Fdrill is a thermal drilling process that produces a bushing formed from the parent material by plasticising it. This is an alternative to traditional fastening methods as Fdrill uses the material itself to form a stronger connection.
Criteria
Press nut
Weld nut
Rivet nut
Fdrill
Prehole and burring necessary?
yes
yes
yes
no
Special machinery or equipment necessary?
yes
yes
yes
no
Handling (complexity)
complex and time consuming
complex and time consuming
complex and time consuming
easy possible, extremely fast
Error rate (as an tendency)
very high
low
high
very low
Automation
conditionally possible
possible (with high effort)
conditionally possible
easily possible with high flexibility
Machining of closed profiles
conditionally possible (only from the outside)
conditionally possible (only from the outside)
possible, conditionally possible on circular tubes
simply possible
Reliability
given only conditionally
as a rule high
given only conditionally
particularly high
Screwing
if applicable inexact pressing, slant position
if applicable distortion due to heat input
if applicable cant, distortion of thread and risk of slipping
homogeneous moulding in direction of drilling axis
Multiple shift usage
conditionally possible
yes
conditionally possible
yes
Torque loading
low
high
low
high
Type of connection
mechanical, keyed press connection
partly joining of microstructure due to spot welding
