Top Solutions for Plastic Processing


As the first provider on the market, we offer a special tooling system for machining of various plastics as standard tools in stock. This unique system offers many advantages over conventional tools in plastic processing and the manufacture of plastic turned parts.

Grooving and Cutting off Tools

Grooving and Cutting off Tools

Extremely sharp cutting edges, very good chip control and custom-made blade and cutting geometries. Our tool systems master the challenges posed by the machining of plastics (polymers). No matter with of without chips.

Copy turning for plastics machining

Copy Turning

Special indexable turning inserts and suitable holders tailored precisely to the needs of plastic processing. Suitable for many plastics in cemented carbide and for fillers with PKD inserts.

Kunststoffe Bohren und Fräsen

Internal Machining

Whether drilling, milling, or copying, Dieterle Special Tools offers the right tool for every facet of plastic processing.


All plastic machining tools in the PDF catalog (guide) for available download: Download


 

 

Grooving with chips or chipless-cutting


Dieterle Special Tools distinguish two fundamental machining methods for plastic processing tools: chipless-cutting and grooving. Whether a cutting or non-cutting process is the right choice depends on the properties of the plastic to be processed, the insert depth, the geometry of the workpieces, and the available equipment.

If you are unsure here, we are happy to offer advisory support.

 

Parting off Systems

Parting off Systems

Extremely sharp cutting edges, very good chip control and custom-made blade and cutting geometries. Our tool systems master the challenges posed by the machining of plastics (polymers).

Cutting off tools

Cutting off Tools

Dieterle tools for chiples cutting work particularly well on soft plastics such as elastomers. The knife-like cutting geometries enable nearly burr-free separation of the workpieces from the stock with a fine blade.

KBS - Dieterle Holdersystems for plastic machining


For both processing methods, our holder systems KBS 2-7 and KBS 2-9 are well suited. KBS 2-7 is designed for finer turning machines (from 8-shank) and thus smaller cutting depths up to 10 mm. The Dieterle holder system KBS 2-9, on the other hand, is intended for larger cutting depth up to 18 mm and more robust turning machines.  Cutting depths (tmax) up to 25 mm are realized with our system KBS-2-9-L25. In addition, we have realized cutting depths up to >45 mm with custom solutions.

 

Tool Holder KH


KH holders in sizes 2-7 and 2-9 accept parting off and also chipless cutting inserts.


 

Efficient Machines for Various Plastics on an Automatic Lathe


Reliable results when turning plastics on lathes require specialized solutions. Optimized cutting tools allow plastics to be machined cleanly without deformations or lubrication issues. Very positive rake angles and extremely finely tuned edge geometries ensure orderly chip control, reduce heat generation, and thus increase tool life.

Essential Building Blocks for Successful Processing:

Grooving and parting off: Reliable solutions for the cleanest grooving and parting off processes.
Switchable inserts: Extreme sharpness and chip geometries custom-made to requirements enable repeatable results.
Tool holder system: Coordinated Dieterle tool holder systems ensure perfect plate seating, reduced tool-change times, and increased precision.
Lathe: Balanced lathe concepts for stable processes, high quality, and low scrap rates.

Advantages of a specialized solution:

  • Enhanced chip control through custom-made geometries
  • Higher surface quality of the machined plastics
  • Shorter machine downtime thanks to optimized holder systems
  • Shorter setup times due to rapid plate exchanges

Dieterle Special Tools offers suitable solutions for grooving, parting off and machining plastics on lathes. Contact us for a custom-made solution that makes your machining more efficient.


 

KP-45°

Dieterle 45-degree Parting off tool l plastic machining

The Dieterle 45° has been proven for years in machining of numerous plastics. The unique tooth geometry provides extreme sharpness and a guided chip.

KBS - Shop KBS 2-7 l tmax 10mm 
KBS - Shop KBS 2-9 l tmax 18mm 

KP-45°-R01

Dieterle 45-degree-R01 Parting off tool l plastic machining

The 45° parting insert with rounding off (R 0.1) has proven its effectiveness for many years. The rounding off provides an improved cutting pattern and predictable tool life.

KBS - Shop KBS 2-7 l tmax 10mm 
KBS - Shop KBS 2-9 l tmax 18mm 

KP-225 (22,5°)

Dieterle KP-225 (22.5-degree) Parting off tool l plastic machining

The 225 cutting-off blade has been in the standard program since 2025. With a 22.5° cutting-off direction and an extreme cutting-off angle, it pins down exceptionally sharp, leaving virtually burr-free cuts.

KBS - Shop KBS 2-9 l tmax 18mm 

KP-S1

Dieterle KP-S1 Parting off tool l plastic machining

The simple and incredibly sharp insert. The S1 cutting-off insert without rounding off is the classic for plastic machining. Without special chip control or cutting-off direction. Simple, stable, and even longer-lasting.

KBS - Shop KBS 2-7 l tmax 10mm 
KBS - Shop KBS 2-9 l tmax 18mm 

KP-S1-SP

Dieterle S1-SP Parting off tool l plastic machining

The high positive top rake angle makes the S1-SP even a bit sharper and makes the chips fly. Without a cutting-off direction, it is the best choice for efficient entry cuts.

KBS - Shop KBS 2-7 l tmax 10mm 
KBS - Shop KBS 2-9 l tmax bis 18mm 

KP-S2-SP2

Dieterle S2-SP2 Parting off tool l plastic machining

As a cutting insert, the S2-SP2 combines the high positive top rake angle of the S1-SP with a cutting-off direction of 25°.

KBS - Shop KBS 2-7 l tmax 10mm
KBS - Shop KBS 2-9 l tmax bis 18mm 

KP-S1-PCD

Dieterle S1-PCD Parting off tool l plastic machining

As a PCD-equipped insert, the S1-PCD lead-in insert proves effective for plastics reinforced with fillers such as glass fibers or carbon fibers. Without a cutting-off direction, this insert is well suited for any type of entry cuts into reinforced plastics.

KBS - Shop KBS 2-7 l tmax 10mm
KBS - Shop KBS 2-9 l tmax bis 18mm 

KP-PCD

Dieterle KP-PCD Parting off tool l plastic machining

As a PCD-equipped Dieterle insert, the cutting-off direction proven itself for plastics with fillers. Workpieces made of glass fiber- or carbon-reinforced plastics can be efficiently process-secure cut with this indexable insert.

KBS - Shop KBS 2-7 l  tmax 10mm
KBS - Shop KBS 2-9 l tmax bis 18mm 


 

Chipless-Cutting

 


Dieterle machining tools for cutting and turning are especially well suited for soft plastics and polymers. Their large advantages over conventional turning processes include:

  1. More efficient material usage.
  2. Chip management is eliminated.
  3. Workpieces with clean surfaces.
  4. Cleaning and machine downtime are reduced. 

How is this possible? 

The trick is to sharpen the knife-like cutting geometries so precisely that they glide through workpieces as a fine blade would. Due to the high surface quality of the cutting edge, little heat is generated and the material does not gum up.


 

Chipless Cutting with the KBS System

Machining: Chipless cutting witht KP-2-9-RX-A-UFK2
Material: Polyurethane
Workpiece: Sealing washers
Tooth geometry: RX

  • Extremely sharp cutting edges enable chipless cutting of elastomers
  • Little heat development and no sticking of the material
  • Very good surfaces on the workpieces

 

 

Holder KH-H for conventional automatic lathes


These Dieterle holders with incorporated centre height through heightened insert pocket. The elevated plate seat of the "KH-H" holder compensates for the non-adjustable Y-axis. Thus they are ideal for lathes with a fixed tool holder.

 


 

KP-VG

Dieterle VG cutting-off blade l plastic machining

Dieterle VG cutting inserts is the basic form for chipless processing. The polished cutting-off blade is super sharp. This allows it to glide quickly and with low heat generation through soft plastics.

KBS - Shop KBS 2-7 l tmax 10mm
KBS - Shop KBS 2-9 l tmax bis 18mm 

KP-12°

Dieterle 12° cutting-off blade l plastic machining

The entire chamfer concentrates on the cutting point of the Dieterle 12° cutting inserts. All polished facets converge to this extremely sharp point, through which soft plastics offer almost no resistance.

KBS - Shop KBS 2-7 l tmax 10mm
KBS - Shop KBS 2-9 l tmax bis 18mm 

KP-RX

Dieterle RX cutting-off blade l plastic machining

Dieterle RX cutting-off for plastic processing provides a smooth cut. The cutting effect is distributed radially over a large portion of the polished blade.

KBS - Shop KBS 2-7 l tmax 10mm
KBS - Shop KBS 2-9 l tmax bis 18mm 

 

KP-R3


The Dieterle R3 parting blade is narrower than the RX. Thus, it combines the advantages of a soft cut with the concentration of the cutting edge on a smaller area.

 

 

Dieterle R3 cutting-off blade l plastic machining

KBS - Shop KBS 2-7 l tmax bis 10mm
KBS - Shop KBS 2-9 l tmax bis 18mm 

 

KH-H1 Holder for KP-R3 on conventional automatic lathes


These Dieterle holders feature a raised insert pocket seat for an integrated center height. The raised insert pocket on the "KH-H1" holder compensates for the non-adjustable Y-axis. Thus, they are ideal for lathes with a fixed tool holder when using R3 inserts.

 


 

SALP - Chipless-cutting and Copy Turning with SSXA


Dieterle SALP inserts connect both worlds by chipless-cutting and copy turning. On our SSXA long turning system, the SALP cutting plate can both cutting off and face copy turning, of course with a guided chip.


 

Copy Turning of Plastics

 


 

Tool l Plastics l Copy turning

Shop Copy turning tools for plastics

Dieterle Special Tools has developed special geometries for precise plastic processing in the standard program. Perfect results through efficient processes.

ISO-Indexable l plastics l copy turning

Shop ISO-Indexable Inserts

Our selection of ISO turning inserts tailored for plastic processing for precise copy turning. Efficient solutions through outstanding sharpness.

PCD - ISO-Indexable Inserts l copy turning l GFK and CFK

Shop PCD - ISO-Indexable Inserts

Depending on the application areas, plastics are reinforced with glass or carbon fibers (GFR/ CFR) to improve mechanical properties. For the machining of these plastics, we recommend our indexable inserts with PCD tooling.


 

Tools for Internal Machining of Plastics

 


 

Drill l Plastics l Tool

Shop Drills for plastics machining

Specified polymer geometry, excellent cutting performance, stabilized cutting edges, high rotational accuracy, improved positioning accuracy and hole quality – special drilling tools from Otto Dieterle.

Mill l Plastics l Tool

Shop Mills for plastics machining

Specified polymer geometry, optimized chip evacuation and  excellent cutting performance,  stabilized cutting edge, polished flute, and improved positioning accuracy.