AD carbide drill enhances tool life and productivity at Schaeffler
Schaeffler Group USA Inc., the North American operation of the Schaeffler Group based in Herzogenaurach, Germany, is a leading global supplier of automotive and industrial components. Known for high‑precision systems used in engines, transmissions, chassis and bearing applications, the company provides bearing solutions, linear guidance systems, and repair and monitoring services. With about 110,000 employees and more than 250 locations in 55 countries, Schaeffler is among the world’s largest family-owned manufacturers.
Schaeffler Group USA’s Cheraw, South Carolina, facility, which employs 700 people at a modern 125,000‑square‑meter plant.
Established in 1964, Schaeffler Group USA operates its regional headquarters for the Americas from a 60‑acre campus in Fort Mill, South Carolina, which includes administrative offices, two manufacturing plants and a Technology Center.
Frax punch and various dies manufactured by Schaeffler Group USA.
The company’s Cheraw, South Carolina, facility—employing 700 people across a modern 125,000‑square‑meter plant—recently sought a solid carbide drilling solution capable of handling multiple materials in both scheduled and unscheduled production. The site manufactures automotive components such as frax punches, cam pins and injection‑mold sliders, primarily in A2 and 1018 steel. Known for maximizing tool life, Schaeffler required a drill available in a wide range of standard sizes to stock its toolroom.
Slider and tab punch used in injection-mold production.
OSG USA was asked to recommend and test a non‑coolant carbide drill available in multiple stocked diameters and suitable for various materials. After reviewing requirements, OSG selected its AD carbide drill series, a next‑generation high‑performance line offered in 2xD and 4xD lengths from 2 to 20 mm. The AD series features a wavy point form for controlled chip breaking, wide flutes for smooth evacuation and stable machining torque, and OSG’s EgiAs coating for extended tool life.
The AD drill is part of OSG’s next‑generation, high‑performance carbide drill line. Its wavy point form breaks chips into small, manageable pieces, while wide flute geometry enables smooth evacuation, low thrust and stable machining torque—making the series well‑suited for a range of machining environments.
A 4 mm AD‑4D DIN carbide drill (EDP# 8672400) was tested against two coated competitor drills on A2 steel (30 HRC). Each workpiece required three 0.1575‑inch blind holes drilled to 1.3 inches on a MAZAK VARIAXIS 500‑5X machining center using water‑soluble flood coolant. The component selected for the trial has been produced for seven years, with an annual volume of about 200 pieces.
OSG’s 2.8 mm AD‑4D DIN high‑performance carbide drill. Schaeffler Group USA uses multiple sizes of OSG AD drills in its operations.
Using identical cutting parameters, OSG’s AD drill delivered strong results: 80% longer tool life than the first competitor and 30% longer life than the second. For this 4 mm drill application alone, Schaeffler estimates annual savings of roughly $11,422 across various workpieces.
From left, OSG sales representative Michael Ball and Schaeffler Group USA senior CNC programmer Michael Ahlberg at Schaeffler Group USA’s Cheraw, South Carolina, manufacturing facility.
As a stocked, versatile and high‑performing solution, OSG’s AD drill series has proven to be a reliable partner in supporting Schaeffler Group USA’s commitment to efficient, intelligent and sustainable motion technology.
For more information on OSG’s AD carbide drill series, OSG USA and Schaeffler Group USA