Ringwood-based Horn Cutting Tools Ltd (www.phorn.co.uk) has launched a new grooving and parting-off system — 32T — for Swiss-type lathes and smaller fixed-head lathes.

Featuring a precision-sintered grooving insert and a central clamping screw, the system offers easy insert indexability and direct entry into the seat of the tool carrier.

There is no need for clamping elements that could have a detrimental effect on chip flow; and because the head of the clamping screw does not introduce ‘interference’, grooving and parting off can be undertaken adjacent to the spindle.

The insert can be used in a neutral position or as a left-hand or right-hand insert.

By adding the new system to complete its triple-edge insert range, Horn is responding to customer requests for a solution for Swiss-type lathes and other smaller turning machines — in particular, for applications where space is at a premium.

Maximum groove depth is 4mm, with a width of 2mm or 2.5mm. For grooving, the inserts are available with both straight and full radius cutting edges.

Horn offers the insert with a 15deg chamfer for parting-off, and a cylindrically ground chip-breaker geometry is included to ensure reliable chip removal.

The tool carrier features a square shank of 10 x 10mm or 12 x 12mm cross-section.

Each version features an internal coolant supply and is available in both left-hand and right-hand designs.