What is a straight-end key?

A straight-end key is a mechanical part used to fasten two mechanical elements. The most commonly used example is the transmission of rotational movement between a shaft and a hub. When the key is inserted into the keyway (previously made on the shaft by a mortising machine), it prevents the hub from turning around the shaft, thus ensuring torque transmission.

However, the straight-end key can be used in a wide variety of industrial and mechanical applications where the attachment of two components is required. They are often used in industrial machinery, motor vehicles, agricultural equipment or other applications requiring the transmission of power between two components.

We produce straight-end keys to DIN 6885B, as well as to customer-specific drawings.

‍Features ofthe straight-end key

The straight-end key has a rectangular or square cross-section and two straight, parallel ends. It is generally used in applications requiring unidirectional power transmission, with no back-and-forth movement. It's important to note that the choice of a straight-end key depends on specific application requirements, design constraints, tolerances and other factors.

Materials used for straight-end keys

Straight-end keys are generally made from steel or stainless steel. However, at Gardette, we understand that each project may have different material requirements depending on its technical specifications, usage constraints, application environment or other factors.

That's why we strive to offer you a complete range of materials to meet your specific needs.

How to make a straight-end key ?

1. Rolling: The raw material, usually steel or stainless steel, is rolled and then drawn to produce a rectangular or square profile. At Gardette, we have expertise in cold rolling, drawing and heat treatment. This know-how enables us to manufacture a wide variety of standard and special profiles in different materials such as Steel.
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2. Parting: Once the rectangular or square profile has been obtained, parting machines, such as circular or band saws, are generally used to cut the parts to the required length.
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3. Tribofinishing: After the milling operation, the keys may show burrs and have a rough surface. To improve the surface finish of the parts, a tribofinishing process is used to obtain a high-quality finished product.
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4. Quality control: Finally, before being stored or dispatched, the straight-end keys undergo quality control to ensure that they meet the required specifications and standards. This may include visual inspections, dimensional measurements and other tests to ensure that the keys comply with quality requirements.
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It is important to note that manufacturing steps may vary according to standards, internal manufacturing procedures and specific customer requirements.