Primary process: Grinding. The full route, materials, tolerances and design tips for a slot drill, with an indicative cost.
GrindingPrimary process
AbrasiveFamily
4Route steps
+/-0.005mmTypical tol.
A slot drill is primarily made by Grinding. Grinding removes small amounts of material with an abrasive wheel to reach the tightest tolerances and best surface finish. Below is the full route to make a slot drill, the materials it suits, the tolerances to expect and the main design points. The route is free, from the finder.
Step by step
How a slot drill is made
The usual route, raw material to finished part. The amber step is where the slot drill gets its basic shape.
Rough machining
Machine the slot drill close to size, leaving grinding stock.
Tooling None Tolerance ±0.125mm, to ±0.025mm Lead 1 to 10 days
Heat treatment
Harden the slot drill first so the finished surface stays hard.
Tooling n/a Tolerance can distort Lead days
Grinding
Grind the critical surfaces to the tightest tolerance and finish.
Tooling Low (wheel) Tolerance ±0.002 to 0.02mm Lead days
Clean and inspect
Clean and measure surface finish, size and roundness.
Need the real cost for a slot drill? The free route above is yours. Unlock the full dossier to quote and source it.
Where this process typically lands. Tighter is possible with extra operations like grinding, at higher cost.
Materials
Materials for a slot drill
Grade
Why it suits this
(hardened steels)
Ground after heat-treat
Design
Design tips
General pointers. The full design-for-manufacturing list for a slot drill is in the dossier.
Grinding every surface.Grind only fit/seal faces.
No wheel run-out relief.Add a relief groove.
Cost
What a slot drill should cost
A finishing op for tight tolerance and fine finish; costed per feature onto the part. Tighter = slower.
PER-PART COST vs VOLUME
Per-part cost drops as volume spreads tooling and setup over more parts. The exact figures for a slot drill at your volume, in your currency, are in the dossier.
MODEL EST.
$10 to 29per part at 1 off
A rough ballpark only. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency, with the full breakdown.
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Everything you need to quote and source it
The free route above is yours. To actually put a number on a slot drill and buy it well:
Should-cost at your exact volume in 12 currencies, with the material, processing, tooling and overhead breakdown
Who to source from, typical MOQ and lead time, and the exact RFQ checklist to send
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A slot drill is primarily made by grinding. The route is: Rough machining; Heat treatment; Grinding; Clean and inspect.
What does a slot drill cost?
It depends on size, tolerance and volume. As a rough ballpark it starts around $10 to 29 per part at 1 off and falls with quantity. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency. A model estimate, not a quote.
What material is a slot drill made from?
Common choices are (hardened steels).
What is the main process for a slot drill?
Grinding. Hardened parts and bearing, sealing and gauge surfaces needing precision and finish.
See the exact route and should-cost for your part
The free finder maps your part to its process and full route. Pro adds should-cost at your volume, sourcing and an RFQ draft.
