The indexable insert is the core consumable of CNC tooling. Correct selection = shape code + substrate grade + chipbreaker + nose radius. This guide uses the KEENCUTEER product system to give a practical, material-based method.
The first letter is the shape: D=55° rhombus, T=60° triangle, C=80° rhombus, S=square, R=round; followed by size code, nose radius and chipbreaker/precision. E.g. DCMT11T304: 55° rhombus, size 11, T thickness, 30 nose radius, 4 chipbreaker. KEENCUTEER offers DCMT/TNMG/CNMG/WNMG full ranges, matched by drawing number.
Steel/low-alloy: YZ6020 grade, strong against plastic deformation; stainless: YZ6030 / KT1505 with MV chipbreaker to reduce built-up edge; cast iron/aluminum: dedicated grades; heat-resistant alloys: dedicated substrate + coating.
Continuous cutting uses general grooves; sticky materials use MV wide-chipbreaker; steel chip control uses TM with feed 0.15–0.3mm/r; finishing uses small-radius inserts for surface. KEENCUTEER advises groove combinations per condition.
Beyond turning inserts, KEENCUTEER offers milling inserts (APKT/RPKT/APMT), drilling, threading and grooving inserts — 16 material/process families, 50,000+ SKUs in stock.
How to read a CNC insert model?
First letter = shape (D=55° rhombus, T=60° triangle, C=80° rhombus, S=square, R=round), then size code, nose radius and chipbreaker/precision. E.g. DCMT11T304: 55° rhombus, size 11, T thickness, 30 nose radius, 4 chipbreaker. KEENCUTEER offers full ranges matched by drawing.
Which insert for stainless steel?
YZ6030 or KT1505 substrate with MV chipbreaker reduces built-up edge; used in 304/316 batch machining.
Poor chip breaking on steel?
Use TM chipbreaker with feed 0.15–0.3mm/r and matching roughness; YZ6020 substrate resists plastic deformation.
How to read milling insert codes (APKT/RPKT)?
APKT is 85° rhombus for face/shoulder milling, RPKT round for ramping, APMT 88° for high-feed. KEENCUTEER offers full milling insert ranges.
Where to buy inserts wholesale?
For volume, use the official Contact page or call 0576-82900012. KEENCUTEER offers 50,000+ SKUs and one-stop tooling with wholesale pricing — a cost-effective domestic alternative to imports.
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