Broaching, a machining process, seems to be the talk of the day. It
is in fact one of the most precise and highly productive metal cutting
operations that is performed today. But it is also one of those most
misunderstood ones. But to truly understand all the benefits of this
process, it is essential to take several things into consideration,
which include the various materials, methods and machines involved in
making this process successful.
This process resembles planning and shaping. In doing that the machining tool used presents a sharp cutting edge to the work piece and moves across it, thus removing a pre determined quantity of material. The factor that mainly distinguishes broaching from the other metal cutting operations is the tooling that is used. A broach process combines semi-finishing, roughing and finishing teeth, all in a single line. Although many variations of the process exist, the basic tool used is a multi-toothed axial rod, bar, or plate. This is a machining process that basically pushes or pulls a singular cutting tool called a broach over or through any surface that is being machined. Its high production, metal removal process is sometimes required to make one of kind parts.
The strengths of this technique lies in the fact that it produces parts at an extremely high rate, removes heavy amounts of stock, roughs and finishes the whole process in one single pass and permits the machining of several complex contours and simple common place shapes with equal ease. Another great advantage of this process is its economical operation. While the initial tool costs are generally higher than that incurred for other metal cutting operations, the cost per finished part is always lower because of the extremely high production rates that broaching permits. Coupled with automatic and semiautomatic parts and the handling equipment, both unskilled and semiskilled operators can be employed for executing the process, thereby further reducing operating costs.
Broaches can also make shallow cuts and also perform finish operations, often yielding way smoother surfaces than those that can be attained with other conventional metal removal processes. Some broaches also have burnishing sections which impart almost any finish desired, thus eliminating any need for grinding. In terms of factors like productivity, accuracy, repeatability and surface finish, a broach tool surpasses milling in any single plane of a work piece. There are two rudimentary types of broaches. One is surface or external and the other is internal. Surface broaches cut on the outside of any work piece, while the internal broaches change or enlarge the shape of an existing hole.
The concept of broaching can be traced way back to the early 1850s. The earliest applications were those that involved cutting keyways in pulleys and gears. After the conclusion of World War 1, it significantly contributed to the rifling of gun barrels. Modern day broach manufacturers produce tools for use in precise applications in the automobile and airlines industry and also in various metal working factories for various different purposes
This process resembles planning and shaping. In doing that the machining tool used presents a sharp cutting edge to the work piece and moves across it, thus removing a pre determined quantity of material. The factor that mainly distinguishes broaching from the other metal cutting operations is the tooling that is used. A broach process combines semi-finishing, roughing and finishing teeth, all in a single line. Although many variations of the process exist, the basic tool used is a multi-toothed axial rod, bar, or plate. This is a machining process that basically pushes or pulls a singular cutting tool called a broach over or through any surface that is being machined. Its high production, metal removal process is sometimes required to make one of kind parts.
The strengths of this technique lies in the fact that it produces parts at an extremely high rate, removes heavy amounts of stock, roughs and finishes the whole process in one single pass and permits the machining of several complex contours and simple common place shapes with equal ease. Another great advantage of this process is its economical operation. While the initial tool costs are generally higher than that incurred for other metal cutting operations, the cost per finished part is always lower because of the extremely high production rates that broaching permits. Coupled with automatic and semiautomatic parts and the handling equipment, both unskilled and semiskilled operators can be employed for executing the process, thereby further reducing operating costs.
Broaches can also make shallow cuts and also perform finish operations, often yielding way smoother surfaces than those that can be attained with other conventional metal removal processes. Some broaches also have burnishing sections which impart almost any finish desired, thus eliminating any need for grinding. In terms of factors like productivity, accuracy, repeatability and surface finish, a broach tool surpasses milling in any single plane of a work piece. There are two rudimentary types of broaches. One is surface or external and the other is internal. Surface broaches cut on the outside of any work piece, while the internal broaches change or enlarge the shape of an existing hole.
The concept of broaching can be traced way back to the early 1850s. The earliest applications were those that involved cutting keyways in pulleys and gears. After the conclusion of World War 1, it significantly contributed to the rifling of gun barrels. Modern day broach manufacturers produce tools for use in precise applications in the automobile and airlines industry and also in various metal working factories for various different purposes
