Broaching
Glossary · Machining Operations
At a glance
- Category /
- Machining Operations
- Related /
- 3 terms
- Source /
- Written in the shop
Broaching pushes or pulls a long, stepped cutting tool through or across a workpiece so that every tooth removes a little more material and the finished shape is produced in a single stroke.
In practice
Each successive tooth on the broach stands slightly proud of the one before it, so the full profile is cut progressively in one pass. It is the standard way to produce internal keyways, splines and square or hexagonal holes.
Why it matters
Broaching is fast and highly repeatable once the tool exists, and the tool is expensive and specific. That economics is why a standard keyway is cheap and an unusual internal form is not.
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