Drilling holes that are broken into each other

[jeuclide]

Does anyone have a tip or sequence for drilling holes in say a plate that are broken into one another? The software defaults to drill diameters which is great but when hole are instersecting each other it will only do the holes that are actually complete holes. I know you can pick axis of each hole but that will be cumbersome with lots of holes say 100-600 at times. I use this for a standard fixture style we build here if anyone was wondering why there are so many holes. I will try to attach a pic of what i seeing on my end for clarity.

Jeff

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[SteveLucas]

Jeff,

In situations where the holes run together I will drill the holes that I can get the drill into without braking out then mill the holes that break into the drilled holes. I will either drill the holes with a endmill with a small peck depth. or circle mill them as if they were a bore again with a small step depth. Depends on the quantity and diameter. you can also helical mill them, but that requires a lot of messing around becaause the hole is not complete.

Steve

[SteveLucas]

By the way that is a standard fixture? Wow as far as selecting the holes you are stuck with selecting axis or make a drill group and select diameters maybe that would select them all. Do you drill them with carbide drills ?

[jeuclide]

We do drill with carbides. We are devopling a way to do this using 3D versus 2D it is getting complicated to say the least. After screwing around a bit i found that you can select axis from layers but might just machine them due to the fact they are just clearance holes. Any more ideas welcome. Thanks!!

Jeff

[SteveLucas]

Would it be possible to use 1 large diameter drill where the holes are clustered together to cover them all? you could create an axis on the center of like a cluster of three holes then say drill thru all on that axis and take care of it that way?