The Polygon Rotary Broaching Solution
Broaching is a well known process used for manufacturing flat, round, polygon and irregular machined surfaces. Both internal and external surfaces can be shaped by this process. Internal broaching requires a starting hole for the cutting tool to be inserted. Along with the many conventional types of broaching, rotary or wobble internal broaching is widely popular today on lathes and other CNC machines.
A conventional broach is designed with a pilot or guide end, roughing teeth, semi-finishing teeth and finishing teeth. Each of the teeth removes minor amounts of material until the complete form is accomplished. Secondary machines are commonly required to guide these cutters into the work piece. Surface finishes produced by broaches are relatively smooth for a machining operation, but can be improved by adding non-cutting or burnishing teeth to the end of the broach.
The rotary broach solution is ideal for cutting smaller shapes and sizes that are not very deep. A typical hexagon or other polygon shape in the fastening end of a screw is a good example. The obvious advantage of installing a rotary broach tool holder into a lathe or screw machine is that it can be done without moving the work piece to a second machine. On-machine broaching creates savings in set-up, labor, time, machinery, power, and support materials. Another advantage is that the rotary broach only uses one set of teeth, resulting in fast cycle times and less tool set-up and maintenance.
The broach is held on center at a one degree angle and is driven by the work piece. The angle makes the cutting point of the tool rotate from one corner of the polygon to the next in a continuous motion. As the broach is fed into the work piece, the polygon shape is cut in one cycle. Chips can be removed from the bottom of blind holes after the broaching is completed. These machined forms are very accurate, and the surface finish is almost always acceptable for this type of operation.
Polygon Solutions Inc. is manufacturing a variety of standard and special rotary broach tools for your lathe or CNC machining applications. Polygon’s high standard for quality and superior craftsmanship add value to each of our products and yours. Please contact us so that we can work together on your next polygon broaching solution.
