CUTTING TOOLS MADE WITH PCD (POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND), PCBN (POLYCRYSTALLINE CUBIC BORON NITRIDE), AND CBN-CERAMIC COMPOSITE TOOL BLANKS LEND THEMSELVES PARTICULARLY WELL TO NEWLY DEVELOPED PRODUCTION METHODS. THE USE OF SUCH TOOLS CAN RESULT IN A CONSIDERABLE REDUCTION IN TOTAL MANUFACTURING COST AND MACHINE DOWNTIME MACHINE LEADS TO HIGHLY COST-EFFECTIVE PRODUCTION. THIS PAPER DESCRIBES THE PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY BENEFITS OF MACHINING HARDENED STEEL AND CAST IRON WITH PCBN AND DISSIMILAR MATERIALS WITH PCD. EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON NEW OR UNUSUAL METHODS OF MACHINING METALS.
