CNC Broaching Bronze

VT machining provides CNC Broaching Bronze for customers who need accurate, repeatable Bronze components. Because Bronze is wear resistant with good bearing properties, we adapt the process to suit — controlling the variables that matter for this alloy.

CNC Broaching Bronze at VT machining
CNC Broaching Bronze — produced in-house at VT machining

CNC Broaching Capability for Bronze

  • Keyways & splines
  • Internal profiles
  • One-pass forming
  • High repeatability

Bronze Material Data

Bronze — typical properties, quoted for C93200 (SAE 660)
Density8.80 g/cm³
Tensile strength240 MPa
Yield strength (0.2%)125 MPa
Hardness65 HB
Melting point855–980 °C
Thermal conductivity59 W/m·K
Thermal expansion18.0 ×10⁻⁶/K
Electrical conductivity12%
Machinability (C36000 = 100%)70%
Grades we runC93200 SAE 660, C54400, C63000 aluminium bronze, C86300 manganese bronze

Published typical values for C93200 (SAE 660). Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.

Machining Bronze — what actually causes trouble

Cast bearing bronze has porosity. On sealing faces we specify continuous-cast stock rather than sand-cast, because a pinhole in a bore face is not repairable.

How CNC Broaching Bronze Works

Rotating multi-flute cutters remove material as the Bronze workpiece is driven through programmed tool paths on 3-, 4- or 5-axis machining centres. Climb milling, step-over and depth-of-cut are set so chip load stays in the ideal band for the alloy.

We start from your supplied geometry and tolerance scheme. The setup is designed to minimise re-clamping, which protects positional accuracy across features. A first article is verified against the drawing before the balance of the batch is released.

Achievable Tolerances for CNC Broaching Bronze

CNC Broaching Bronze — achievable tolerances
FeatureStandardPrecision
Linear dimension (< 100 mm)±0.05 mm±0.010 mm
Linear dimension (100–300 mm)±0.10 mm±0.025 mm
Hole diameter (reamed)H9H7
True position of hole pattern±0.10 mm±0.025 mm
Flatness over 100 mm0.05 mm0.015 mm
Perpendicularity0.10 mm0.020 mm
Surface finish, as machinedRa 1.6 µmRa 0.4 µm

Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.

CNC Broaching Quality & Inspection

Quality is built in, not inspected on. We monitor key features during the run and confirm them at final inspection, with CMM verification available for tight tolerances. We provide the inspection and traceability records your quality system requires.

CNC Broaching Tolerances & Surface Finish

For CNC Broaching, dimensional and positional tolerances around ±0.01 mm are routine, tightening toward ±0.005 mm on precision setups. Surface finish on machined faces typically falls in the Ra 0.4–1.6 µm range depending on tooling and pass strategy.

The tightest tolerances are reserved for the features your drawing flags as critical. Share your tolerance scheme and we will confirm what is realistic before quoting.

Secondary Operations & Finishing

Most Bronze parts need some finishing, which we manage in-house or through vetted partners. Options include deburring and edge-breaking, heat treatment, surface grinding, polishing, and plating or anodising for corrosion resistance and appearance. Give us the finished-part requirement and we will sequence every operation correctly.

Working with Bronze

Bronze is wear resistant with good bearing properties. We translate those properties into a process plan: the right tooling, speeds, feeds and fixturing for the alloy.

Where the grade, temper or heat-treat condition matters to performance, we confirm it with you and can supply material certificates. Material is procured to recognised standards for consistent, repeatable results.

Design Tips for CNC Broaching Bronze

Small design adjustments often cut cost and lead time. Generous internal radii, sensible pocket depth-to-width ratios and avoiding very thin unsupported walls all reduce cost and improve accuracy in Bronze. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.

Applications of CNC Broaching Bronze

Bronze parts made this way are found throughout aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics and industrial equipment. Prototype, bridge and production volumes are all welcome.

How to Order CNC Broaching Bronze

Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the Bronze grade and condition, the quantity and any finish or inspection requirements. We respond quickly with price, lead time and any DFM notes, in clear English.

Parts We Have Run in Bronze

Three representative CNC Broaching Bronze jobs, with the callouts that actually drove the process plan. Yours will differ — these are here so you can judge whether your part is in our range before you spend time on an RFQ.

Heat sink base

Material
Bronze
Size
200 × 100 × 8 mm
Key callouts
Fin thickness 1.2 ±0.05 mm, base flatness 0.03 mm
Batch
500 pcs

Fins cut with a slotting cutter in one pass to avoid the deflection a step-over leaves.

Manifold block

Material
Bronze
Size
120 × 60 × 45 mm
Key callouts
Cross-bore intersection ±0.05 mm, ports G1/8", leak-tested to 10 bar
Batch
80 pcs

Deburred internally with a brush tool; a burr at a cross-bore is what fails the leak test.

Robot end-effector bracket

Material
Bronze
Size
180 × 90 × 30 mm
Key callouts
Bore pair concentric within 0.02 mm, weight reduction pockets
Batch
120 pcs

Pockets ganged so wall thickness never drops below 2 mm at the load path.

Finishing Options for Bronze

Finishing options available with this material
FinishThickness / effectWhy it gets specified
Deburr / edge break0.05–0.3 mmAll parts unless the drawing says otherwise
Bead blastRa 1.6–3.2 µmUniform matt finish, hides tool marks
Laser markingPart number, lot code, data matrix
Free — no sign-up

No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.

Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.

Open the 3D + 2D Builder

What We Need to Quote CNC Broaching Bronze

  • GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
  • MaterialThe exact Bronze grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
  • QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
  • TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
  • FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
  • DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.

Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.

Other Metals for CNC Broaching

Other Processes for Bronze

Send the drawing, the Bronze grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.

Request a Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CNC Broaching Bronze require dedicated tooling?

Most Bronze machining work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.

What material thickness or size range suits CNC Broaching Bronze?

We machine Bronze across a broad size range; share your part envelope for confirmation.

Can VT machining make custom Bronze parts to my drawing?

Yes. Bronze Bronze machining is made to order from your CAD/2D drawing. Share your geometry, material grade, tolerance and quantity and we will confirm feasibility, lead time and pricing.

How clean are the edges produced by CNC Broaching on Bronze?

Machined Bronze edges are clean and to specification; edge-break or deburring is added when your drawing calls for it.