Originally Posted by
NortonDommi
Nice explanation mwmkravchenko, works just like a gear hob where there relationship between work and cutter rotation determine number of teeth cut. I had never thought about that phenomenon being used to cut polygons. The surfaces will not be truly flat but that is of no consequence for a bolt head and may actually be advantages for spanner or socket purchase especially when using a flank drive.
I have seen a great design for a lathe hobbing attachment that was driven off the tailstock end of the leadscrew which enabled the gearbox and a couple of gears to set the work/cutter relationship.
One day .........