Identification System for Indexable Inserts.

The size of indexable inserts is determined by the diameter of an inscribed circle (I.C.), except for rectangular and parallelogram inserts where the length and width dimensions are used. To describe an insert in its entirety, a standard ANSI B212.4-1986 identification system is used where each position number designates a feature of the insert. The ANSI Standard includes items now commonly used and facilitates identification of items not in common use.

Identification consists of up to ten positions; each position defines a characteristic of the insert as shown below:

Eigth, ninth and tenth positions are used only when required

Shape:
The shape of an insert is designated by a letter: R for round; S, square; T, triangle; A, 85º parallelogram; B, 82º parallelogram; C, 80º diamond; D, 55º diamond; E, 75º diamond; H, hexagon; K, 55º parallelogram; L, rectangle; M, 86º diamond; O, octagon; P, pentagon; V, 35º diamond; and W, 80º trigon.

Relief Angle (Clearances):
The second position is a letter denoting the relief angles; N for 0º; A, 3º; B, 5º; C, 7º; P, 11º; D, 15º; E, 20º; F, 25º; G, 30º; H, 0º & 11ºß; J, 0º & 14ºß; K, 0º & 17ºß; L, 0º & 20ºß; M, 11º & 14ºß; R, 11º & 17ºß; S 11º & 20ºß. When mounted on a holder, the actual relief angle may be different from that on the insert.  (ß - Second angle is secondary facet angle, which may vary by ±1°.)

Tolerances:
The third position is a letter and indicates the tolerances which control the indexability of the insert. Tolerances specified do not imply the method of manufacture.

Type:
The type of insert is designated by a letter. A, with hole; B, with hole and countersink; C, with hole and two countersinks; F, chip grooves both surfaces, no hole; G, same as F but with hole; H, with hole, one countersink, and chip groove on one rake surface; J, with hole, two countersinks and chip grooves on two rake surfaces; M, with hole and chip groove on one rake surface; N, without hole; Q, with hole and two countersinks; R, without hole but with chip groove on one rake surface; T, with hole, one countersink, and chip groove on one rake face; U, with hole, two countersinks, and chip grooves on two rake faces; and W, with hole and one countersink. Note: a dash may be used after position 4 to separate the shape-describing portion from the following dimensional description of the insert and is not to be considered a position in the standard description.

Size:
The size of the insert is designated by a one- or a two-digit number. For regular polygons and diamonds, it is the number of eighths of an inch in the nominal size of the inscribed circle, and will be a one- or two-digit number when the number of eighths is a whole number. It will be a two-digit number, including one decimal place, when it is not a whole number. Rectangular and parallelogram inserts require two digits: the first digit indicates the number of eighths of an inch width and the second digit, the number of quarters of an inch length.

Thickness:
The thickness is designated by a one- or two-digit number, which indicates the number of sixteenths of an inch in the thickness of the insert. It is a one-digit number when the number of sixteenths is a whole number; it is a two-digit number carried to one decimal place when the number of sixteenths of an inch is not a whole number.

Cutting Point Configuration:
The cutting point, or nose radius, is designated by a number representing 1/64ths of an inch; a flat at the cutting point or nose, is designated by a letter: 0 for sharp corner; 1, 1/64 inch radius; 2, 1/32 inch radius; 3, 3/64inch radius; 4, 1/16 inch radius; 5, 5/64 inch radius; 6, 3/32 inch radius; 7, 7/64 inch radius; 8, 1/8 inch radius; A, square insert with 45º chamfer; D, square insert with 30º chamfer; E, square insert with 15º chamfer; F, square insert with 3º chamfer; K, square insert with 30º double chamfer; L, square insert with 15º double chamfer; M, square insert with 3º double chamfer; N, truncated triangle insert; and P, flatted corner triangle insert.

Special Cutting Point Definition:
The eighth position, if it follows a letter in the 7th position, is a number indicating the number of 1/64ths of an inch measured parallel to the edge of the facet.

Hand:
R, right; L, left; to be used when required in ninth position.

Other Conditions:
The tenth position defines special conditions (such as edge treatment, surface finish) as follows: A, honed, 0.0005 inch to less than 0.003 inch; B, honed, 0.003 inch to less than 0.005 inch; C, honed, 0.005 inch to less than 0.007 inch; J, polished, 4 microinch arithmetic average (AA) on rake surfaces only; T, chamfered, manufacturer's standard negative land, rake face only.

Tolerance (± from nominal):

Last modified: 01/10/2005