Toolholders for Turning 260

carbide

A common tool material that is very hard and wear resistant. Indexable inserts, toolholder seats, and boring bars are all commonly made of carbide materials.

ceramic

A hard, brittle material that can withstand high temperatures. Ceramic cutting tools require high cutting speeds and rigid machinery.

chipbreaker

A feature designed to prevent chips from forming into long pieces. Chipbreakers are either indentations on the surface of the cutting insert or another wafer clamped above the insert in the toolholder.

cutting edge angle

If viewed from above looking down on the cutting tool, it is the angle formed by the end flank of the tool and a line parallel to the workpiece centerline. Increasing the cutting edge angle tilts the far end of the cutting edge away from the workpiece.

facing

An operation performed on a lathe that feeds a cutting tool across the end of a cylindrical workpiece to shorten its length.

ID operation

An operation performed on a lathe that machines the interior of a cylindrical part. Drilling and boring are common ID operations.

indexable insert

A cutting bit that has multiple cutting edges. Once a cutting edge is excessively worn, it can be indexed to another edge, or the insert can be replaced.

inscribed circle

A circle that fits exactly within the boundaries of another shape.

lead angle

If viewed from above looking down on the cutting tool, it is the angle formed by the side flank of the tool and a line perpendicular to the workpiece centerline. A positive lead angle moves the side flank into the cut, and a negative angle moves the side flank out of the cut.

left-hand tool

If viewed behind the tool down the length of the toolholder, a tool designed to cut from left to right.

modular toolholder

Specialized tooling consisting of a back end mounted in the turret and interchangeable front ends containing various cutting inserts. Modular tooling allows quick and accurate positioning of cutting tools on the lathe.

OD operation

An operation performed on a lathe that machines the exterior of a cylindrical part. Turning and facing are common OD operations.

offset shank

A toolholder shank with a head that is positioned off the centerline of the rest of the toolholder.

pocket

The recessed section at the end of the toolholder into which the seat and cutting insert are clamped.

positive-negative rake angle

An insert and toolholder combination that creates an effective positive rake at the grooved cutting edge of the insert but an overall negative rake for the insert and toolholder.

profiling

An operation performed on a lathe that feeds a cutting tool along a non-linear path to create conical or curved features in a cylindrical workpiece.

rake angle

If viewed from the side facing the end of the workpiece, it is the angle formed by the face of the tool and a line parallel to the floor. A positive rake angle tilts the tool face back, and a negative angle tilts it forward and up.

right-hand tool

If viewed behind the tool down the length of the toolholder, a tool designed to cut from right to left.

seat

The small wafer clamped underneath the insert in the pocket that supports the insert during machining.

shank

The long, rectagonal section of the toolholder that is clamped into the turret.

straight shank

A toolholder shank with a head that is symmetrical to the length of the entire toolholder.

tool geometry

The collective angles formed by the dimensions of a cutting tool that make a tool unique.

toolholder

A tool used to rigidly hold a cutting insert in place during machining. Toolholders are classified so that they can be paired with the correct style of insert.

turning

An operation performed on a lathe that feeds a cutting tool along the length of a cylindrical part to reduce its diameter.

turret

The component of a lathe that holds a number of cutting tools. The turret rotates to place tools in the cutting position.