Basic introduction to

turning insert By
Dr. Gaurav Bartarya
Insert nomenclature

• 1 = Turning Insert Shape

• 2 = Turning Insert Clearance Angle
• 3 = Turning Insert Tolerances
• 4 = Turning Insert Type
• 5 = Turning Insert Size
• 6 = Turning Insert Thickness
• 7 = Turning Insert Nose Radius
• 8 = Cutting edge condition
• 9 = Cutting direction
• 10=Chip Breaker
1- Shapes
•Not every turning insert with one
shape can be replaced with the other
for a machining operation.
•As C, W type turning inserts are
normally used for roughing or rough
machining, D for finishing
 2- Clearance Angle
• B = Insert with 5° clearance angle
• C = Insert with 7° clearance angle
• E = Insert with 20° clearance angle
• N = Insert with 0° clearance angle
• P= Insert with 11° clearance angle

•Turning insert clearance angle plays a big role while choosing an insert for
internal machining or boring small components
•If not properly chosen, the insert bottom corner might rub with the
component leading to poor machining.
•On the other hand a turning insert with 0° clearance angle is mostly used for
rough machining.
3 = Turning Insert Tolerances
•Tolerances in different insert sizes, like the tolerance in turning insert length, height etc.
4-Chip breaker and clamping

• Chip breaker: No, Single Sided, Double sided

• Does not elaborate design of chip breaker
5- Turning Insert Size

• How to choose insert size

• Determine the largest depth of cut, ap
• Determine the necessary cutting length, LE,
while also considering the entering (lead)
angle of the tool holder, the depth of cut, ap,
and the machine specification​
• Based on the necessary LE and ap, the
correct cutting edge length, L, and IC for the
insert can be selected
6- Insert thickness
 7- Insert Corner (Nose)Radius
• Better surface finish
• Reduced feed marks
• Large nose radius:
(i) High radial forces
(ii) Tool chatter
• Choose a nose radius less than
equal to depth of cut
Small nose radius Large nose radius
•High feed rates
•Ideal for small
cutting depth •Large depths of
cut
•Reduces vibration
•Strong edge
•Weak cutting edge security
•Generally better •Increased radial
chip breaking
force
 8-Cutting edge condition
• SHARP EDGE:
• Honed Edge
• Chamfered Edge
• Chamfered and Honed edge
9-Cutting direction 10-Chip Breaker
Roughing

Medium

Finishing
 Selection of tool insert
• There are many parameters to consider when choosing turning insert.
Carefully select insert geometry, insert grade, insert shape (nose angle),
insert size, nose radius and entering (lead) angle, to achieve good chip
control and machining performance.
• Select insert geometry based on selected operation, for example finishing
• Select the largest possible nose angle on the insert for strength and
economy
• Select the insert size depending on the depth of cut​
• Select the largest possible nose radius for insert strength
• Select a smaller nose radius if there is a tendency for vibration
 Insert grades?
Turning insert grade
• The insert grade is primarily selected according to: Component material (ISO P, M, K, N,
S, H)
- Type of method (finishing, medium, roughing)
-Machining conditions (good, average, difficult)
• The insert geometry and insert grade complement each other.
• For example, the toughness of ​a grade can compensate for lack of strength in an insert
geometry.
Component Material :
• P: Used for Steel: Coated Carbide, cermet, coated cermets, cemented carbides
• M: Stainless steel: -do-
• K: Cast Iron: Coated Carbide, cermet, coated cermets, cemented carbides, CBN
• N: Non ferrous metals: cemented carbide, Poly Crystalline Diamond
• S: Heat resistant alloys, Ti: Coated Carbide, cemented carbides, cemented carbide, CBN
• H: Hardened steels : Coated CBN , CBN

http://www.mitsubishicarbide.com/en/technical_information/tec_turning_tools/tec_turning
_insert/tec_turning_grades/tec_turning_grades_range
 Tool Shank
D C L N R 16 4 D
Insert Holding Insert Shape Style Insert Relief Angle Hand Shank Size Insert I.C. Length

• A Style: Straight shank with 0° side-cutting edge angle, for turning operations.
B Style: Straight shank with 15° side-cutting edge angle, for turning operations.
C Style: Straight shank with 0° end-cutting edge angle, for cutoff and grooving
operations.
D Style: Straight shank with 45° side-cutting edge angle, for turning operations.
E Style: Straight shank with 30° side-cutting edge angle, for threading
operations.
F Style: Offset shank with 0° end-cutting edge angle, for facing operations.
G Style: Offset shank with 0° side-cutting edge angle; this tool is an 'A' style
tool with additional clearance built in for turning operations close to the
lathe chuck
• http://www.helmancnc.com/general-turning-i
nsert-nomenclature-for-cnc-dummies/
• https://www.cadem.com/single-post/cnc-turni
ng-insert-shapes-properties
• https://www.americanmachinist.com/cutting-t
ools/chapter-4-turning-tools-and-operations
• http://www.mitsubishicarbide.com/en/techni
cal_information/tec_turning_tools/tec_turnin
g_insert/tec_turning_grades/tec_turning_gra
des_range
• https://www.sandvik.coromant.com/en-gb/kn