Horn to take 20 new cutting tools to MACH 2026

An artist’s view of the Horn stand at MACH 2026

There will be a display of no less than 20 new or recently introduced cutting tool products on Horn’s 232m² stand at MACH 2026, taking place 20-24 April at the NEC, Birmingham (Hall 6, Stand 210). Taking centre stage will be the manufacturer’s range of carbide inserts with chip-breaking geometry pressed accurately, repeatably, at high speed, and therefore economically, into each green blank before it is sintered.

It saves the expense of having to painstakingly laser-cut or grind the feature into the insert after it has been hardened, which until now has been the industry norm with miniature inserts due to the difficulty in pressing a reliable, effective chip breaker into such a tiny blank without it warping or losing precision when heated in a furnace. Now that these issues have been resolved, it is notable that the prices of the new Supermini type 105 GM (geometry moulded) boring system inserts, for example, are similar to those of standard inserts without geometry.

As with previous machined chip breakers, the new sintered types avoid the drawback of long, stringy swarf coiling around the tool or workpiece and potentially causing damage to both. The inserts are intended for boring and internally threading components having small holes down to 4mm in diameter.

Pictured right: Horn Supermini type 105 universal boring system with sintered GM chip-breaker geometry

Horn developed teardrop-shaped carbide blanks for the tool, enabling large, precise contact surfaces in the tool holder and resulting in greater rigidity of the overall system. Furthermore, the teardrop profile prevents the insert from twisting, which leads to consistent, precise positioning of the centre height of the tool. When using long tool overhangs, it reduces deflection and minimises vibration during turning.

The inserts are offered as standard in carbide grades TH35 and IG35. They are compatible with numerous 105 tool holders, including round shank, square shank, interface and adjustable versions. All sizes allow internal coolant supply directly to the cutting zone. Overall, the tool portfolio includes around 2,500 different standard variants of the Supermini.

At the recent EMO 2025 exhibition in Hannover, Horn expanded its Supermini 105 system further with six economically-priced GM insert variants for high-end chip control when turning metric ISO internal threads in partial profile. MACH 2026 will provide a first chance to see them in the UK.

The chip breaker geometry generates short lengths of swarf, even with difficult-to-machine and malleable materials, reducing the risk of chip jamming and preventing swarf from wrapping around the tool. The inserts are suitable for producing metric internal threads, in a hole diameter of 5mm and above, with pitch sizes from 0.5 to 1.5mm. Standard Supermini system tool holders may be used.

Also featured on the stand will be Horn’s robust Mini 114 product family, with larger, face-mounted inserts designed for face grooving to depths of up to 10mm. The user does not need to use a special tool holder, as the insert is compatible with the existing axial holder. As standard, Horn offers the EG55 carbide grooving tools in three different types from stock with cutting widths of 2, 2.5 or 3mm. Target materials are those that normally generate long, stringy swarf when turned, such as stainless steels, as well as lead-free materials which are becoming a regulatory requirement.

Excellent process reliability
The face-screwed inserts of the Mini system are one of Horn’s core products. Paired with low-vibration carbide tool holders, the 114 inserts with ground chip-breakers produce good surface finish even with long overhangs and ensure excellent process reliability. The precision tools have proven particularly effective for boring and internal grooving, as well as for face grooving.

Also on display will be the Mini 111 insert with sintered I-geometry chip-breaking, whose primary application is finishing where the depth of cut is shallow. In these scenarios, traditional inserts often fail to break the chip, but the I-geometry forces it to snap into small pieces. To support fine finishing, Horn offers the inserts with corner radii from 0.05 to 0.2mm from stock. Boring is possible in holes from 11mm dia and when paired with Horn’s solid carbide tool holders, the cutters can achieve high-quality surface finishes even with long overhangs. If the even smaller Mini 108 tool system is used, which also has I-geometry, bores from 7.8mm dia can be achieved.

Pictured left: Horn offers inserts for the 66T grooving system with two chip breaker geometries, plus a version without geometry for maximum cutting-edge strength

With the new 66T grooving system, Horn recently expanded its cutting tool portfolio in the area of six-edged indexable inserts, which offer a competitive price per cutting edge. Maximum grooving depth is 9.5mm, which is about 4mm more than is possible with the sister system, 64T. Cutting width is either 2.5 or 3mm and the corner radius is 0.2mm.

Depending on the application, Horn offers 66T grooving inserts with a choice of two chip breaker geometries, 1A or DL, to ensure reliable chip management during machining, plus a further version without geometry for maximum edge strength. The IG65 carbide grade is used for machining stainless steels and difficult-to-cut materials. For general steels, Horn recommends the EG55 carbide grade.

The 1A geometry is suitable for groove turning operations only, while the DL geometry is suitable for longitudinal turning as well as grooving. For the former operation, the inserts are available with a corner radius of 0.4mm. The variants with chip breaking geometry ensure excellent surface quality on the groove flanks and the straight main cutting edge produces a cleanly finished base.

Designed as neutral grooving inserts, they can be clamped in square shanks, with internal coolant delivery to either the left- or right-hand side. Shank cross section is 20 x 20mm or 25 x 25mm. A clamping screw fixes the grooving insert precisely and securely in the central insert seat. The inserts are also compatible with Horn’s modular type 220 clamping cassette holder system.

Launched also at EMO 2025 and making its UK debut at MACH 2026 will be the S234 system that Horn has developed especially for large parting depths. The double-edged system enables a maximum depth of cut of 33mm for reliable, economical parting off. The combination of large grooving depths, rigid clamping, high-performance sintered EN chip breaking geometry and internal cooling makes the system attractive in terms of price/performance.

The inserts are available in cutting widths of 2 or 3mm. The corner radii are 0.2 and 0.3mm respectively. Depending on the material to be machined, the inserts are available in AS65 and IG65 grades. Square shank holders in sizes 20 x 20mm and 25 x 25mm ensure stable clamping. Horn also offers reinforced grooving blades and tool holders for the modular parting and grooving system. All types are equipped with internal coolant supply.