What Is Broaching Machinery?
Broaching machinery is a specialized machine tool that utilizes a broach to perform precise cutting operations. This technique is notable for its ability to efficiently process internal and external surfaces through a single tool pass, making it highly productive for manufacturing various parts, particularly in the automotive and aerospace industries.
However, due to the high cost of broaching equipment and tools, this method is less economical for small production runs.
Uses of Broaching Machinery
Broaching machinery excels in applications requiring precise keyways, splines, and gears, commonly found in automobile and aircraft parts. It can perform a range of operations, including cutting internal holes and shaping external surfaces, with exceptional efficiency and accuracy.
Principle of Broaching Machinery
The effectiveness of broaching is largely dependent on the design and precision of the broach itself. Despite the high cost and specificity of broaches, their integrated design from roughing to finishing ensures high machining accuracy and productivity.
Types of Broaching Machinery
1. Classification by Machining
Broaching machines are categorized based on their applications into internal, surface, and double-sided broaching machinery, each designed for specific broaching tasks such as cutting internal surfaces or forming external grooves.
2. Classification by Structure
From a structural perspective, broaching machines are either vertical or horizontal. Vertical types are compact and commonly used, while horizontal machines are preferred for surface machining and can accommodate larger strokes.
3. Classification by Broach Moving Method
Based on the movement of the broach, machines are distinguished as either pulling or pushing types, indicating the direction in which the broach is moved during operation.
4. Classification by Driving Method
Broaching machines operate either hydraulically or mechanically, with hydraulic systems being prevalent for their ability to apply consistent force, reducing wear on the tool.
Features of Broaching Machinery
Advantages
Broaching machinery offers high productivity by enabling complex machining in a single pass, high reproducibility for mass production, and the capability to perform unique processes not possible with other methods.
Disadvantages
The main drawbacks are the cost-effectiveness for small production volumes and the inability to machine non-through parts.