General Turning Insert Nomenclature for CNC
Dummies
General Turning Insert Nomenclature for CNC Dummies
General turning inserts come in variety of shapes and sizes. One thing is important
to remember and understand is that every turning insert has a
nomenclature associated with it. These general turning inserts nomenclature tells us
lot about these general turning inserts.
Note: The following explanations are according to metric inserts.
General Turning Insert Nomenclature
The above turning insert nomenclature is CNMG 120408.
1 = Turning Insert Shape
General Turning Insert Nomenclature Shape
The first letter in general turning insert nomenclature tells us about the general
turning insert shape, turning inserts shape codes are like C, D, K, R, S, T, V, W. Most
of these codes surely express the turning insert shape like
o C = C Shape Turning Insert
o D = D Shape Turning Insert
o K = K Shape Turning Insert
o R = Round Turning Insert
o S = Square Turning Insert
o T = Triangle Turning Insert
o V = V Shape Turning Insert
o W = W Shape Turning Insert
The picture tells us more about turning inserts shapes.
The general turning insert shape play a very important role when we choose an
insert for machining.
Not every turning insert with one shape can be replaced with the other for a
machining operation.
As C, D, W type turning inserts are normally used for roughing or rough machining.
As a cnc machinist I will use C type turning insert with Roughing Cycle (G71 G72 for
Fanuc cnc control), And I will choose D type turning insert for Finishing Cycle(G70 for
Fanuc ).
2 = Turning Insert Clearance Angle
General Turning Insert Nomenclature Clearance-Angle
The second letter in general turning insert nomenclature tells us about the turning
insert clearance angle.
The clearance angle for a turning insert is given as
o B = Turning Insert with 5° clearance angle
o C = Turning Insert with 7° clearance angle
o E = Turning Insert with 20° clearance angle
o N = Turning Insert with 0° clearance angle
o P= Turning Insert with 11° clearance angle
Turning insert clearance angle plays a big role while choosing an insert for internal
machining or boring small components, because if not properly chosen the insert
bottom corner might rub with the component which will give poor machining.
On the other hand a turning insert with 0° clearance angle is mostly used for rough
machining.
3 = Turning Insert Tolerances
The third letter of general turning insert nomenclature tells us about the turning
insert tolerances.
These are the turning insert tolerances in different insert sizes, like the tolerance in
turning insert length, height etc. I personally think that they are not of any use for a
cnc machinist, because theses tolerances are minor.
4 = Turning Insert Type
General Turning Insert Type
The fourth letter of general turning insert nomenclature tells us about the turning
insert hole shape and chip breaker type.
o A = Turning insert with Cylindrical hole
o G = Turning insert with Cylindrical hole and Double-Sided Chipbreaker
o M = Turning insert with Cylindrical hole and Single-Sided Chipbreaker
o N = Turning insert with no hole and no Chipbreaker
o P = Turning insert with Cylindrical hole and Hi-Double-Positive Chipbreaker
o Q = Turning insert with 40-60° Double Countersink Hole
o R = Turning insert with no-hole and Single-Sided Chipbreaker
o T = Turning insert with 40-60° Double Countersink Single-sided Chipbreaker
o W = Turning insert with 40-60° double countersink
o X = Turning insert with Special Design
5 = Turning Insert Size
This numeric value of general turning insert tells us the cutting edge length of the
turning insert.
General Turning Insert Cutting Edge Length
6 = Turning Insert Thickness
This numeric value of general turning insert tells us about the thickness of the
turning insert.
7 = Turning Insert Nose Radius
General Turning Insert Nose Radius
This numeric value of general turning insert tells us about the nose radius of the
turning insert.
o Code = Radius Value
o 04 = 0.4
o 08 = 0.8
o 12 = 1.2
o 16 = 1.6
