Thermal friction drilling systems from Flowdrill Inc. (www.flowdrill.com) produce perfectly formed collars in malleable metals by using a combination of speed of rotation and pressure to locally heat ...

Melting holes is sometimes a better option than drilling them. Thermal drilling relies on friction from a carbide bit to melt and extrude metal and form a hole. The process leaves a thicker lip around ...

As people and machines age, MIT says the study of tribology is necessary. Friction and wear pose enormous challenges to 21st Century mechanical and electromechanical systems. By one estimate, 6% of ...