Auto and EV aluminum housings fail RFQs when the email only says “need a reamer”—while the scrap is still in create, location, or an over-integrated combo body.
This tool-role map assigns create vs finish vs integrate for automotive aluminum bores. Component family hubs stay on Applications / Automotive applications; this Resources page only maps tool jobs so RFQs state intent. No fake OEM life tables.
Map axes: create, finish, integrate
| Job | Typical tool role | Primary question |
|---|---|---|
| Create | Solid carbide drill (sometimes PCD drill concepts) | Chip exit, entry, location |
| Finish | PCD reamer | Allowance, size/finish stability |
| Integrate | PCD combination drill-reamer | Chip + parameters + volume clear? |
Process handoff: Aluminum drill → PCD reamer process. Combination pre-check: Drill-then-ream vs combination decision tree.
Valve body, transmission, EV housing—as illustrations only
Examples of where the map applies (illustration, not case metrics):
- Hydraulic / valve bodies — spool bores often finish-critical; create quality still sets location.
- Transmission / fluid housings — multi-bore families; revision control matters.
- EV motor housings — bearing seats; thin-wall and fixture effects.
Do not read these as promised tool life or cycle-time savings.
Where Si%, allowance, and runout change the cell
- Si% / alloy — abrasion vs adhesion framing: Aluminum Si% and PCD vs carbide reaming
- Allowance / pre-hole — finish cell fails if create is unstable
- Runout / stickout — both create and finish; setup article Stickout, runout & toolholders
If location scrap dominates, do not “upgrade” to combo to move the hole.
Pointer into Applications (no hub rewrite)
Use Applications and Automotive applications for scene navigation and family context. Return here when choosing drill vs ream vs combine on a named bore. Do not duplicate Solutions hub cards inside this article.
Reading the map into an RFQ line
Bad RFQ: “aluminum housing, need PCD.”
Better RFQ: “ADC12 valve body, Si% on cert, bores A/B finish IT… after carbide create; evaluate combo only if through-hole chip exit OK; annual volume …”
That sentence tells the factory which map cell you are buying. It also prevents Applications hubs and this Knowledge map from cannibalizing each other: hubs navigate scenes; this page forces tool-role clarity.
Cost per Good Part → RFQ packet
Compare routes by accepted parts: tooling, changes, scrap, reconditioning—Cost per accepted hole logic applies. Send drawing, alloy/Si%, create vs finish intent, scrap mode via Custom Cutting Tool RFQ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every EV housing a combo tool?
No—clear the decision tree first.
Where do scene pages live?
What to send?
Drawing, material/Si%, which bores, create/finish intent, machine/holder, scrap mode → RFQ.
How does this map differ from Applications hubs?
Applications navigate scenes; this page forces create/finish/integrate tool-role clarity for the RFQ line.
Related hubs: Automotive & EV powertrain · Sample validation process · Carbide drills for aluminum · Custom cutting tool RFQ.