Metal Lathe Tools : Threading Tools - threading insert geometry

At R.D. Barrett, we hold the UK’s largest selection of professional turning tools, including carbide inserts. We have a huge range of carbide inserts suitable for all applications in various sizes, shapes and grades.

To match our shoulder milling cutters and end mills of the MR290 series, we offer the six-flute WNGX inserts for medium machining up to roughing of the material. They are universally applicable in a wide range of materials: from steel and stainless steel to cast iron and non-ferrous metals, titanium alloys and HTAs. The MR290 series is available both as an end mill and as a slip-on milling cutter.

R.D. Barrett was established in 1975 by Ron Derek Barrett, an ex employee of both DS & G Lathes and Ford Motor Company. We hold one of the UK largest stock of engineering tooling.

Carbide inserts can be used at high speeds, which enables faster machining, which results in better finishes. It’s crucial that you select the correct carbide insert for the material that you are cutting or you could risk damaging the insert, the machine and the workpiece.

The sheer variety of carbide inserts available and their precision use means that there needed to be a simple system devised to categorise them. Carbide turning inserts, like all other metal cutting tools, are identified with a series of letters and numbers. These refer to the Turning Tool ISO code system that provides a (relatively) simple way to identify carbide inserts. In this article, we describe what the Turning Tool ISO code system is and how you can use it to identify your carbide inserts.

By understanding the Turing Tool ISO system, you can quickly identify carbide inserts. Let’s look in a little more detail at each part of the coding system.

Every carbide insert has an identification code attached to it. This isn’t a random collection of letters and numbers, but a comprehensive system that can help you identify the correct tool.

Carbide inserts are used to accurately machine metals, including steels, carbon, cast iron, high-temperature alloys and other non-ferrous metals. Carbide inserts are replaceable and indexable and come in a huge variety of styles, sizes and grades.

Shoulder milling is used to produce two surfaces at the same time. It is an efficient method to save time and costs, as side and end faces can be machined at the same time, thus saving several work steps. When producing flat shoulders with true 90° angles or precise contours, our high-performance shoulder milling cutters are used. In order to make an optimal choice and achieve the best results, the application-specific requirements must be precisely taken into account.

Knowing the length of the holder is essential in selecting the right carbide insert. Each letter refers to a different length. While the differences may seem small, selecting the right part – or a suitable part if your chosen length isn’t available to use – is crucial.

Our range of indexable end mills includes face-milling cutters and square shoulder cutters. We offer a variety of versions for the most diverse machining tasks along with the suitable indexable inserts. The milling heads are very stable and can be used at high cutting speeds. All inserts and holders for milling have targeted internal cooling.

Customer testimonial: Click here to learn how our production-oriented tooling concept and our high-quality solid carbide trochoidal milling cutters have successfully supported Kläger Spritzguss GmbH in optimizing their cutting operations on injection molds.

There are five different types of clamping methods used for tuning tools. The various methods describe how the carbide insert is clamped, the tool’s shape and the force and rigidity of clamping.

This code is used to describe the style of turning tool. There are 14 different holder styles, with each differentiated by the approach angle of the tool.

The ISO code is based on the metric system, with measurements made in millimetres. In America, they use a different system called the American National Standard ANSI B212.4-2002 system that uses inches. We don’t cover that in this guide.

If you know the identification code of your insert, we can provide a replacement for you. Even if you don’t have all the information to hand, we can use our expert knowledge gained from over 45 years in business to help you to narrow down your choice of tool.

The sixth code refers to the height of the shank. If the sixth number is 20, for example, that would mean the shank is 20mm high.

Face milling is the most common milling operation and is used to produce flat surfaces. It can be performed with different milling heads, depending on the application.

The system provides a universal framework for identifying the carbide insert that you are using, or need to purchase. If you know the identification code, selecting a replacement part is simple and straightforward.

Our eight-flute SNEU inserts, for the MR145 series face milling cutters, are suitable for various applications: From finishing to medium machining to roughing of aluminium and aluminium alloys, steel, stainless steel, and cast iron.

The ninth and final part of the Turning Tool ISO code is the length of the cutting insert. The figure is measured in mm, so a 10 would mean the cutting insert has a 10mm cutting edge length.

The fourth letter defines the clearance angle of the insert. There are seven different clearance angles of between 0 degrees and 25 degrees.

There are ten different insert shapes, but it’s quite a loose classification. There are variations within the classification system which means they should be taken as an identifier.

Similar to the width above, the seventh number refers to the complete width of the shank. Again, if the figure is 20, the shank width would be 20mm.

Every carbide insert can be identified using the Turning Tool ISO code system. This straightforward shorthand system covers everything you need to know, and need to tell us, when ordering your new carbide insert.