Broaching the subject

WNT (UK)'s new broaching system, designed for use on CNC lathes and machining centres, is allowing users to totally eliminate separate broaching operations, and reduce manufacturing costs, the company claims.

The recently introduced range includes solid carbide tools (type NPU), certain sizes of which are compatible with WNT's existing Mini-Cut toolholders and a range of indexable insert type tools (type NPV) – with both being available to cut class C11 (DIN138), Class JS9 (DIN 6885) and Class P9 (DIN 6885) grooves.

The tools are available in a variety of widths ranging from a nominal 4mm through to 10mm, with special widths available to order, using the order form provided in the WNT (UK) catalogue supplement.

Clamping mechanism design for the indexable NPV type inserts is such that it overcomes one of the key issues with existing broaching systems, namely insert breakage. As a result cutting data can be increased and typically, when broaching a 42CrMo4 850N/mm² steel, the feedrate will be 7,200mm/minute at a depth of cut of 0.072mm.

The system is designed for use on lathes, machining centres and, in particular, sliding head lathes, where slots that would normally be produced on standalone machine tools can now be completed in a single set-up.

“In developing this series of broaching tools WNT has addressed many of the issues that were raised by users of this type of tool. They can now confidently produce slots and grooves to precise tolerances and by eliminating second operations the overall accuracy of components is improved,” says Adrian Fitts, business development manager, WNT (UK).

By broaching as part of an existing machine cycle users can also provide a more cost-effective solution to their customers. For example, economical batch quantity for the process is now one-off, allowing work to be taken on that may previously have been turned down, due to the requirement of subcontract broaching. And, with the interchangeability of the inserts and the rapid availability of special width inserts subcontractors can react quickly to changes to their customers' requirements.

WNT
www.wnt.com