Blog
FAQ
LiZhou Cemented Carbide Turning Tool Usage Guide
time：
2026-03-25 14:48
source：
Lizhou
How to Select Turning Inserts: A Guide to Using Lizhou Cemented Carbide
In CNC turning and conventional lathe machining, choosing the right Turning insert It is by no means as simple as merely matching the tool geometry to the workpiece material. Cutting tools directly determine machining efficiency; precise alignment of insert geometry, chip-breaker geometry, corner radius, and coating grade is essential. Whether machining common parts or challenging materials such as stainless steel, cast iron, and quenched steel, achieving an optimal balance between tool life and workpiece quality is the key to selecting the right insert.
This guide covers multiple dimensions—machining conditions, insert parameters, and grade interpretation—to help you avoid common pitfalls in rough turning, medium-turning, and finish turning.
Table of Contents:
- Specify the machining type—rough turning, semi-finish turning, or finish turning?
- Select the appropriate turning insert geometry
- Match a reasonable nose radius
- Analysis of Cutting Insert Grade Selection Based on Workpiece Material
- Solutions to Common Selection Issues
Clearly specify whether the machining type is rough turning, medium turning, or finish turning.
Rough turning: emphasizes large depths of cut and high feed rates, making it suitable for heavy-duty cutting conditions. It is essential to select inserts with robust cutting edges to prevent chipping and breakage.
Intermediate machining—commonly referred to as semi-finish turning—requires a balance of cutting strength and stability, serving as a bridge between roughing and finishing. It is best suited for medium cutting depths.
Fine turning: primarily emphasizes low cutting forces, high surface finish, and small material removal rates; it places stringent requirements on the cutting edge, demanding sharpness and minimal vibration.
Select the appropriate cutting insert geometry
We must precisely match the insert geometry to the specific machining operation. Generally, turning inserts are categorized as negative-rake or positive-rake types, and the appropriate insert type should be selected based on the particular machining application.
For roughing and semi-finishing, we can choose negative-insert tools.
As mentioned earlier, rough turning involves heavy cutting with high feed rates; commonly used models include:
CNMG1604 : Extremely versatile, suitable for external cylindrical and face turning.
DNMG1504 : Compatible with multi-angle cutting and medium-turning operations
WNMG0804 : The cutting edge is robust, making it suitable for rough machining.
SNMG1204 : Dedicated heavy-duty roughing, optimized for machining deeper cuts
For finish turning, we can choose positive-insert inserts.
CCMT1204: Suitable for finish turning, compatible with external cylindrical and end-face machining.
DCMT11T3 : Compatible with precision and medium-speed machining
VCMT1604: Suitable for rough machining and contouring.
Match a reasonable nose radius
The radius of the tool tip arc must be selected in accordance with the machining type and workpiece material, as it directly affects cutting stability and surface quality.
Rough machining is generally conventionally selected. 0.8mm, 1.2mm
Fine machining is generally selected as standard. 0.2mm, 0.4mm
Analysis of Cutting Insert Grade Selection Based on Workpiece Material
Each enterprise has its own material model specifications, such as Lizhou. VCMT1604 The letters and numbers on indexable turning inserts represent the insert’s core specifications in sequence:
V The letter stands for: blade shape, which is 35 Diamond-shaped blade
C The letter represents: the back rake angle of the cutting blade, which is 7 °Positive back rake angle and sharp cutting edge effectively reduce cutting resistance.
M Letter designation: Blade manufacturing tolerance grade
T Letters represent: clamping method and chip-breaker type.
16 The number represents the inscribed circle diameter of the blade, approximately 16mm
04 The number represents the blade thickness, approximately 4.76mm
Answers to Common Selection Questions
1. What is the recommended entry-level cutting insert for general turning?
Negative-type inserts are the best choice for beginners. CNMG\WNMG A versatile series with strong performance, suitable for machining difficult-to-cut materials such as stainless steel and cast iron, and generally optimized for rough turning operations.
2. What causes poor surface finish in precision turning and polishing?
This may be due to an excessively large radius at the cutting edge; you can opt for a insert model with a smaller diameter, such as VCMT1103 and VCMT1604, We can prioritize VCMT1103, Poor surface finish can also result from unstable tool holding or dull cutting edges.
3. Small-diameter workpieces must be used with Physical Vapor Deposition A coating?
It is recommended to prioritize Physical Vapor Deposition The coating can prevent workpiece deformation, overheating, and other issues, compared with Chemical Vapor Deposition Coatings are more suitable for the machining of small, high-precision parts.
4. How can work hardening of stainless steel be prevented?
Machining stainless steel requires the use of dedicated turning inserts to avoid low-speed frictional cutting; select stainless-steel-specific grades with appropriate toughness, and maintain stable cutting parameters.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for selecting turning inserts; the key is to choose the right insert based on the specific material and machining conditions. By working with the LIZHOU carbide technology team and providing details on the workpiece material, part specifications, machine tool capabilities, and cutting requirements, LIZHOU Carbide can tailor a customized turning-insert solution to deliver efficient, high-quality, and cost-effective machining.
next page
Recommended products
Hotline：
IPV4 / IPV6