ANSI/ASME B94.37M-1979 (1985) — Roller Turner Type Cutting Tools, Single Point

🔧 ANSI/ASME B94.37M-1979 is the American National Standard defining the dimensional envelope for various styles of single-point roller turner tools for automatic lathes. Reaffirmed by ASME in 1985, it covers brazed, solid, and indexable insert constructions and establishes a letter-and-number identification system that maps each tool to the holder style (with its compound angle geometry) and to the shank cross-section size. The standard was developed by Technical Committee 1 (Carbide and Oxide Tools) of the ASME B94 Standards Committee on Cutting Tools, Holders, Drivers, and Bushings, and provides the interface baseline for tool selection, design, and interchangeability in multiple-spindle and single-spindle automatic turning machines.

1. Scope and Units 📌

The Standard covers the dimensional envelope for various styles of single-point roller turner tools, including brazed, solid, and indexable insert types. The dimension rows shown are designated for brazed tools, but the envelope applies to all styles—for the exact designation of solid or indexable insert styles, users refer to individual tool manufacturers’ catalogs. Values stated in U.S. customary units are to be regarded as the standard; metric values are for reference.

The document descends from ASA B81.1-1961, was revised and redesignated ANSI B94.37-1972, and was revised again in 1979 under the current title with metric auxiliary units (hence the M suffix), reaffirmed in 1985.

2. Identification System: Holder Styles 🔤

Letters identify single-point, cemented-carbide-tipped roller turner tools used with various types of holders; numbers designate the shank cross-section size. Holder style designations are:

A third letter added to the WS designation indicates the intended use: “A” for tools used primarily for light cuts terminating at a square shoulder (Fig. 3), and “B” for turning with a 5° lead angle (Fig. 4).

3. Shank Cross-Section Designations 📏

Numbers designate the shank cross-section size of the tool:

• Rectangular shanks: two digits; the first expresses the width in eighths of an inch (3.18 mm) and the second the height in quarters of an inch (6.35 mm). Exceptions: in style WS the 1/8 × 1-1/4 in. size is assigned the number 75, and in style JL the 11/16 × 1/8 in. size is assigned the number 12.
• Square shanks: the number expresses the width and height in sixteenths of an inch (1.588 mm).

4. Dimensional Envelope and Geometry 🔩

The Standard presents, in Figs. 1 through 4, the profile and dimensional envelope of the four style families:

• Fig. 1: Style GS (15° × 15° compound angle) for square shoulder turning, with 0° back rake and edge flank geometry annotated.
• Fig. 2: Style JL (5° angle) for square shoulder turning, showing end and side cutting edges, clearance angle, and edge flank.
• Fig. 3: Style WSA (15° × 20° compound angle) for light cuts to a square shoulder.
• Fig. 4: Style WSB (15° × 20° compound angle) for long turning with a 5° lead angle.

Each figure carries a dimension table (inch and mm) with tolerances for the style-dependent dimensions A, B, E, F, G, etc. For example, GS-series overall lengths run from 2.75 to 4.00 in. with tolerances near ±0.12 in. (±3.2 mm), while widths and heights carry unilateral values such as +0.000 / −0.010 in. These envelope constraints keep tools from different sources seated consistently in the same holder with identical cutting-edge reach.

5. Engineering Practice Essentials 🛠️

• 🔍 Selection workflow: choose the style by operation (square shoulder → GS/JL/WSA; long OD turning → WSB) → pick the shank size from the holder and turret interface → verify the envelope table → select brazed, solid, or indexable construction and finalize with the maker’s catalog number.
• 🔧 Holder matching: GS, JL, and WS demand different holder angles (15°×15°, 5°, 15°×20°)—never mix them; set cutting-edge height on center and the lead angle from feed and depth of cut.
• 📊 Edge management: brazed tools can be resharpened by grinding; indexable constructions index quickly for minimal downtime; solid tools suit high-rigidity high-volume runs. Match carbide grade to cutting speed and feed.
• 📋 Procurement: order with the full letter-number designation (e.g., WSA-43) and state inch/metric units; request the maker’s dimension drawing to verify envelope conformance.

6. Frequently Asked Questions ❓