Indexable insert types - photo

[Altair]

Indexable insert types.




Previously:

Drill bit types and applications guide - infographic
Valve types guide - photo
Japanese saw types and their uses - GIF

[nova_robotics]

This is like 0.1% of the damn things. Trying to match carbides to tooling is a giant pain. I use APMT/APKT inserts for face milling. AG60 and DCMT for threading. GTN and MGMN for parting. CCMTs for general purpose machining, and RPMT for manual machining on the lathe (great surface finish). And a ton more I'm forgetting. The only ones I have that are on the above chart are TCMT.

And nothing is a standard, only a suggestion. Every manufacturer puts their own twist on each insert. You can buy five different APKT inserts from five different manufacturers and they'll all be completely different.

[Saltfever]

edit . . . And nothing is a standard, only a suggestion. Every manufacturer puts their own twist on each insert. You can buy five different APKT inserts from five different manufacturers and they'll all be completely different.

Well yes and no. There are both ANSI and ISO standards and while the geometry is defined, the variability is so great it appears to be chaotic. Note that this article was written by a PhD! So yes . . .

[nova_robotics]

Well yes and no. There are both ANSI and ISO standards and while the geometry is defined, the variability is so great it appears to be chaotic. Note that this article was written by a PhD! So yes . . .

Yes, I know. That's only the geometry that allows an insert to fit into a holder. All of the details such as cutting edges, chip breaker design (if it exists), carbide and coating are entirely up to the manufacturer and so highly variable that inserts from different manufacturers can't even be considered the same tool. For example, one insert will cut stainless and have great tool life, while another will shatter almost instantly or leave terrible surface finish.

Also I put almost zero weight on someone having a PhD. I've worked with so many staggeringly unintelligent PhDs in the last 10 years that I basically consider it a red flag at this point. I know two PhDs who I respect as intelligent human beings. I know 20-25 who I wouldn't trust to tie a pair of shoelaces.

[Improvised DIY]

Is there any printable charts available for a rookie like me?

[Saltfever]

I kind of like the graphics on this one but it is only one manufacturer and it is limited. As noted above they all tweak it a bit and there is no agreement on carbide grades and coatings. One distinction is interrupted cuts (like milling) or constant force (like turning). Many seem to offer both grades. If you have a sleep disorder try Kyocera's catalog! :-)

[Toolmaker51]

I kind of like the graphics on this one but it is only one manufacturer and it is limited. As noted above they all tweak it a bit and there is no agreement on carbide grades and coatings. One distinction is interrupted cuts (like milling) or constant force (like turning). Many seem to offer both grades. If you have a sleep disorder try Kyocera's catalog! :-)

And Kyocera is a primer for Iscar and Kennametal.........
I think the variety of inserts configurations chart presented by Altair in Post *1 is a good starting point. You'll soon notice holes in the patterns displayed for such as VNMG's and variety of point angles, or the 6-sided triangle WNMG's.
One trick identifying inscribed circles hides in your 'tool club' drill gauge.
I have few inserts, arranged in same chronological order as insert catalog. Doesn't matter which one or brand, just a simple means of reference. I use form ground HSS or cemented tools 90% of the time, 60° & ACME threads, O-rings, necking & grooving, chamfers, fillets & radii, corner reliefs etc. Inserts don't get attractive unless trepanning, deep parting, or running exotic materials.

None the less, insert designers are clearly evil spawn of printer cartridge designers.