory covers an area of 66666 m2 with an annual output of 6 million pieces. Introducing advanced information systems to achieve the whole process of digital management, forging reliable quality.
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Advanced Equipment
Workshops have modern production lines, equipped with CNC precision automatic lathe, vertical machining center, robots and other international advanced production equipment, to achieve fully automatic assembly line production, to ensure stable and superior quality.
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Professional Team
Xinxing's R&D team is composed of professional engineers in the fields of materials, tool design, heat treatment, cutting application technology, manufacturing processes, and other fields. It is a highly experienced and creative technology research and development team.
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Accept ODM/OEM
According to your process requirements, dedicated tools can be configured to improve efficiency or overcome the processing difficulties. Welcome to inquiry from us.
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Company profile
Zhejiang Xinxing Tools Co., Ltd., was founded in 1994, is a high-tech enterprise focusing on hole processing technology. Since its founding nearly 30 years ago, we will be adhering to "focus on improving self", the company has set up the mission of providing manufacturing industry with high efficiency & precision cutting tools, consistently implement the innovative development strategy, deeply cultivate the productivity of cutting tools and technology improvement.
Our products include: Annular cutter, rail cutter, hole saw, spade drill, step drill, countersink, magnetic drill machine, solid carbide cutter, taps, B T A deep hole drill, etc.
Nearly 30 years of accumulation, we are equipped with international leading R & D and testing equipment, established a production line for large number of professional CNC tools, become a high performance CNC tool manufacturer combined with R & D, production and sales. Nearly 30 years of efforts, the company has 100 patents approximately, leading the industry standards drafting of 《ANNULAR CUTTER》, 《Internal cooling replaceable inserts spade drill》, Won the "national manufacturing industry individual champion demonstration enterprise" and other honors, it has been closely cooperated with customers from more than 80 countries.
In the future, we will be adhering to "the concept of innovative development, win-win cooperation", we carry out the mission of "providing efficient precision cutting tools", continue to focus on deep tillage and efficient cutting technology, and strive to become a more reliable tool manufacturing brand of you.
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FAQ
Q: 1.What is an annular cutter used for?
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A: An annular cutter is a specialized bit for drilling through metal. Like a hole saw for wood, an annular cutter only cuts the outside edge of a hole. It produces accurate burr-free holes to close tolerances without pre-drilling or step drilling.
Q: 2. What is the difference between twist drill and annular cutter?
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A: Twist drill bits only have two cutting edges, require more cutting time, require a more powerful tool and use a slower feed rate when compared to annular cutters. Alternatively, annular cutters only cut along the outside edge of that 1" hole being made.
Q: 3.Which is better TCT or HSS annular cutter?
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A: Testing found the market standard annular cutter had an average cutting amount of 74 holes until its retirement, compared to a whopping average of 753 holes by the Alpha TCT XTRA Annular Cutter Multi-Fit Shank.
Q: 4.How long do annular cutters last?
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A: An annular cutter is a specialized tool primarily used for drilling precise, clean holes in thick metal materials, such as steel plates, structural beams, and pipes.