Sumitomo Product Success Story – Proven Performance on SS 316

A successful machining trial was conducted at one of our customer’s facilities to improve productivity and tool life in a turning application for an auto part component made from SS 316

material with a hardness of 65. The machining was carried out on an ACE Micromatics CNC machine.

Challenge

The customer was previously using a standard TNMG 120408 insert, which resulted in longer cutting time and limited tool life, impacting overall machining efficiency and cost per component.

Solution

To address this, we recommended Sumitomo TNMG 120408 GU AC6040M insert, designed for high performance and durability in difficult-to-machine materials.

Result

After switching to the Sumitomo insert, the customer achieved significant improvements:

• Cutting time reduced from 55 minutes to 1.25 minutes per component
• Tool life increased from 8 components to 14 components per insert
• Despite a slightly higher insert cost, the overall machining cost per component was substantially reduced due to faster cycle time and longer tool life

Customer Benefit

The Sumitomo AC6040M grade delivered excellent wear resistance, stable performance, and higher productivity, making it a cost-effective and reliable solution for SS 316 turning operations in auto part manufacturing.

This successful trial clearly demonstrates how the right cutting tool selection can significantly enhance productivity, tool life, and overall machining economics.