L3 Series Drill Point Dies: Catalog Geometry and Selection Checks
L3 drill point dies for #6–#14 / ST3.5–ST6.3, with 2.7–5.7 mm drill diameters in the ZLD catalog. Compare geometry, materials and production requirements.
L3 in the ZLD Catalog
The current ZLD L3 catalog covers #6–#14 (ST3.5–ST6.3) with drill diameters of 2.7–5.7 mm. Choose a specific code, flute length and style from the product specification table; a series number alone does not determine the finished screw’s drilling capacity.
So why does the L3 exist as a separate series?
The catalog distinguishes L2 and L3 by the selected point geometry, including flute length. For the same nominal screw size, consult the actual codes and drawing rather than assigning universal steel-gauge limits to either series.
Compare flute length, width, depth, point angle and web geometry on the approved drawing. The L3 name does not guarantee a split point, deeper flute, special rake angle or a particular reduction in installation thrust.
Checking Finished-Screw Drilling Requirements
Substrate and Installation Conditions
Thicker material can increase drilling travel and chip volume, but heat, thrust and drilling time depend on material, geometry, speed and feed. Validate them on the finished screw; they do not describe the forming die’s operating conditions.
Neither an L2 nor an L3 label predicts stalling or overheating. Evaluate sample screws under the specified installation procedure and record drilling time, chip clearance and thread engagement.
Evaluate the finished point’s flute profile, cutting edges and web against the approved drawing. Test chip clearance, thrust and drilling time on the specified assembly. A split point or a particular rake angle must be specified and reproduced by the selected tooling; neither follows from the L3 name.
Specifications at a Glance
| Parameter | L3 Series Range |
|---|---|
| IFI Sizes | #6–#14 |
| DIN Sizes | ST3.5–ST6.3 |
| Drill Diameter | 2.7–5.7 mm |
| Materials Available | Tungsten Carbide (TC), High-Speed Steel (HSS) |
| Target Substrate | Confirm the finished-screw rating and tests |
| Typical Production Speed | Establish the pointing cycle through trials |
| Primary Standards | IFI 113, DIN 7504 |
| Key Differentiator | Confirm flute length and geometry for the selected code |
The size and diameter ranges are from the ZLD product catalog. L-series names are manufacturer designations, not universal IFI/DIN drilling-capacity classes. The finished screw must be tested for its specified substrate and installation conditions.
L2 vs. L3: When to Use Which
Choose the series whose actual catalog geometry can reproduce the approved point drawing. Both L2 and L3 offer overlapping nominal screw sizes; confirm dimensions, styles and flute lengths for the chosen code.
Compare samples on the specified substrate, including all layers and gaps. Drilling success alone is insufficient for a load-bearing joint: also verify thread engagement and applicable connection performance.
Material Options
Tungsten Carbide
Carbide can be considered for suitable wear conditions and a stable process. The die contacts the wire blank, not the plate drilled later. A thicker installation substrate does not establish that a carbide die is required or that L3 needs a sharper point than L2.
Ask the carbide supplier to select a documented grade for the actual forming load, alignment and wire. Grain size and binder content interact; a universal 1.0–1.5 μm or 10–12% cobalt recipe, or a blanket prohibition on ultrafine grades, is not supported here.
High-Speed Steel
HSS is also a production candidate where its grade, heat treatment and toughness suit the process. Compare measured wear, chipping, changeover cost and accepted output with carbide; there is no universal second-choice status or 20,000-piece limit.
Primary Applications
Steel Building Construction
Possible steel-building attachments require a specifically rated screw and approved joint design. Purlin, column, bracing and primary-frame connections cannot be assigned to L3 solely from steel gauge.
The finished fastener must meet its specified drilling and connection requirements on the actual steel grade and thickness. Confirm the geometry through drawings and tests rather than treating L3 as the only compliant option.
Industrial Equipment and Machinery
For enclosures, guards and access panels, confirm the actual fastener rating, tool settings and joint requirements. L3 alone does not guarantee lower installation thrust.
Heavy Commercial HVAC
Air-handling housings and ventilation assemblies can have different material thicknesses and coatings. Select the finished fastener by its rated application, then specify the die geometry; the HVAC use does not assign L1 or L3 automatically.
Multi-Layer Sheet Metal Assemblies
For multilayer assemblies, record individual and combined thicknesses, gaps, hardness and required thread engagement. Confirm sufficient flute length and test the real assembly; adding nominal sheet thicknesses does not establish an L3 capacity class.
Production Tips for L3 Dies
1. Confirm Blank Length and Volume
Determine blank length and volume from the approved forming drawing and trials. A change in flute length or shape may require a different blank. Underfill can also result from load, lubrication or alignment; do not diagnose it from series or blank length alone.
2. Forming Force Calibration
Calibrate forming force for the actual wire, blank, cavity and machine. Do not increase it by an assumed 10–20% when changing from L2 to L3. Inspect filling and symmetry, then establish safe settings with the equipment and tooling suppliers.
3. Control Wire and Blank Consistency
Control incoming wire properties and blank dimensions before pointing. Conventional carbon-steel screws are typically pointed before subsequent hardening; the finished screw’s specified surface hardness is not the incoming blank hardness. Material-specific routes, including stainless and bimetal designs, require their own process validation.
4. Invest in Drill Performance Testing
Agree dimensional sampling and finished-screw drilling tests with the customer’s control plan. All series require appropriate quality control; L3 does not inherently provide certified performance data that L1 and L2 lack.
5. Consider Coating the Dies
PVD coating may help with a verified friction or adhesion problem, provided the substrate, preparation, thickness and geometry remain suitable. Compare coated and uncoated matched trials at the same conditions. No universal 30–50% life improvement is established.
The Bottom Line
L3 is a catalog option with geometry that overlaps nominal sizes available in other series. Select by the actual point drawing and verified fastener performance, not screw size or substrate gauge alone.
Confirm catalog code, machine compatibility, wire condition and trial results with the supplier. Cost and performance must be compared for the actual application; the L3 name alone does not establish an advantage over L2.
Comparing an L3 catalog code with your screw drawing? View our product specifications or reach out to our technical team with the point dimensions, machine interface and finished-screw test requirements.
WHEN YOU ARE READY
Get a Die Recommendation for Your Screw
Share your screw size, drawing, sample photo, or drilling thickness. Our engineering team can help identify the relevant drill-point die specification before quotation.