Microwave Drilling

Submitted by :-
Anurag Singh 09119011
Arun Kumar 09119012
Ashok Meena 09119013
Bhawani Singh Meena 09119015
 Introduction
Non-Traditional Machining Processes have
overcome many problems that occur with
traditional Mechanical Processes .
Still, research is going on for other better
techniques.
Microwave Drilling is one of these ;
E.Jerby and his team members have
explored this technique for Drilling into
Hard Non-Conductive Materials(2001);
and Drilling of Bones(2006).
The Microwave-Drill Concept

The key principle of microwave-

drilling concept is the
concentration of microwave
energy into a small spot, much
smaller than the microwave
wavelength itself.

This is done by a near-field

microwave concentrator, which is
brought to contact with the material
Fig.1 Simplified principle scheme of the
microwave drill
 The concentrator pin itself is then
inserted into the molten hot spot and
shapes its boundaries.
Finally, the concentrator is pulled
out from the drilled hole, and the
material cools down in its new shape.
The process does not require fast
rotating parts, and it makes no dust
and no noise.
Microwave Drill Apparatus
Power supply for Magnetron (0-2kW)
2.45GHz magnetron
Isolator
Reflectometer with incident and reflected
power indicators
and an E-H tuner.
Microwave Drill device
A compact version of
(600W)Microwave Drill

This tool is much more compact than the

laboratory setup, but is not less effective.
 Application
Of
Microwave Drilling
Microwave Drilling of
Bones
Drilling in bone is a common surgical procedure, which may be
required during preparation for insertion of a fixative orthopedic
implant such as nail, screw or wire or before insertion of a bone
graft(procedure that replaces missing bone in order to repair bone
fractures that are extremely complex) to enhance bone healing.

Debris around the hole after mechanical drilling in vitro in cortical bone
of chicken femora.
Mechanical Rotary Drill used is efficient but it has several
drawbacks including debris and chips spread resulting in foreign-
body-reactions which delays bone healing, substantial hematoma at
the drilling site, heat generation, difficulties in attaining geometrical
accuracy, rupture of the vasculature at drilling site and wobbling.
 Microwave Drilling of bones
Apparatus:-
1. Microwave energy is concentrated in a small hot spot in
front of the drilling bit, thus enabling its insertion into
the bone.

A motion detector installed on the microwave drill bit indicated the depth
of penetration into the bone.
 Results of Optical
Microscopy:-
The hole geometry in
microwave-drilled samples
(c) is substantially
smoother than in
mechanically
drilled samples (a).
Specifically, the
mechanically drilled holes
are
characterized by sharp
fragments that were still
attached to the hole
surface. Scratches around
the mechanically drilled
holes were also identified
(b).
Result of SEM
Typical defects in
mechanical drilling are
as follows:-

large fragment of
bone partially
detached from the
hole surface (arrow
A).

sharp bone edges

still attached to the
contour of the hole
(arrow C).

Large scratches are

there in 3rd figure.
Typical imperfections in
microwave drilling are as
follows:-

strut-like elements
around the hole
perimeter (arrow B) .

small lumps (region

D), which were
apparently formed by
melted bone minerals.
Process Capabilities
A 2 mm diameter bit, drilled a 2 cm
deep hole in concrete in about 1 min.
Enables making delicate holes and
cuts(down to o.5 mm diameter).
Dia 0.5 to 5 mm.
Depth up to 3 cm.
larger diameter and deep holes can be
produced by cyclic microwave drilling
operation.
Fig :- 13 mm diameter 10 mm depth hole made in a
concrete slab by a cyclic microwave drilling operation
 Mechanical Laser based Microwave
drills drills drilling
Main effect Grinding by Evaporation by Melting
mechanical infraRED (softening) by
friction RADIATION microwave
Mechanical Yes No Yes
contact
Mechanical Fast rotation No Insertion, slow
motion rotation

Radiation No Far field Near

field(localized)
Wavelength - Short (~10 ^-5 Long (~10^-1 m)
m)
Pollution Dust Vapor Microwave
radiation
diameter 10^-3 10^0 m 10^-6 10^-3 m 10^-3 10^-2 m

Cost Low High medium

Advantages
Noiseless operation.
Mechanism has no vibrating or rotating
part and it not produce any debris particle.
Relatively quick and geometrically precise
(no mechanical wobbling is involved)
Capable to create holes in concrete,
ceramic, silicon, basalt and glass , as well
as plastic and woods
Apparatus is less expensive than any laser
based drill .
Disadvantages
Burr present in the hole.
Extra screening is required to protect
the operator.
Pollution because of radiation.
References:-
Drilling into Hard Non-Conductive Materials by
Localized Microwave Radiation by E.Jerby and
V.Dikhtyar.

Microwave Drilling of Bones by Yael Eshet, Ronit

Rachel Mann, Abby Anaton, Tomer Yacoby, Amit
Gefen, Member, IEEE, and Eli Jerby*, Member,
IEEE
Thank You