POT BROACHING: HIGH-PRODUCTION GEAR CUTTING.

Pot broaching provides a very economical method available for producing precision external spur gears, involute splines, serrations, and many special and interrupted tooth configurations. Some are machined two at a time at production rates of up to 510 pcs/hr. Compared with gear hobbing, pot broached teeth can be produced faster and with finer finishes. The process is capable of achieving an AGMA class 9 quality level. In the process, the toolholder (pot) is stationary and oriented in an inverted position. Parts are machined by either pushing or pulling them up through the broach at speeds ranging from 15 fpm to 25 fpm. Since the broach is inverted, chips fall away from both the tool's cutting teeth and the part while being flushed out by a pressurized coolant flow within the tool. This precludes chip interference problems.