Indexable Insert Line Expands for Small-Part or Swiss-Style Machining

Source | Walter USA

Walter’s WT26 indexable inserts and toolholder system are primarily designed for small part machining or Swiss-style turning. These inserts include tangentially installed partial-profile and full-profile thread-turning inserts with sharp cutting edges to help moldmakers achieve optimal machining results for small-diameter workpieces. The tangential inserts feature sharp corner radii and are conventionally known as “zero radius” inserts.

The precision-ground cutting edge and chipbreaker groove work to ensure ultimate precision and tool life when turning. The tools are for turning a workpiece diameter up to 1 mm (0.039") in automatic lathes and multispindle machines. The indexable insert screw can be accessed from both sides for simple insert indexing. The toolholder’s shank sizes are 0.500", 0.625", 10 × 10 mm, 12 × 12 mm and 16 × 16 mm.

All WT26 insert types fit in the same toolholder. A dovetail profile absorbs lateral or axial forces. Suitable applications include parting off and grooving, forward and reverse turning, and thread turning. Grooving along close shoulders is possible because of the installation of the inserts at a 1-degree angle.

The inserts are WSM23X and WN23 carbide grades. The universal physical vapor deposition (PVD) grade is for parting off, grooving and turning with a moderate-to-low cutting speed (vc) and axial depth of cut (ap). The primary applications are machining steel, stainless steel, materials with difficult cutting properties and nonferrous metals (ISO P25, M25, S25 and N25 material groups).

The uncoated WN23 is a tough and abrasion-resistant grade for machining nonferrous metals (ISO N20 material group). Secondary applications include machining steel, super alloys and other materials such as carbon fiber composites and graphite (ISO P, S and non-ISO O material groups).

The inserts feature six geometries. CD8 is for parting off, GD8 is for grooving, VG8 is for reverse back-turning and copy turning, DG8 is for forward turning, RA8 is for full-radius profiling and UA8 is for grooving and groove turning.