The keyway broaching method is usually used to cut into small metal parts in large volumes and measured in millimeters. While keyholes for locks are shaped from keyway broaching, the process is mostly done to produce pulleys, gears, small wheels, gun components and tools like wrenches, fasteners and bushings. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Isotech, Inc.
Hatfield, PA | 800-314-3332Since 1982, Isotech has been a leader in the broaching industry. You can trust the accuracy of these solutions, and the experts at Isotech are always available to assist you with your needs. Feel free to contact them today to learn more information!
Toolamation, Inc.
Kenosha, WI | 262-764-3503Toolamation, Inc. specializes in complete high-volume production broaching services. We have the capacity to produce many millions of parts annually. On-site tumbling, deburring, & sharp edge removal services. Fast turn-around. We also offer a range of screw machine tooling products.
AmTech International
Freehold, NJ | 732-972-5400AmTech International is a leading manufacturer in the broaching industry. Our broaching machine production has a capability range from 2T-50T and up to 72? of stroke. We serve a variety of industries, including automotive, power transmission applications, and electronics. Metals that we use for broaching include stainless steel, brass, copper, and carbon steel.
Precision Gears, Inc.
Pewaukee, WI | 262-542-2461For over 100 years, Precision Gears, Inc. has been a leader in the broaching industry. We can work with widths from .063” up to 1”. Precision Gears has a wide variety of materials, including ductile iron, carbon steel, aluminum, and alloy steel. Industries we serve include medical, packaging, construction, and machinery.
Pioneer Broach Company
Los Angeles, CA | 800-621-1945Pioneer Broach Company is premier vendor of quality rotary broaching cutting tools. We specialize in custom spline, serration and hexalobular shaped rotary or wobble broaches, and also offer a complete line of standard hex and square rotary broach tools. Our new rotary broaching toolholder is designed for all modern CNC machines, mills and lathes.
Keyway Broaching - Avon Broach and Production CompanyKeyseaters also make blind spots, which are slots that don't extend all the way though the whole work-piece, as well as other straight-sided features. The keyhole shape is round with a square cut out at the top. Like all broaching, keyway broaching generates a large amount of excess metal material, which can usually be re-used to form new metal products.
Keyway Broaching - Avon Broach and Production CompanyThe broaching process is usually done in the same facility that fabricates the product and is used as a post-forming process. If a company does not want to invest the money in keyseater machines, or any other broaching machines, they can always go to a broaching shop to get their products produced in a cost-effective and stress-free manner.
Keyway broached products are generally smaller in size, but there is virtually no limit to the dimensions of the part or product being worked on.
All keyway broaching machines are CNC operated electromechanical machines that are composed of a long, skinny tool that has a series of progressively larger sharp teeth that cut through metal and a ram. The tool, called a broach, moves linearly and uses the series of teeth that are arranged to cut the metal in a specific shape.
Keyway broaching can be done to metals with hardness less than Rockwell 35, but very soft metals like brass, copper and aluminum run into problems as well, including depth drift and a poor finish. The process requires a large amount of lubrication, which is provided by water, oil, a water soluble coolant or tap cutting fluid. In order to cut a keyhole shape, the machinery requires support from a broach horn, which is a fixture that supports the broach in a shared circular hole.
In order to effectively cut a keyhole shape, the keyseater must have a rigid set up, as well as proper alignment of the broach tool, work-piece and ram. The process involves turning the broach so the teeth face the back of the press, let the bushing protrude above the work-piece for support alignment, and centering the broach under the ram at the beginning of the cut.
Keyhole broaching machines also have a guiding system above the work-piece to minimize deflection and increase the cutting tolerances.
