United Grinding (EWAG) CNC Grinding Machines

EWAG Compact Line

$350,000 - $500,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

Spindle Power

15 kW

axes

5 (full 5-axis simultaneous)

insert types

Positive, negative, round, threading, profile inserts

substrate materials

Carbide, cermet, ceramics, PCD, PCBN

edge preparation

Integrated vibratory edge honing system

max insert size

50 mm IC (inscribed circle) nominal

Overview

The EWAG Compact Line is a 5-axis CNC tool grinding machine from EWAG (part of the United Grinding Group), designed for the grinding of indexable inserts, negative and positive-geometry cutting inserts, threading inserts, and profile form tools from carbide, cermet, ceramics, and PCD/PCBN substrates. EWAG specializes in insert grinding — a different discipline from round shank tool grinding — and the Compact Line represents their entry-level insert grinding solution.

The Compact Line's 5-axis configuration provides access to the full geometry of indexable inserts: top rake face, flanks (clearance faces), chip breaker features, nose radius, and edge preparation. The machine uses a vibratory finishing system for edge preparation (also called edge honing or T-land), enabling complete insert processing from flat-ground state to finished, sharp-edged cutting insert in a single machine setup. This is the fundamental capability that makes EWAG the specialist in insert grinding — completing inserts that Walter's round-shank tool grinders cannot address.

The C.O.R.E. technology platform connects the Compact Line to the same operating environment as all United Grinding machines. The EWAG INSERT STUDIO software provides dedicated insert geometry programming with ISO standard insert type libraries covering the most common ANSI/ISO insert shapes, sizes, and chip breaker profiles. New insert geometries can be created from scratch using the software's graphical interface.

At $350,000-$500,000 new, the Compact Line targets carbide insert manufacturers, insert regrinding services, and toolrooms with regular insert grinding requirements. It competes with Agathon's multiGrind insert grinders and Rollomatic's NP50 insert periphery grinder in the indexable insert grinding segment.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Axes	5 (full 5-axis simultaneous)
Insert Types	Positive, negative, round, threading, profile inserts
Substrate Materials	Carbide, cermet, ceramics, PCD, PCBN
Edge Preparation	Integrated vibratory edge honing system
Max Insert Size	50 mm IC (inscribed circle) nominal
Spindle Motor Power	15 kW
Spindle Speed	Up to 8,000 RPM
CNC Control	Fanuc with C.O.R.E. platform
Software	EWAG INSERT STUDIO
Machine Weight	~4,000 kg (8,818 lb)
Machine Operation	CNC
Grinder Type	Tool & Cutter
Cnc Model	FANUC
Grinding Length	7.000"180.000mm
Od Max Grinding Diameter	5.900"150.000mm
Wheel Head	Angle Adjustment:25°Motor:7.330hp5.470kWRPM:10,000
Angle Adjustment	25°
Motor	7.330hp5.470kW
Rpm	10,000
Longitudinal	17.720"450.000mm
Cross	5.910"150.000mm
Vertical	7.090"180.000mm

Specifications sourced from techspex.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Specialized 5-axis insert grinding for indexable insert geometry that round-shank tool grinders cannot address
Integrated edge preparation (vibratory honing) completes inserts from grinding through edge finishing in one machine
INSERT STUDIO software with ISO insert libraries accelerates programming for standard insert shapes and chip breaker families
C.O.R.E. platform provides operator familiarity for United Grinding ecosystem shops
Handles PCD and PCBN inserts with appropriate wheel selection — covers the full cutting material range
5-axis simultaneous capability handles complex chip breaker geometries and form profiles on positive inserts

Limitations

$350K-$500K is a significant investment for insert grinding capability that is typically only justified at production scale
Insert grinding requires different operator expertise than round-shank tool grinding — specialized training needed
50 mm maximum IC insert size limits the machine to standard-size indexable inserts — large form tools may require the larger RS 15
EWAG service technicians are more specialized than standard grinder service — response time can be longer in some regions
Insert grinding programs for complex chip breaker geometries require significant CAM-level programming expertise

Best For

Carbide insert manufacturers producing DNMG, CNMG, TNMG, and other ISO standard insert geometries in production volumes Insert regrinding services reconditioning used carbide inserts from manufacturing customers Toolrooms producing custom form inserts, threading inserts, and profile tools for specialized machining applications Cutting tool distributors with integrated insert regrinding services to extend customer insert life Advanced machining operations with regular requirements for custom insert geometries not available from catalog suppliers

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the difference between insert grinding and tool grinding?

Insert grinding focuses on indexable cutting inserts — the small, multi-sided cutting elements clamped in toolholders. Insert grinding machines like the EWAG Compact Line produce the geometry on the insert's faces and edges. Tool grinding (Walter Helitronic series) produces the geometry on round-shank solid cutting tools like end mills and drills. Both are CNC grinding disciplines but require different machine architectures and software.

02 Can the EWAG Compact Line grind PCD inserts?

The Compact Line can grind PCD inserts using appropriate diamond or superabrasive wheels for roughing and finishing operations. For full PCD edge processing without heat-affected zone, EWAG's Laser Line Ultra is the appropriate machine. Many shops use the Compact Line for carbide and cermet inserts alongside the Laser Line for PCD/PCBN processing.

03 What insert shapes does the Compact Line support?

The Compact Line supports all standard ISO/ANSI insert shapes including triangular (T), square (S), round (R), diamond (D, C, V), and octagonal shapes in both positive and negative geometry. Chip breaker forms from simple flat-top to complex 3D molded geometries can be programmed using INSERT STUDIO. Threading and grooving insert profiles are also supported.

04 How does the Compact Line compare to the RS 15?

The Compact Line is EWAG's entry-level insert grinder with a 50mm IC maximum insert size. The RS 15 is a larger, more capable insert grinder handling larger inserts and offering higher production throughput. For most standard ISO insert sizes, the Compact Line is fully adequate. The RS 15 is appropriate for large form inserts and higher-volume production of larger insert sizes.