Forming method and experimental research on wire cutting of twist drill cone flank

To solve the problems involving several forming movements and the complex sharpening structures required for the flank face of a traditional grinding wheel-sharpening twist drill, a new method based on the wire electrical discharge machining is here proposed and a mathematical model of twist drill flank faces formed by wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) is established. Based on the forming principle of the conical flank face of twist drills and the processing characteristics of the wire-cutting machine, a wire-cutting and forming device was designed and its motion analyzed. Using the UG NX (Unigraphics NX) software, a virtual prototype of the wire-cutting and forming device was established, with the simulation and measurement analysis performed using the VERICUT software. After analyzing the feasibility of its motion, the wire-cutting and forming device was developed and the wire-cutting and forming test was conducted. The feasibility of the device was analyzed by measuring the angle of the drill tip and the surface quality of the flank face of the twist drill. The utility model has a simple structure and provided us with a new idea and solution for the “grinding” of the twist drill.