Hemel Hempstead-based NTK Cutting Tools (www.ntkcuttingtools.co.uk), a high-speed tooling specialist, has developed a range of broaching tools for processing hexagonal holes in components.

The new Shaper Duo addition to the Stick Duo product line has been introduced to machine hexagonal, square and hexal

obular forms in turned parts. As part of the extensive NTK Stick Duo series, the solid carbide PVD-coated Shaper Duo tool inserts are manufactured to diameters that perfectly fit the vast range of Stick Duo tool-holders.

The benefit of the Shaper Duo series over the commonly used broaching tools is the improved cycle times, reduced tooling costs and the flexibility to produce a complete range of hexagon sizes with a single tool.

The hexalobular Shaper Duo tool is offered as a single-sided tool with an optimised length of 70mm and a 5mm shank diameter.

Many geometry options are available for manufacturing hexalobular socket sizes T6, T7, T8, T10, T15, T20, T25, T27 and T30.

For the provision of hexagonal socket forms, NTK’s Shaper Duo is manufactured as a cost-effective and efficient double-sided tool with diameters that include 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm and overall length options of 50, 60, 70 and 80mm.

The dimensions of the 120deg point-angle tool support the production of hexagonal heads with an across flat (AF) base of 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm. These seven AF base dimensions allow the user to machine hexagonal forms from 1.4mm to 12.2mm AF.

Completing the Shaper Duo line is the double-sided square-socket Shaper Duo insert. Like the hexagonal variant, the 90deg-geometry square-end tool is manufactured with an overall length of 50, 60, 70 and 80mm and cutting depths up
to 16mm.

With a tool shank diameter and corresponding base AF dimension of 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm, the square-socket Shaper Duo can make precision square-socket forms from 1.9 to 8.1mm with perfect surface finishes inside the form.

Setting up the tool overhang, parallelism and concentricity of the NTK Shaper Duo can be conducted quickly and easily, making it highly suitable for producing hexagonal, square and hexalobular forms in turned parts.