Keyway Surface Broaches - Steelmans Broaches



Broaching is a machining process that uses a toothed tool, the broach, to remove material from a workpiece. A keyway broach is a specialized type of broach designed to cut a keyway—a slot or groove in a hub or shaft that holds a key. This key then locks a gear, pulley, or other component to the shaft, preventing relative rotation.

How Keyway Broaching Works

The process involves pushing or pulling the broach through a pre-drilled or pre-bored hole in the workpiece. The broach has a series of progressively larger cutting teeth. As the broach passes through, each tooth removes a small amount of material until the final tooth creates the finished keyway slot. Keyway broaches are typically made from high-speed steel (HSS) and are available in various sizes and shapes to accommodate different keyway standards (e.g., square, rectangular).

There are two main types of keyway broaches:

  • Push-type broaches: These are generally shorter and are pushed through the workpiece. They often require an arbor press or a dedicated broaching machine.

  • Pull-type broaches: These are longer and are pulled through the workpiece. They are typically used for longer keyways or for production runs.

Keyway broaching is a highly efficient method for creating precise keyways, offering excellent surface finish and dimensional accuracy.9 It's much faster than alternative methods like milling, especially for mass production.

Steelman Broaches and Keyway Broaches

Steelman Broaches is a brand that manufactures a range of broaching tools, including keyway broaches. Their products are designed to meet various industrial needs and are known for their durability and precision. Steelman's keyway broaches, like others in the industry, come in sets that include the broach itself, a bushing (or guide), and shims.

  • Broach: The cutting tool with the progressive teeth.

  • Bushing: A guide that fits into the bore of the workpiece, ensuring the broach is centered and aligned correctly.

  • Shims: Thin plates used to increase the cutting depth for producing deeper or non-standard keyways.

Keyway Surface Broaches

While a standard keyway broach cuts an internal slot, a keyway surface broach (also known as a surface broach) is used for cutting a keyway or slot on a flat or external surface of a workpiece. This is a form of surface broaching, a process where the broach passes along a surface rather than through a bore. Surface broaches are often used in automated broaching machines for high-volume production of external features, such as splines or complex contours. The design of these broaches is more varied, as they are tailored to specific part geometries. 

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