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
Diamond Broaching Services, LLC
Warren, MI | 586-757-5131Diamond Broaching Service LLC showcases its value to its customers and the industry through quality customer service. The new team of Engineers and Machinists continue to provide the same high quality broaching services that our customers have depended on for over 70 years. With over 400 Broaching Tools in our inventory, we can respond quickly to provide the following shapes in just about all components. Call today!
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.
Miller Broach, Inc.
Capac, MI | 810-395-8810ISO-Certified, we’re known for superior quality, competitive pricing, & fast delivery. We specialize in low and high volume broaching of small and large parts out of almost any material. We design, engineer, & manufacture custom broach tools to meet your precision requirements. Contact us today for cost-saving tool maintenance programs such as reconditioning and re-sharpening of your broach tools.
Alliance Broach & Tool, Inc.
East China, MI | 810-765-5755With over 40 years of broach building experience, we have become specialized in manufacturing and engineering of broach tools in many shapes and sizes. Our manufacturing department has complete in house broach building capability. We provide broach manufacturing and reconditioning.
Sturdy Broaching Service
Warren, MI | 586-779-2243With over 70 years of broach building experience, we have become the number one broaching source for leading industrial organizations in Southeast Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. Our manufacturing department has complete in-house broach building capability. We take pride in our reputation for speed, quality, and competitive pricing. Contact Sturdy Broaching today to learn more!
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.
