The latest addition to the Mini line from Paul Horn GmbH, the Mini 114 allows face grooving up to 10 mm deep. "Until this new addition, the deepest you could go with this system was 6 mm," noted Michael Morgan, application and sales engineer at Horn USA Inc. in Franklin, Tennessee.

Horn says the insert is designed for turning and copy turning of axial grooves. The company offers the EG55 carbide grade grooving tool in three standard types with cutting widths of 2 mm, 2.5 mm and 3 mm. The minimum grooving diameter is 14 mm, while the maximum is 34-36 mm, depending on the type.

Compatible with the existing Mini axial holder system, the Mini 114 does not require a special tool holder. Like other members of the Mini line, Morgan points out that Mini 114 inserts are paired with low-vibration carbide holders that, unlike their steel counterparts, won't cause chatter or vibration issues at greater length-to-diameter ratios. As a result, he said, the inserts will produce a good surface finish even with long overhangs.

As the name suggests, the face-screwed inserts of the Mini system are small tools for small part manufacturing. The tools have proven to be particularly effective for boring and internal grooving as well as for face grooving, according to Horn.

Though some members of the Mini line are a good choice for both turning and milling applications, this does not apply to the Mini 114, according to Morgan. The reason, he explained, is that Horn grinds the neck of the holder into an elliptical shape. While this increases the mass holding the insert, giving it additional strength, it also creates an imbalance when the tool is rotated. As a result, he said, the Mini 114 is primarily a turning tool.

With the introduction of the Mini 114, the Mini line is now up to nine members, which fit into different bore sizes ranging from 6 mm to 18 mm. (The Mini 114 fits into a 14 mm hole.) In addition to different sizes, Mini inserts come in different carbide grades and can also be made with CBN or PCD tips.

According to Morgan, the 114 offers the widest variety of options of any insert in the Mini line. He reports that the 114 system includes almost 700 standard inserts with different coatings, dimensions and other characteristics that can be chosen to meet the requirements of different cutting applications.

Though most of Horn's main competitors offer products similar to the Mini 114, Morgan said that none of the others can reach a face-grooving depth of 10 mm. And then there's the number and variety of the offerings. "Where we hold an advantage is the breadth of the product line," he said. "There's a lot more standard products that we have that our competitors don't."