Turning Inserts

TURNING TOOLS

Turning Inserts

ISO carbide turning inserts for external turning, internal turning, facing, profiling and general lathe machining.

Select the insert by workpiece material, ISO shape and machining requirement. Compare positive and negative insert geometries, corner angle, cutting application and compatible toolholder before choosing the final grade and chipbreaker.

STEP 1

Choose by Workpiece Material

Start with the ISO material group that best matches the material being machined.

P Steel

Carbon steel, alloy steel and general steel turning applications.

M Stainless Steel

Austenitic, ferritic, martensitic and duplex stainless steels.

K Cast Iron

Grey cast iron, ductile iron and other cast iron materials.

N Non-Ferrous Materials

Aluminium, copper, brass and other non-ferrous materials.

S Heat-Resistant Alloys & Titanium

Nickel-based alloys, heat-resistant alloys and titanium.

H Hardened Steel

Hardened steels and hard-turning applications.

STEP 2

Choose by ISO Insert Shape

Insert shape affects cutting-edge strength, accessibility, profiling capability and toolholder compatibility.

80° DIAMOND CNMG / CCMT

Strong 80° corner geometry with good versatility for general turning and facing. Available in positive and negative insert styles for different cutting conditions.

55° DIAMOND DNMG / DCMT / DCGT

55° geometry provides improved profiling access while retaining useful cutting-edge strength. Positive and negative styles suit different machine and cutting conditions.

60° TRIANGLE TNMG / TCMT

Versatile 60° triangular geometry provides a useful balance of cutting-edge strength and profiling access for general turning applications.

35° DIAMOND VNMG / VBMT / VCMT / VCGX

Narrow 35° geometry provides excellent accessibility for profiling, contouring and finishing around shoulders and complex features.

SQUARE SNMG

Strong square geometry with robust cutting corners for stable general turning, facing and heavier machining where component access permits.

TRIGON WNMG

Strong trigon geometry combines useful cutting-edge strength with multiple indexable corners for productive general turning.

STEP 3

Choose by Machining Requirement

Select the insert geometry according to cutting load, surface-finish requirement and component accessibility.

GENERAL TURNING Balanced Performance

Use a versatile insert geometry for routine external and internal turning operations.

ROUGHING Edge Strength First

Prioritise strong cutting edges, stable insert geometry and suitable chip control.

FINISHING Low Cutting Force

Use sharper geometries, suitable nose radius and appropriate chipbreaker for lighter cuts.

PROFILING Accessibility

Smaller included-angle inserts improve access around shoulders, contours and complex profiles.

STEP 4

Positive vs Negative Inserts

Clearance geometry affects cutting force, edge strength, toolholder design and the number of usable cutting edges.

POSITIVE INSERTS

Lower Cutting Forces

Lower cutting force
Good for internal turning
Suitable for lighter machines and finishing
Useful where chip evacuation and accessibility matter
Typically fewer usable cutting edges

NEGATIVE INSERTS

Stronger Cutting Edges

Higher edge strength
More usable cutting edges
Suitable for general and heavier turning
Works well in stable, rigid machining conditions
Usually requires greater machine rigidity

STEP 5

How to Read an ISO Insert Code

ISO insert codes describe the basic geometry, clearance, tolerance, size, thickness and nose radius of the insert.

CNMG 120408

C Shape

80° diamond

N Clearance Angle

Negative / 0° clearance

M Tolerance Class

ISO tolerance designation

G Insert Type

Hole and insert construction designation

12 Insert Size

ISO size designation

04 Thickness

ISO thickness designation

08 Nose Radius

0.8 mm nominal nose radius

STEP 6

Choose Grade & Chipbreaker

After selecting the insert geometry, match the carbide grade and chipbreaker to the workpiece material and machining conditions.

GRADE Material & Cutting Conditions

Match carbide substrate and coating to workpiece material, cutting speed, cutting stability and required tool life.

CHIPBREAKER Feed & Depth of Cut

Select finishing, medium or roughing chipbreaker geometry according to feed rate, depth of cut and chip-control requirement.

Final grade and chipbreaker availability depends on the selected insert series and manufacturer.

SELECTION GUIDE

Quick Selection

General steel turning

Start with ISO P grade and a general-purpose insert geometry.

Stainless steel

Select ISO M grade and a chipbreaker suited to stainless machining.

Aluminium / non-ferrous

Look for sharp positive geometries and ISO N grade options.

Heavy roughing

Prioritise cutting-edge strength, stable geometry and machine rigidity.

Internal turning

Check bore clearance, toolholder geometry and positive insert options.

Profiling

Consider smaller included-angle inserts such as D or V shapes.

BROWSE INSERTS

Browse Turning Inserts by ISO Shape

Select an ISO insert shape to view available sizes, grades and chipbreaker options.

CCMT

(2)

80° Diamond · Positive

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CNMG

(3)

80° Diamond · Negative

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DCGT

(1)

55° Diamond · Positive

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DCMT

(2)

55° Diamond · Positive

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DNMG

(2)

55° Diamond · Negative

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SNMG

(2)

90° Square · Negative

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TCMT

(2)

60° Triangle · Positive

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TNMG

(2)

60° Triangle · Negative

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VBMT

(2)

35° Diamond · Positive

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VCGX

(1)

35° Diamond · Positive

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VCMT

(1)

35° Diamond · Positive

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VNMG

(2)

35° Diamond · Negative

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WNMG

(3)

80° Trigon · Negative

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