Grooving and shallow grooving inserts arranged on a charcoal background.

Grooving and Turning Guide

Insert selection, chipbreaker geometries and machining guidance

This guide covers insert selection, tool setup and machining practices for grooving, turning and parting off.

Insert Selection

Select the insert width, chipbreaker geometry, cutting material and corner radius to suit the workpiece and machining operation.

Grooving insert diagrams showing insert width W and cutting depth ap.

Chipbreaker Geometries

MGMN-M — Grooving and Turning. MGMN-M grooving insert product photo.
Chipbreaker geometry designed for chip control in grooving and turning applications.

MGMN-G — Grooving. MGMN-G grooving insert product photo.
Dedicated grooving geometry designed to control chips during plunge cutting.

MRMN-M — Profiling. MRMN-M profile grooving insert product photo with rounded cutting ends.
Round cutting-edge geometry for profiling and rough grooving applications.

Parting Insert Front Angles

Parting insert diagrams comparing a neutral cutting edge with 4 to 8 degree and 8 to 15 degree front angles.

0° — Neutral
Suitable for general parting of solid bars. The symmetrical cutting edge helps limit sideways cutting forces, but a central pip may remain.

4°–8° — Angled
Helps reduce the central pip when parting solid bars and burr formation when parting tubes.

8°–15° — Angled
Used for smaller-diameter bars and tubes where reducing the central pip or burr is a priority.

Use the smallest angle that achieves an acceptable result. Larger angles can reduce cutting-edge strength.

Toolholder Setup

Align the toolholder perpendicular to the workpiece axis and clamp it securely. Accurate alignment helps reduce vibration and sideways tool deflection.

Parting toolholder alignment diagram showing a tool mounted perpendicular to the workpiece axis.

Parting Setup

Set the cutting edge at the workpiece center height, within the tolerance specified for the toolholder system. Position the cut close to the workpiece support to improve rigidity and reduce vibration.

Turning with Grooving Tools

Use an insert and toolholder combination suitable for side turning. Maintain stable cutting conditions and account for tool deflection when checking the finished diameter.

Finishing and Diameter Compensation

The tool may deflect differently during radial grooving and longitudinal turning. Check the diameter after a trial cut and apply compensation as required.

Plan the finishing sequence to control both the groove diameter and sidewall dimensions.

Grooving and turning diameter compensation diagram showing D1, D2 and the radial correction formula.

Three diagrams showing the grooving and sidewall finishing sequence.

Changing from Turning to Grooving

Before switching from longitudinal turning to radial grooving, release the side load on the tool. Use the recommended transition sequence for the toolholder system.

Three diagrams showing an incorrect transition and a 0.1 mm relief movement before radial grooving.

Machining Near Shoulders and Corners

Check that the insert corner radius suits the workpiece profile. Plan the toolpath to avoid interference and sudden changes in cutting load near shoulders and internal corners.

Incorrect corner machining with forces P1 and P2, followed by a four-step machining sequence numbered 1 to 4.

Operation and Maintenance

Use cutting speeds and feed rates appropriate to the workpiece material and insert geometry. Apply suitable cutting fluid and clean the insert and seat before installation.

Replace damaged or excessively worn inserts promptly. Replace the toolholder if its insert seat is damaged, and do not grind or modify the seat.

Chip Control

Select a chipbreaker suited to the material, feed rate and cutting width. Controlled, narrowed chips help reduce friction against the groove walls and support effective chip evacuation and a better surface finish.