Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal

Improving drilling efficiency and ensuring stable tool life are key challenges in modern manufacturing.

This article introduces Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal’s solid carbide drill series for engineers looking to reduce machining costs.

Recommended
Applications
for Sumitomo
Electric Hardmetal

Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal offers cost-effective solid carbide drills designed to reduce tool wear and chip buildup. The combination of wear-resistant coatings and internal coolant delivery enhances tool life and machining stability.

These drills are ideal for a wide range of industries that require reliable, uninterrupted operation.

Note: Performance may vary depending on cutting conditions such as speed, feed rate, coolant, and machine rigidity.

How to Choose Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal Carbide Drills

Non-Ferrous Materials

Recommended: MULTIDRILL MDA Series

If you mainly machine aluminum or other non-ferrous materials, the MULTIDRILL MDA series is designed for high-accuracy drilling with long tool life.

It is suitable for aluminum casting alloys, 7075 aluminum, and 5052 aluminum. RD thinning improves self-centering, while wide double margins help reduce hole deflection.

AURORA Coat X improves surface finish and helps reduce chip adhesion, making this series a good choice for aerospace and automotive parts that require accurate, clean holes.

Best Suited For

• Aluminum casting alloys
• 7075 aluminum and other Al-Zn-Mg alloys
• 5052 aluminum and other Al-Mg alloys
• Aerospace parts
• Automotive components
• Applications requiring hole position accuracy

Available Lineup

• Diameter 1.0–3.0 mm (approx. 0.039–0.118"): 3D, 5D, 10D, 15D, 20D
• Diameter 3.1–12.0 mm (approx. 0.122–0.472"): 3D, 5D, 10D

High-Efficiency Steel Drilling

Recommended: MULTIDRILL MDH Series

If your priority is faster drilling in steel or cast iron, the MULTIDRILL MDH series is designed for high-efficiency machining at stable feed rates.

Its HF coating combines wear and heat resistance, while RP thinning and large chip pockets reduce cutting resistance and support smooth chip evacuation.

This makes the MDH series suitable for carbon steel, alloy steel, tempered steel, cast iron, and ductile iron. In cylinder part machining, the drill achieved a 56% reduction in cycle time.

Best Suited For

• High-efficiency drilling
• Carbon steel
• Alloy steel
• Tempered steel
• Cast iron
• Ductile iron
• Applications requiring shorter cycle time

Available Lineup

• MDH-S04H03 / S04H05 / S04H08 Series: Diameter 3.0–4.0 mm (approx. 0.118–0.157"), 3×D / 5×D / 8×D
• MDH-S06H03 / S06H05 / S06H08 Series: Diameter 4.1–6.0 mm (approx. 0.161–0.236"), 3×D / 5×D / 8×D
• MDH-S08H03 / S08H05 / S08H08 Series: Diameter 6.1–8.0 mm (approx. 0.240–0.315"), 3×D / 5×D / 8×D
• MDH-S10H03 / S10H05 / S10H08 Series: Diameter 8.1–10.0 mm (approx. 0.319–0.394"), 3×D / 5×D / 8×D
• MDH-S12H03 / S12H05 / S12H08 Series: Diameter 10.1–12.0 mm (approx. 0.398–0.472"), 3×D / 5×D / 8×D
• MDH-S14H03 / S14H05 / S14H08 Series: Diameter 12.1–14.0 mm (approx. 0.476–0.551"), 3×D / 5×D / 8×D

General Steel Drilling

Recommended: NeXEO MDE Series

If your shop handles many types of steel, the NeXEO MDE series is a general-purpose solid carbide drill for stable machining across a wide material range.

Its TiAlCrSi-based NX coating and ACT100 fine-grain carbide substrate support wear resistance, heat resistance, and long tool life. This helps reduce tool changes in production sites that process diverse parts.

RX thinning and an arc-shaped cutting edge help break chips and reduce cutting forces. The internal-coolant double-margin design also improves hole accuracy and helps prevent chip packing.

Best Suited For

• General steel drilling
• Mild and low-carbon steel
• Medium-carbon steel
• Alloy steel
• Tempered steel
• Stainless steel
• Cast iron and ductile iron
• Pre-hardened steel
• Automotive parts and mold machining

Available Lineup

• MDE-H Series (internal coolant): 1.0–20.0 mm (0.039–0.787"), 3D / 5D / 8D
• MDE-E Series (external coolant): 1.0–20.0 mm (0.039–0.787"), 2D / 4D
• MDE-EH Series (hub machining): 8.8–13.97 mm (0.346–0.550"), 2D

For more detailed technical information and product comparisons, visit our special feature on carbide drills for stainless steel.
The page highlights three top manufacturers with proven strengths in stainless steel machining, including in-depth coverage of recommended tools for this demanding material.

After-Sales Support
from Sumitomo
Electric Hardmetal

Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal provides comprehensive technical supportthrough its Tool Engineering Center (TEC).
Across multiple global locations—including the U.S.—TEC offers machining trials, performance evaluations, technical consultations, and remote support via TEC Live.

Training seminars and educational programs are also available to support process optimization and problem-solving at the production site.

Company Information

Address	1-1-1, Koyakita, Itami, Hyogo 664-0016
Phone Number	Manufacturing Sites (USA) Chicago-Headquarters：+1-847-635-0044 Detroit Branch：+1-248-374-0434 / +1-248-374-0435 Indianapolis Branch：+1-317-859-1601 Manufacturing Sites (USA) Wisconsin：+1-262-938-6700 Ohio：+1-440-354-0600
Official Website	https://www.sumitool.com/en/