Machining/Drilling of Composites

Machining and drilling processes in composites present unique challenges due to the heterogeneous nature of these materials. Composite structures, often composed of different layers and materials, require specialized techniques to maintain integrity and precision during machining or drilling. Traditional methods used for metals can cause delamination, fiber pullout, or damage to the composite structure. Therefore, specialized tools, such as diamond or carbide-tipped equipment, and specific cutting parameters are employed to ensure clean cuts without compromising the material's integrity.

Modular, hybrid machining centers with intelligence for complex composites
Finishing & Fastening

Modular, hybrid machining centers with intelligence for complex composites

Machine Tool Camp’s purpose-built systems combine CNC machine centers and robots with specialized machining tools, clamping and configuration, automating steps before and after, including data integration, to empower manufacturers for the future.

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Greenerd Compression Molding
Toray Advanced Composites hi-temperature materials

Latest Machining/Drilling Articles

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Fives, Prestige Equipment partnership expands customer options for equipment life cycle management

Metal and composites manufacturers will be more comprehensively supported with high-quality used machine tools, asset recovery and modernization.

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Sustainability

Ideko participates in ROBOCOMP project for flexible, zero-emissions aerospace manufacturing

Precision and digitization contributions replacing heavy machinery with flexible robotic cells enable critical machining operations on carbon fiber parts and other production processes to be adapted and scaled.

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Aerospace

Portal milling machine investment enables Sawyer Composites’ turnkey project success

Sawyer Composites overcomes accuracy and downtime issues when designing, engineering and manufacturing composite tooling and structures using Zimmermann’s FZU22 system.

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All-CFRP, 125-foot-long Nomad 7 sailing catamaran to be launched in 2026

SNAPSHOT: SMM Composites, Multiplast and Avel Robotics work together on the vessel’s massive carbon fiber composite structures being built at FC Cube shipyard in France.

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Thermwood launches You Betcha video series 

Each episode is designed to be informative, approachable and rooted in real production needs, offering clear, practical insight into what Thermwood CNC machining systems can do.

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Carbon Fibers

Orbex makes part setup 900% faster for key composite parts ahead of inaugural rocket launch

The introduction of MSP metrology products have ensured right-first-time machining for Orbex as it ramps up production of its carbon fiber Payload Avionic Module.

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Hydraulic & Pneumatic Presses
Industrial CNC Routers
precision-engineered heating solutions
Turn-Key Pultrusion Systems
precision-engineered heating solutions

Latest Machining/Drilling News And Updates

Core

Mel Composites materials, technical support enhances Aresa fishing vessel production efficiency

Mel delivered pre-processed structural components and engineering support for the four commercial vessels, reducing build time through workflow optimization and CNC-cut Aircell HR80 core integration.

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Carbon Fibers

MSP CNC metrology cuts Leonardo tiltrotor blade production time from 20 weeks to 3 days

Advanced manufacturing metrology demonstrates its prowess in addressing complex composite machining issues, increasing Leonardo’s carbon fiber part productivity by more than 4,500%, and eliminating scrap and fixture reliance.

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UKAM Industrial Superhard Tools launches diamond and CBN dicing blades

Smart Cut technology blades deliver clean, high-precision cutting quality for ceramics, composites and other advanced materials.

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Trelleborg invests in Innovation Center expansion, remodel

An additional purpose-built space in Delano, Minnesota, by early 2027 adds a visitor center, Swiss machining, injection molding and increased space for automation.

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CAMX

Five-axis CNC reliably cuts, drills, mills and saws composites

CAMX 2025: C.R. Onsrud reinforces its ability to produce well-engineered, durable CNCs for composites machining with the Q-Series.

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Automation

Smart composites equipment advances aerocomposites innovation

CAMX 2025: From fiber to flight, Broetje-Automation innovates composites manufacturing with integrated AFP, drilling and sealing technologies.

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ELFOAM rigid foam products
CompositesWorld Top Shops
Alpha Technologies' ESR polymer testing instrument
ACMA's Thermoplastic Composites Conference
CAMX 2026

Featured Posts

Plant tour: FACC AG, Jakovlje, Croatia

Part of its long-term global strategy, Plant 6 is not just a single facility, but FACC’s Aircraft Interiors Center of Excellence, key for increased production, new composite technology for interiors flexibility and future growth.

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Sustainability

Addressing rivet hole drilling challenges for aerospace composites

Kennametal explores technological advancements in composite drilling, including stacked laminates, to meet aerospace applications and sustainability challenges.

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Aerospace

Seven tips for machining composite aerospace components

Machining composite materials is a dusty, arduous and abrasive process that is hard on cutting tools, requiring the right combination of strategies and know-how to properly navigate their dynamics.

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VIDEO: Robots enable nine-axis machining of composites

Machine Tool Camp displayed its hybrid machining center at CAMX, featuring nine-axis machining capability enabled by robotics. 

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Core

VIDEO: Precision fabrication of honeycomb materials

MachineTek showcases its precision fabrication of honeycomb materials at CAMX 2024.

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Developing milling for CMC because grinding takes too long

Economical processes that can cut machining time by 70% are being tested on aeroengine turbine blade demonstrators by Hufschmied and DLR in the SCANCUT project.

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JEC World 2026
Thermwood LSAM Elevate Precision Beyond Scale
Zund cutting solutions
PTXPO 26
Visit Exel Composites at JEC World 2026