Overview
ISO 6986:2013 - "Side and face milling (slotting) cutters with indexable inserts - Dimensions" specifies the dimensional system for side-and-face (slotting) milling cutters that use indexable inserts. The standard defines the cutter body dimensions (referenced in Figure 1 and Table 1) and lists a set of standardized cutter diameters. The shape and detailed geometry of the inserts themselves are intentionally left to the manufacturer’s discretion. This second edition (2013) is a minor revision of ISO 6986:1983.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Specifies the dimensions of side and face (slotting) cutters with indexable inserts; insert shapes are not standardized.
- Dimensional data: Cutter diameters and related body dimensions are defined in Figure 1 and Table 1 (dimensions given in millimetres). Table 1 includes common cutter diameters (for example: 80, 100, 125, 160, 200 mm) and associated dimensional parameters.
- Nominal cutting edge angle: The standard notes a 90° nominal cutting edge angle for inserts used in these cutters.
- Bore and key dimensions: The dimensions of the bore and key are specified to be in accordance with ISO 240 (Milling cutters - interchangeability dimensions for cutter arbors or cutter mandrels).
- Normative and informative references: Annex A provides a mapping between ISO 6986 designations and the ISO 13399 cutting-tool data representation series (useful for digital tool data exchange).
Applications and practical value
- Standardizes physical dimensions for side-and-face/slotting cutters to ensure interchangeability between cutter bodies, machine arbors, and toolholders.
- Used by:
- Tool manufacturers designing cutter bodies and hubs.
- CNC tooling engineers specifying cutters for machining operations.
- Procurement and supply-chain teams for unambiguous ordering specifications.
- CAD/CAM and tooling-data managers for creating standardized tool libraries and enabling data exchange.
- Quality and inspection teams verifying conformity to dimensional requirements.
- Practical benefits: simplifies selection and replacement of tooling, reduces compatibility issues with arbors/mandrels, and supports consistent tooling metadata for Industry 4.0 and CAM systems.
Related standards
- ISO 240 - Milling cutters: interchangeability dimensions for cutter arbors or cutter mandrels (normative reference for bore/key).
- ISO 13399 (all parts) - Cutting tool data representation and exchange; Annex A of ISO 6986 relates its dimensional symbols to ISO 13399 identifiers (useful for digital tool-data workflows).
Keywords: ISO 6986, side and face milling, slotting cutters, indexable inserts, cutter dimensions, ISO 240, ISO 13399, tool interchangeability, milling cutter standards.