Thermal drilling optimization in multi hole plates

The article presents the results of simulation of thermal deformations by the finite element method for round multi-hole plates used in heat exchangers. The heat generated when drilling holes causes thermal deformation of these objects, which contributes to errors in the location of the holes. Obtained results of simulation were compared for different drilling strategies (the studies considered 24 different strategies). It was found that the maximum drilling temperatures according to different strategies may differ by up to 100%. Similar conclusions can be drawn for thermal deformations. The general conclusion that results from the conducted research indicates the need to choose a strategy that ensures the symmetry of the drilled holes in relation to the axis of symmetry of the object. Then, both thermal deformation and maximum temperature are the smallest. The thus identified thermal deformations can form the basis for the correction of the coordinates of the holes on a CNC multi-spindle drilling machine.