Kennametal Introduces Advanced Grooving Inserts to Improve Tool Life and Process Reliability!
Kennametal strengthened its Top Notch grooving and threading portfolio with the introduction of the KCU10B and KCU25B insert grades, designed to deliver longer tool life, improved wear visibility, and more consistent machining performance. These new grades feature Kennametal’s Kengold physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating, developed to enhance wear detection while supporting stable and predictable cutting behavior across a wide range of applications.
The Kengold PVD coating plays a key role in extending insert life by providing a durable, multilayer structure that resists wear while making tool degradation easier to identify during operation. This improved wear detection helps machinists optimize insert usage, reduce the risk of unexpected failures, and improve overall process control. By allowing operators to better judge when an insert is approaching the end of its usable life, the coating supports safer machining conditions and more efficient tool management.
Within the lineup, the KCU10B grade is optimized for high hardness, making it well suited for continuous cutting operations where edge strength and wear resistance are critical. This grade supports consistent performance in stable machining environments, helping manufacturers achieve repeatable results and maintain surface quality over longer production runs. In contrast, the KCU25B grade is engineered with enhanced toughness, allowing it to perform reliably in medium-duty applications that involve roughing operations or small interrupted cuts. This balance of toughness and wear resistance makes the KCU25B grade adaptable to more variable cutting conditions.
Both grades are offered as shallow grooving inserts within the Top Notch system and are designed to deliver strong indexing accuracy and operational stability. Precision-ground insert geometries help ensure reliable positioning and repeatability, which is essential for maintaining dimensional accuracy in grooving and threading operations. The inserts also incorporate a positive chipbreaker design that reduces cutting forces and promotes effective chip control, contributing to smoother cutting action and improved machine tool stability.
Additional design features support quick and easy insert changes, allowing operators to replace cutting edges efficiently and minimize downtime. Strong insert clamping and maximum holding power help eliminate unwanted movement and force shifts during machining, further enhancing rigidity and process reliability.
With the introduction of the KCU10B and KCU25B grades, Kennametal continues to focus on addressing real-world machining challenges by improving tool performance, optimizing cost effectiveness, and increasing productivity. These new grooving inserts are positioned to help manufacturers achieve more consistent results, longer tool life, and greater confidence in demanding grooving and threading applications.
