Five-Axis Vertical Deep Hole Drilling Enables Complex Angle Drilling for Marine Components

Customer Background

The customer is a manufacturer of marine propulsion systems, producing propeller shafts, rudder stocks, and stern tubes for commercial vessels and offshore platforms. Their components are large, heavy, and require precision-drilled holes at compound angles for lubrication passages, hydraulic lines, and mounting hardware.

The Challenge

Marine propulsion component drilling presents unique challenges:

Large, heavy workpieces. Propeller shafts can exceed 5 meters in length and weigh several tons. Handling and positioning these components for multi-angle drilling is difficult and time-consuming.

Corrosion-resistant materials. Marine components are machined from duplex stainless steel, super-duplex grades, and high-strength bronze alloys. These materials are tough on tooling and require rigid machine construction and appropriate cutting parameters.

Compound-angle holes. Lubrication passages must be drilled at precise angles that intersect with internal galleries. These are not simple perpendicular holes — they require simultaneous multi-axis positioning.

Custom fixture dependency. Previously, each angled hole required a custom angle fixture or time-consuming manual setup using sine plates and protractors. A single shaft could require 6–8 different fixture configurations.

Deep hole requirements. Oil passages in propeller shafts can exceed 1,000mm in depth with diameters of 10–25mm, requiring gun drilling techniques adapted for vertical orientation.

The Solution

RuidCNC provided the RD630-V 5 Axis Vertical Deep Hole Drilling Machine with the following configuration:

• 5-axis simultaneous control — A-axis (rotary table) and C-axis (tilt table) allow the workpiece to be positioned at any compound angle for drilling
• Vertical spindle orientation — gravity-assisted chip evacuation simplifies deep hole drilling; chips fall freely from the hole
• Integrated rotary tilt table — handles workpieces up to 3,000 kg with ±0.005° positioning accuracy
• High-pressure through-spindle coolant — 100 bar system ensures effective chip removal in deep vertical holes
• Automatic tool changer — 16-position tool magazine with tool probe and automatic length offset

Key Machine Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Drilling diameter	Ø3 – Ø25 mm
Max drilling depth	600 mm
Spindle speed	0 – 12,000 rpm
Table size	Ø800 mm (rotary tilt)
Max workpiece weight	3,000 kg
Rotary axis accuracy	±0.005°
Positioning accuracy	±0.008 mm
Coolant pressure	Up to 100 bar

Results

Metric	Previous Process	RD630-V	Improvement
Setup changes per shaft	6–8	0 (single setup)	Eliminated
Total setup time per shaft	4.5 hours	25 minutes	91% reduction
Hole position accuracy	±0.05 mm	±0.015 mm	67% better
Angle accuracy	±0.2°	±0.05°	75% better
Cycle time per shaft (6 holes)	3.2 hours	1.1 hours	66% reduction
Fixture costs (annual)	$45,000	$3,500	92% reduction
Scrap from positioning errors	3.8%	0.2%	95% reduction

Process Improvement

The 5-axis vertical configuration provided several practical advantages:

• Single setup — all holes drilled in one clamping, eliminating cumulative positioning errors
• Chip evacuation — vertical orientation allowed chips to fall freely, reducing chip-related tool damage
• Loading accessibility — the vertical table design made it easier to load and secure large, heavy shafts compared to horizontal machines
• Smaller footprint — the vertical configuration required less floor space than an equivalent horizontal machine

Conclusion

The RD630-V five-axis vertical deep hole drilling machine transformed the customer’s approach to marine component manufacturing. By eliminating custom fixtures and multiple setups, the machine reduced lead times, improved accuracy, and delivered significant cost savings. The vertical orientation proved particularly advantageous for heavy marine components where chip evacuation and workpiece handling are critical concerns.