Rotary broaching on a CNC machine is a machining process that involves cutting a non-round shape or profile into a workpiece using a specialized cutting tool called a rotary broach. This process is commonly used to create hexagonal or other polygonal shapes on parts, such as bolts or screws.
To perform rotary broaching on a CNC machine, the workpiece is mounted on a rotary table or fixture, and the rotary broaching tool is mounted in the CNC machine’s spindle. As the spindle rotates, the broach is fed into the workpiece at a predetermined speed and depth to create the desired shape.
The process of rotary broaching on a CNC machine offers several advantages, including increased accuracy, speed, and consistency of the broached features. It is also a cost-effective alternative to other machining processes, such as milling or turning, that would require multiple setups and tool changes to create the same features.
To ensure successful rotary broaching on a CNC machine, proper setup and tool selection are essential. The workpiece and broach must be aligned correctly to avoid damage to either component, and the cutting conditions must be optimized to ensure accurate and consistent results.