ARNO 3D-Printed Modular Parting Blades – Eliminating Cross-Drilled Coolant Limitations

by Bernard Martin

ARNO’s 3D-printed modular parting blades replace cross-drilled coolant passages with continuous internal channels that deliver higher coolant volume directly to the cutting edge. The result is improved thermal control, more stable part-off operations, and increased tool life in demanding production environments.

The latest modular parting blades from ARNO take a very practical problem on the shop floor and solve it with additive manufacturing rather than incremental geometry tweaks. The goal is simple – get more coolant to the cutting edge, faster and with less restriction, under real production conditions.

Traditional modular parting blades rely on cross-drilled coolant holes. Those passages intersect at right angles or shallow angles that disrupt flow, reduce velocity, and create pressure losses before the coolant ever reaches the insert. In difficult materials or deep part-off operations, that restriction shows up quickly as heat buildup, edge breakdown, or chip welding.

By moving to 3D printing, ARNO eliminates those intersecting drill paths entirely. The internal coolant channels are formed as continuous, smooth passages that run directly from the adaptor interface to the insert pocket. There are no abrupt direction changes, no dead zones, and no compromises driven by drill accessibility. Coolant reaches the cutting edge with higher volume and more consistent pressure.

A key detail is the flank coolant outlet geometry. Instead of a round port dictated by drilling, the 3D-printed blades use a triangular flank port. This shape spreads coolant across the insert edge and into the chip formation zone more effectively. The result is better heat extraction at the point of cut, improved chip evacuation, and a more stable thermal condition during the cut.

These blades are offered in both ARNO-specific mounts (MSA-S) and industry-standard mounts (MSA-I), making them a drop-in upgrade rather than a system change. From the operator’s perspective, setup and programming remain the same. The difference shows up in tool life, surface finish, and process reliability.

In practical terms, improved coolant delivery translates directly into more parts per edge and fewer interrupted runs. Shops running stainless steels, superalloys, or long cycle part-off operations will see the most immediate benefit, but even in carbon steels the added thermal control helps maintain edge integrity and dimensional consistency.

Identification is straightforward – ARNO designates these tools with a “-3D” suffix in the part number. That small detail signals a fundamentally different internal design aimed squarely at process stability rather than marketing flash.

For shops that already rely on modular parting systems, the ARNO 3D-printed blades address one of the most common limiting factors in parting and grooving operations. More coolant at the edge means lower cutting temperatures, more predictable tool wear, and fewer surprises in unattended or high-mix production environments.

For more technical details, application guidance, or to evaluate whether ARNO’s 3D-printed modular parting blades are a fit for your machines and materials, contact JMI CNC Tooling & Automation. Our team can help you select the correct blade configuration and coolant strategy to improve part-off stability and tool life in your operation.