How often should you stop to check the drill bit when drilling through composite material?

When drilling through composite material, it is important to monitor the drill bit's condition regularly to ensure optimal performance and prevent damage to both the bit and the material. Checking the drill bit every 5th hole is a prudent practice because it strikes a balance between efficiency and safety. Frequent checks help detect wear or damage that can affect drilling quality, such as dullness or chipping.

Composites can be particularly sensitive to heat and pressure, which means a worn drill bit can lead to poor hole quality and potentially compromise the integrity of the material. In contrast, checking every hole or every 2nd hole might be excessive and time-consuming without providing significant benefits, while checking every 10th hole may allow too many holes to be drilled with a potentially ineffective bit, risking damage to the material and the need for rework. Therefore, checking every 5th hole ensures that you maintain a proper function of the drill bit while optimizing the workflow.