From workpiece material to the cutting edge
EHWA cutting tool catalogues connect cutting materials, tool geometries and manufacturing processes. They cover turning, boring, grooving and parting, milling, and rotary tools. Selection starts with the workpiece material, its condition and the surface to be produced.
PCD means polycrystalline diamond, called PKD in German. PCBN means polycrystalline cubic boron nitride. SCD is single-crystal diamond. These cutting materials have different application fields and are not selected solely from a shared hardness scale.
Cutting materials and documented applications
| Cutting material | Applications named in the catalogue | Design considerations |
|---|---|---|
| PCD | Aluminium and copper alloys, composites and selected non-metallic materials | Surface finish, wear and grain structure |
| PCBN | Hardened steel, cast iron and other suitable ferrous materials | Grade, interruption and cutting edge design |
| CVD diamond | Suitable non-ferrous and non-metallic materials | Diamond design and machining task |
| SCD / single-crystal diamond | Precise surfaces and edges on suitable materials | Cutting edge geometry and crystal orientation |
Geometry and the tool solution
The complete catalogue includes inserts, holders, boring and milling tools, and tools for fine finishing. Cutting material grade and insert shape only form a complete solution when combined with clearance angle, radius, mounting and process. PCBN documentation also distinguishes continuous cuts and different degrees of interruption.
The benefits described include high surface quality, wear resistance, dimensional accuracy and cost-effective stock removal. Tool design assesses these objectives together. Higher removal performance is useful only when the required component quality and cutting edge life are achieved in the process.
The supplementary Cutting QR flyer shows specific automotive applications, including PCBN for heat-treated constant-velocity joint components. It adds product examples to the complete catalogue without replacing its full insert and holder tables.
Catalogue example: PCD grades
The German and English complete catalogues give the following grade characteristics on PDF page 14:
| Grade | Grain size | Diamond content |
|---|---|---|
| EP20 | 0.5 µm | 85 vol.% |
| EP58 | 20-25 µm | 94 vol.% |
The source describes EP20 in relation to fine surfaces and sharp edges, and EP58 in relation to wear resistance. This does not imply a general grade recommendation for every aluminium component. Workpiece material, chip formation, cutting edge and process must match the selection.
Your technical enquiry
Send a drawing, material designation, machine and mounting details, and the intended result. For existing processes, the current tool specification, machining data and a description of the wear pattern help. Mention the topic and relevant catalogue page. We discuss the tool design and next steps with you.
EHWA Europe GmbH
Sources and complete catalogues
- Cutting Tools - German complete catalogue, PDF pages 12, 14, 16; contents 5; HQ source.
- Cutting Tools - English complete catalogue, PDF pages 12, 14, 16; contents 5; HQ source.
- Cutting QR - PCBN for constant-velocity joints, PDF pages 4-5; HQ source.
This thematic overview is a compact introduction to these applications. The linked original catalogues contain further designs, tables and technical information.