Grooving tool

What is a grooving tool and how does it differ from a parting tool? 

When it comes to precision turning operations, choosing the right tool is critical. If you’re machining circlip grooves according to DIN 471, you need a specialized grooving tool—not a parting tool. 

A grooving tool is designed to machine precision grooves on the outer diameter of a workpiece, typically for retaining rings. A parting tool, on the other hand, is made to cut off parts from bar stock. The geometry, cutting depth, and stability requirements differ significantly between the two. 

QuadGroove®, developed by Scandinavian Tool Systems AB, is a dedicated grooving solution for external circlip grooves. It combines dimensional precision, robust tool design, and full compatibility with DIN 471 standards—ensuring reliable, repeatable performance in industrial turning environments. 

Which type of grooving tool suits your machine? 

There are many grooving tools on the market—but few are as well-suited for external circlip grooves as QuadGroove®. 

  • Standard Sizes: Available in both 12 mm (12E) and 20 mm (20E) tool holders
  • Dimensional Accuracy: Groove width tolerances within ±0.02 mm
  • Wide Range: Supports groove widths from 0.8 mm up to 4.0 mm
  • Circlip-Ready: Precisely engineered to match DIN 471 groove specs 

Thanks to its modular design, it’s easy to match the right insert and holder configuration based on your machine and workpiece requirements. 

 Grooving & parting in steel, aluminium and stainless 

QuadGroove® performs reliably across a wide range of materials, assuming correct insert geometry and cutting parameters are used: 

  • Steel (C45, S355, etc.): The robust geometry of the system handles tougher jobs and larger batch sizes. 
  • Aluminium: Use polished inserts with reduced cutting speeds to avoid built-up edge. 
  • Stainless Steel (AISI 304/316): Requires optimized chipbreakers and coolant for heat and chip control. 

With its precise geometry and surface finish, QuadGroove® ensures consistent chip evacuation and minimal burrs regardless of material. 

How to ensure compatibility with your toolholder 

QuadGroove® is available in two core interface standards: 

  • 12E: For smaller groove widths (0.8–1.75 mm) 
  • 20E: For medium-to-large groove widths (2.0–4.0 mm) 

This makes it easy to integrate with existing turning setups, especially those following ISO toolholder standards. The tool dimensions are engineered to fit most turret systems without modification. 

Get started with QuadGroove® 

QuadGroove® is designed for professionals who need precision external grooving. Optimized for DIN 471 circlip grooves, it offers high dimensional accuracy, wide compatibility, and outstanding durability.