Piloted Reamers
A piloted reamer is a cutting tool used to enlarge and finish existing holes with high precision and accuracy. Its distinguishing feature is the pilot, a cylindrical extension at the front end that guides the reamer and ensures it remains centered within the existing hole.
How Piloted Reamers Work:
Design:
Pilot: The pilot is slightly smaller in diameter than the reamer's cutting flutes and fits snugly into the pre-drilled or pre-bored hole. This acts as a guide to maintain alignment and prevent the reamer from wandering off-center.
Cutting Flutes: These are helical or straight grooves along the reamer's body with sharp cutting edges. They remove material as the reamer rotates, gradually enlarging the hole to the desired size.
Body: The body connects the pilot and cutting flutes, providing rigidity and support during operation.
Shank: The shank is the part that attaches to the machine or tool holder.
Cutting Action:
The pilot is inserted into the existing hole, ensuring precise alignment.
As the reamer rotates, the cutting flutes engage the workpiece, gradually enlarging the hole while maintaining concentricity with the pilot hole.
The pilot acts as a guide, ensuring the finished hole is perfectly aligned with the original hole.