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Unlock the full potential of your lathe operations with our PCD Turning Inserts, one of the UK’s most comprehensive selection tailored for precision, durability and high-efficiency machining.
Whether you're working with non-ferrous materials, composites or abrasive alloys, our range offers robust tooling solutions from world-leading manufacturers designed to extend tool life, enhance surface quality and increase throughput.
Explore the variety and quality that set our PCD inserts apart, engineered for performance and built for demanding applications.
PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond) turning inserts are ultra-hard cutting tools made by fusing diamond particles under high temperature and pressure.
This creates a material that offers exceptional wear resistance, edge sharpness, and thermal conductivity.
PCD inserts are primarily used for turning high silicon aluminium, carbon fibre, glass fibre and abrasive plastics.
PCD turning inserts are ideal for machining aluminium alloys, copper, brass, bronze, carbon fibre, and other non-ferrous or abrasive materials.
They’re widely used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and electronics, where achieving fine surface finishes and maintaining tight tolerances are essential.
These inserts significantly increase productivity by reducing tool wear and extending tool life in continuous production environments.
While both PCD and CBN inserts are designed for high-performance machining, they serve different purposes.
In short: PCD for non-ferrous, CBN for ferrous.
Cutwel offers one of the UK’s most comprehensive selections of PCD turning insert styles, suitable for a wide range of precision machining applications.
Each insert shape is designed to deliver optimal performance depending on the component geometry, cutting depth, and required surface finish.
Below is an overview of the most common styles and their typical uses.
A versatile 80° rhombic insert ideal for general-purpose finishing on aluminium and non-ferrous materials.
CCGT inserts feature a sharp, polished edge for excellent chip control and fine surface finishes, while CCGW types provide a stronger cutting edge for more robust operations.
These 80° diamond-shaped inserts offer exceptional strength and stability, making them suitable for medium to heavy-duty roughing applications.
CNGA PCD inserts are perfect for high-feed turning of non-ferrous materials, delivering durability and consistent accuracy over long production runs.
CNMM PCD inserts, meanwhile, are ideal for heavier cuts, roughing passes, or where a stronger insert is needed to maintain stability under load.
Featuring a 55° rhombic shape, DCGT and DCGW inserts are designed for semi-finishing and finishing operations on aluminium and soft alloys.
Their geometry ensures low cutting forces and superior surface quality, even at high spindle speeds.
A narrow 55° diamond-shaped insert designed for profiling and precision turning. DNGA PCD inserts provide excellent accessibility in tight or intricate workpieces while maintaining rigidity and tool life.
Square-shaped inserts offering high edge strength and versatility for facing and turning flat surfaces. SCGT PCD inserts are commonly used where a stable, smooth cut and excellent surface finish are required on non-ferrous materials.
Triangular inserts are ideal for light finishing and fine turning. The TCGT and TCGW geometries are optimised for minimal cutting resistance, enabling mirror-like surface finishes on aluminium, brass, and copper components.
A variation of the triangular insert, TPGT and TPGW styles combine sharp cutting edges with high rigidity. They’re excellent for high-speed finishing applications where surface quality and dimensional accuracy are key.
These 35° diamond inserts are perfect for finishing contoured or complex parts. VBGT and VBGW PCD inserts offer fine edge control and minimal vibration, ensuring top-quality finishes on delicate workpieces.
Another 35° diamond insert, the VCGT/VCGW range is highly popular for aluminium turning. Their sharp, polished edges reduce built-up edge formation and provide a superb mirror finish, ideal for aerospace and automotive components.
A strong, rigid insert with a 35° angle designed for profiling and fine finishing in hard-to-reach areas. VNGA PCD inserts excel in precision machining where component accuracy is critical.
An 80° trigon insert that offers high edge strength and excellent heat dissipation. WNGA PCD inserts are suited for stable turning of larger non-ferrous parts, balancing durability with consistent cutting performance.
Choosing the right turning insert is key to achieving the perfect balance between performance, precision, and productivity.
By matching the insert geometry, grade, and material to your application, you can significantly improve surface finish, extend tool life, and reduce overall machining costs.
Start with the material you’re machining.
Ensure your insert matches the ISO code for your toolholder (shape, size, thickness, and corner radius). A precise fit guarantees rigidity and stability during cutting.
Match the insert to your spindle speed, feed rate, and depth of cut. For high-speed finishing, choose an insert optimised for low cutting forces. For heavy roughing, select a tougher grade with reinforced geometry.
Sometimes, the most cost-effective insert isn’t the cheapest; it’s the one that lasts longest and reduces downtime. PCD and CBN inserts can dramatically extend tool life on the right materials, improving productivity and reducing total machining cost.
We supply high-quality PCD turning inserts from brands including leading supplier Korloy, Cutwel Pro and Worldia, known for their precision, consistency, and long tool life.
Shop the full range today or get in touch with our technical support team for expert advice on selecting the right PCD insert for your machine, material, and turning application.
Shop from our full range of ISO Turning Inserts, Tool Holders and Boring Bars
General purpose CNC Milling.
.Low cost manual or CNC milling.
For high metal removal with large cut depths & aggressive feed rates.
For high speed aluminium milling with excellent chip flow.
Steel, hardened steel, & cast iron at high speeds.
High metal removal trochoidal milling or super finish profile milling.
.High metal removal milling with large cut depths & aggressive feed rates. For exotic materials.
For carbon fibre, glass reinforced plastic & honeycomb composites.
Tools dedicated for machining of soft and hard plastics.
Steel, hardened steel, & cast iron at high speeds.
High metal removal trochoidal milling or super finish profile milling.
.High metal removal milling with large cut depths & aggressive feed rates. For exotic materials.
For carbon fibre, glass reinforced plastic & honeycomb composites.
Tools dedicated for machining of soft and hard plastics.
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