United Grinding (EWAG) CNC Grinding Machines

EWAG RS 15

$400,000 - $600,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

machine type

Insert periphery grinding (flanks and cutting edges)

axes

4-5 (rotary table + linear axes)

insert types

Triangular, square, round, diamond, octagonal (positive and negative)

substrate materials

Carbide, cermet, ceramics, Si3N4, CBN inserts

ic diameter tolerance

±0.001 mm

corner radius accuracy

<3 µm

Overview

The EWAG RS 15 is a high-precision CNC insert periphery grinding machine from EWAG, designed for the precision grinding of the peripheral faces (flanks and cutting edges) of indexable inserts in carbide, cermet, ceramics, and cutting material substrates. The RS 15 targets insert manufacturers requiring tight dimensional tolerances on insert thickness, IC (inscribed circle) diameter, and corner radius — tolerances that determine how accurately the insert locates in its toolholder and how consistently it machines.

The RS 15 uses a rotary table with precision workholding to rotate the insert through successive grinding positions, grinding each flank face and edge in sequence with consistent angular relationship. The machine's high-precision rotary table indexing enables ±0.001 mm IC diameter tolerance and corner radius form accuracy measured in single-digit microns — the tolerances that distinguish precision-ground inserts from molded inserts in terms of runout and part-to-part consistency.

Inline gauging integration enables closed-loop dimensional control — the machine measures the insert after each grinding pass and adjusts subsequent passes automatically to achieve target dimensions. This automation eliminates manual measurement interruptions and maintains consistent tolerances across production runs measured in thousands of inserts. The C.O.R.E. platform provides the familiar operating environment standard across United Grinding machines.

At $400,000-$600,000 new, the RS 15 targets carbide insert manufacturers, cemented carbide tool companies, and ceramic and cermet insert producers where peripheral grinding precision is a competitive differentiator. It competes with Agathon's multiGrind and LACH DIAMOND grinding systems in the precision insert periphery grinding segment.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Machine Type	Insert periphery grinding (flanks and cutting edges)
Axes	4-5 (rotary table + linear axes)
Insert Types	Triangular, square, round, diamond, octagonal (positive and negative)
Substrate Materials	Carbide, cermet, ceramics, Si3N4, CBN inserts
Ic Diameter Tolerance	±0.001 mm
Corner Radius Accuracy	<3 µm
Inline Gauging	Yes (closed-loop dimensional control)
Max Insert Ic	25.4 mm (1.0 in) standard; larger configurations available
CNC Control	Fanuc with C.O.R.E. platform
Software	EWAG RS STUDIO
Machine Weight	~5,500 kg (12,125 lb)

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

±0.001 mm IC diameter tolerance enables precision-grade inserts with consistent toolholder seating and minimal runout
Inline gauging with closed-loop control maintains dimensional targets across full production runs without manual measurement
Corner radius accuracy under 3 µm delivers surface finish quality and tool life advantages in finishing applications
Handles carbide, cermet, ceramics, and CBN substrates across the full cutting material spectrum
C.O.R.E. platform consistency for United Grinding shops
Automated insert processing enables high-volume production with minimal operator intervention

Limitations

$400K-$600K investment requires sustained high-volume insert production to justify
Periphery grinding focuses on insert flanks and IC — not a substitute for the Compact Line's full 5-axis insert face grinding capability
Insert periphery grinding is a highly specialized discipline with a steep learning curve for new operators
Maximum IC size limits the machine to standard-size inserts — very large form inserts may not fit
EWAG service technicians specialized for insert grinders may have longer response times in some regions

Best For

Carbide insert manufacturers producing precision-grade ANSI/ISO standard inserts with tight IC tolerance for premium toolholder seating Ceramic and Si3N4 insert manufacturers requiring precision grinding of brittle cutting materials Cermet insert producers where peripheral finish and dimensional accuracy directly affect tool life in hard turning applications High-volume insert producers integrating inline gauging and closed-loop control to minimize rejects and rework Insert manufacturers competing on precision and consistency against molded insert suppliers in premium machining markets

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is insert periphery grinding?

Insert periphery grinding is the precision grinding of the flank faces and cutting edges around the perimeter of an indexable insert. This determines the insert's IC (inscribed circle) diameter, flank face geometry, and corner radius with tolerances of ±0.001 mm or better. Periphery grinding produces tighter tolerances than molded inserts and controls the exact geometry of the cutting edge.

02 How does the RS 15 differ from the Compact Line?

The RS 15 specializes in insert periphery (flank face and edge) grinding with inline gauging for dimensional control. The Compact Line provides full 5-axis insert grinding including top rake face, chip breakers, and edge preparation in addition to periphery grinding. In a complete insert manufacturing cell, shops typically use both: the RS 15 for precision periphery grinding and the Compact Line for complete geometry and chip breaker production.

03 What IC tolerances does the RS 15 achieve?

The RS 15 achieves IC diameter tolerances of ±0.001 mm (±0.00004 in) — this is the tolerance difference between ISO tolerance class G and M inserts. Precision-grade (G tolerance) inserts ground on the RS 15 provide tighter seating in toolholders and better runout consistency than molded M-tolerance inserts.

04 Can the RS 15 grind ceramic and Si3N4 inserts?

Yes. The RS 15 uses diamond grinding wheels appropriate for hard, brittle cutting materials including technical ceramics (Al2O3, Si3N4), silicon carbide, and CBN compounds. Grinding ceramics requires lower material removal rates, higher coolant flow, and careful wheel selection to avoid subsurface cracking. EWAG provides application-specific setup guidance for ceramic insert grinding.