Surface Broaching

What is Surface Broaching?

Surface broaching is a generic term used in the broaching industry to refer to broaching any external surface or surfaces of a piece part. The converse of surface broaching is internal broaching. Surface broaching takes on many forms and can employ several different types of machines.

Surface broaching is fast, and typically more efficient than milling. Multiple dimensions can be cut simultaneously and in complex configurations. In its simplest form, surface broaching can be used to cut slots and flats quickly and accurately.

The simplest of the surface broaching tools is the slab broach, which is used to cut completely flat surfaces. An example of a slab broach application would be cutting a locating flat on a threaded bolt.

Surface broaching takes on many other forms, some of which can be complex. In addition to cutting slots and contours on the external surfaces of parts, modular broaching can be used to cut multiple dimensions at the same time, starting at the surface and progressing deep into the interior of a part. An example of such an application is the broaching of key slots in large lock cylinders.

Straddle broaches and pot broaches are specific types of surface broaches.

Surface broaching is most easily adapted to vertical or high-speed broaching machines. Depending upon the amount of material to be removed, the depth of the cuts to be made, the complexity of the cut, and the tolerances allowed, a machine is selected based upon its length of stroke, tonnage and speed. With 24 machines to choose from, V W is well equipped to accommodate any surface broaching application.

In the case of a part requiring simple surface cuts with large tolerances, chain broaching machines can be used. If surface broaching is not the service you are looking for click here to view our broaching services.