# Turning Insert Tool Life Log Worksheet

> Source: https://netray.co/tools/turning-insert-tool-life-log-worksheet
> Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems.
> Section: Free Tools

## Short answer

Track how many parts each insert edge produces, why edges were changed, and the resulting tooling cost per part.

## Category

mes-shop-floor

## Industry

Machining

## Audience

- Machinist
- Manufacturing engineer
- Tool crib

## Tool

**Kind:** worksheet

**Mode:** editable

**Currency:** $

**Columns:**

#### Date

**Key:** date

**Type:** date

#### Job

**Key:** job

**Type:** text

#### Insert / grade

**Key:** insert

**Type:** text

#### Change reason

**Key:** reason

**Type:** select

**Options:**

- Scheduled
- Flank wear
- Crater wear
- Chipping
- Built-up edge
- Size drift
- Breakage

#### Parts per edge

**Key:** parts

**Type:** number

#### Insert price

**Key:** insert_cost

**Type:** number

**Format:** currency

#### Edges per insert

**Key:** edges

**Type:** number

#### Cost per edge

**Key:** edge_cost

**Type:** number

**Expr:** insert_cost / edges

**Format:** currency

#### Tool cost per part

**Key:** cost_part

**Type:** number

**Expr:** edge_cost / parts

**Format:** currency

**Rows:**

**Date:** 2026-10-12

**Job:** WO-24790

**Insert:** CNMG 432 / coated carbide

**Reason:** Flank wear

**Parts:** 85

**Insert cost:** 9.6

**Edges:** 4

**Date:** 2026-10-13

**Job:** WO-24790

**Insert:** CNMG 432 / coated carbide

**Reason:** Scheduled

**Parts:** 90

**Insert cost:** 9.6

**Edges:** 4

**Date:** 2026-10-14

**Job:** WO-24805

**Insert:** VNMG 331 / finishing grade

**Reason:** Size drift

**Parts:** 140

**Insert cost:** 7.8

**Edges:** 4

**Date:** 2026-10-15

**Job:** WO-24805

**Insert:** DNMG 432 / cermet

**Reason:** Built-up edge

**Parts:** 60

**Insert cost:** 11.2

**Edges:** 4

**Date:** 2026-10-16

**Job:** WO-24817

**Insert:** WNMG 432 / coated carbide

**Reason:** Chipping

**Parts:** 38

**Insert cost:** 8.9

**Edges:** 3

**Totals:**

#### Total parts logged

**Key:** parts

**Agg:** sum

**Format:** integer

#### Average tool cost per part

**Key:** cost_part

**Agg:** avg

**Format:** currency

#### Worst cost per part

**Key:** cost_part

**Agg:** max

**Format:** currency

**Summary:**

#### Edge changes logged

**Key:** edge_changes

**Expr:** count

**Format:** integer

#### Average parts per edge

**Key:** mean_parts

**Expr:** avg_parts

**Format:** decimal

**Notes:** Log the edge that was removed, not the one installed. Edges per insert depends on geometry: negative inserts such as CNMG commonly give 4 useful edges, 80 degree trigon types often give 3, positive inserts often 2.

## Content

**Intro:** Tool life is the cheapest process data a turning shop can collect and one of the least recorded. This worksheet turns insert changes into parts per edge and tooling cost per part, so you can compare grades and speeds with evidence.

**Sections:**

#### How to use the log

**Body:** Add one row each time an edge is changed. Enter the number of parts the edge made, the insert price and the usable edges per insert. The sheet computes cost per edge and tooling cost per part. Add rows as needed, remove the examples, and export to Excel to keep a running history by part number or by machine.

**Bullets:**

- Count parts, not minutes, if cycle times are fixed
- Pick a reason from the list every time
- Log breakage as a change even if the count is low
- Review monthly by grade

#### Reading the results

**Body:** A low parts-per-edge figure with a cheap insert may still beat a premium grade, and the cost per part column shows that directly. Watch for patterns in the reason column. Frequent flank wear points to speed or grade, chipping points to rigidity or interrupted cuts, built-up edge points to speed too low or the wrong coating for the material, and size drift often means offsets being chased instead of the tool being changed.

#### Tool life versus speed

**Body:** Taylor's relationship says tool life falls steeply as cutting speed rises, so a speed increase of ten percent can cut life by far more than ten percent depending on material. Log life at each trial speed on separate rows with the job note, then compare cost per part, not just cycle time. The cheapest part is often between the fastest and the longest-lasting setup.

#### Common mistakes

**Body:** Do not mix different materials on one grade comparison. Do not count scrapped parts as good parts unless you want the scrap included in the tooling cost. Avoid recording life only when it is good. Honest records include early failures, because those events drive the real average. Keep the unit consistent and note coolant condition when results swing.

**Cta:** If your ERP tracks tool issues and crib stock, Netray can help link insert consumption to work orders so cost per part builds itself.

**Faq:**

#### How many edges does an insert have?

**Answer:** It depends on shape and design. Double-sided negative rake inserts such as CNMG commonly offer 4 edges, trigon WNMG often 3 per side on a double-sided insert depending on design, and positive single-sided inserts usually 2. Check the catalog for your item.

#### Should I track tool life in minutes or parts?

**Answer:** Parts per edge is simplest for repeat jobs. Minutes in cut is better when part lengths vary or you compare different jobs. If you log minutes, convert to parts before comparing cost per part.

#### What is a good parts-per-edge number?

**Answer:** There is no universal figure. It depends on material, depth of cut, speed and part length. Use the log to set your own baseline for each job, then try one change at a time and compare cost per part.

#### Can I import last year's data?

**Answer:** You can type or paste rows into the worksheet, and exports go to Excel and CSV. For long histories, keep one export per quarter and compare averages rather than loading everything into one sheet.

## Search terms

tool life log excel, insert tool life tracking, cutting tool life record, cost per edge turning, tooling cost per part, insert change log worksheet, cnc tool life tracking sheet

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