CNC Broaching Nickel

CNC Broaching Nickel from VT machining delivers precision Nickel parts produced to your exact drawing. Broaching pushes a toothed tool through or across a part to form keyways, splines and internal profiles, and we tune every parameter to the behaviour of Nickel, which is corrosion and heat resistant.

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

CNC Broaching Capability for Nickel

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

Nickel Material Data

Nickel — typical properties, quoted for Nickel 200
Density8.89 g/cm³
Tensile strength460 MPa
Yield strength (0.2%)148 MPa
Hardness110 HB
Melting point1435–1446 °C
Thermal conductivity70 W/m·K
Thermal expansion13.3 ×10⁻⁶/K
Electrical conductivity23%
Machinability (C36000 = 100%)30%
Grades we runNickel 200, Nickel 201, Alloy 400, Alloy 600

Published typical values for Nickel 200. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.

Machining Nickel — what actually causes trouble

Gummy and work-hardening at once. Sharp tools, positive rake, and a deliberate depth of cut that stays under the hardened skin from the previous pass.

How CNC Broaching Nickel Works

Rotating multi-flute cutters remove material as the Nickel 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.

Programming is driven directly by your 3D model or print. Work-holding, tool selection and the cutting strategy are planned around the critical features and the material before the first chip is cut. First-off inspection confirms the process is centred before production continues.

Achievable Tolerances for CNC Broaching Nickel

CNC Broaching Nickel — 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

We control quality throughout the process, not just at the end. In-process checks plus final inspection — including CMM where specified — keep every Nickel part to print. Inspection reports, material certificates and first-article documentation can be supplied on request.

Working with Nickel

As a material, Nickel is corrosion and heat resistant. Our setup reflects the alloy's machinability so the finished part is accurate and free of avoidable defects.

We verify the exact grade and condition before machining, and traceable mill certs are available on request. We can work to your nominated material source or specification when required.

Design Tips for CNC Broaching Nickel

We are happy to suggest design tweaks that improve manufacturability. Generous internal radii, sensible pocket depth-to-width ratios and avoiding very thin unsupported walls all reduce cost and improve accuracy in Nickel. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.

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.

Exact achievable figures depend on the alloy, the feature size and the part geometry. Tell us which dimensions are critical and we will advise feasibility up front.

Secondary Operations & Finishing

Finished Nickel parts can move straight into secondary operations under one roof. Typical add-ons are deburring, passivation, anodising, plating, blasting, polishing and laser marking. We coordinate the whole chain so you receive complete, inspection-ready parts.

Applications of CNC Broaching Nickel

Customers order CNC Broaching Nickel components for everything from instrumentation to structural and functional assemblies. Whether you need a single prototype or recurring production volume, the same process discipline applies.

How to Order CNC Broaching Nickel

Getting a quote is simple. Share your model, the material grade, your quantity and target tolerances. You receive a clear quotation with lead time and honest manufacturability feedback.

Parts We Have Run in Nickel

Three representative CNC Broaching Nickel 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.

Manifold block

Material
Nickel
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.

Heat sink base

Material
Nickel
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.

Optical mount plate

Material
Nickel
Size
160 × 160 × 12 mm
Key callouts
Hole pattern true position ±0.02 mm, flatness 0.01 mm
Batch
40 pcs

Roughed, stress-relieved overnight, then finished — the plate is too thin to hold flatness in one hit.

Finishing Options for Nickel

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 Nickel

  • 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 Nickel 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 Nickel

Send the drawing, the Nickel 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

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

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

What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Broaching Nickel?

CNC Broaching prototypes for Nickel can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.

Why is Nickel a good choice for CNC Broaching?

Nickel is corrosion and heat resistant, which makes it well suited to CNC Broaching. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Nickel machining part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.

Can VT machining make custom Nickel parts to my drawing?

Yes. Nickel Nickel 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.

What is CNC Broaching Nickel and how is it done?

CNC Broaching Nickel refers to broaching pushes a toothed tool through or across a part to form keyways, splines and internal profiles. Applied to Nickel — corrosion and heat resistant — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.