ISO 9766:2012

Overview

ISO 9766:2012 establishes the dimensional requirements necessary for the interchangeability of cylindrical shanks with a parallel flat used on drills fitted with indexable inserts. Applicable to drills with inserts made from carbide or ceramic materials (per ISO 513) and HSS (per ISO 11054), the standard ensures consistent shank geometry, reliable mounting and compatibility across suppliers. This second edition (2012) updates the original 1990 publication and includes referenced figures and tables to support design and inspection.

Key Topics

• Scope and purpose: Defines the dimensions required for interchangeability of shanks with a parallel flat for indexable-insert drills.
• Dimensional data: Detailed geometry, examples and numeric values are provided in Figure 1 and Table 1 of the standard; these cover shank diameters, flange diameters and shank lengths.
• Tolerances: Tolerances on critical diameter(s) are specified in accordance with ISO 286-2 (standard tolerance classes for holes and shafts).
• Coolant provision: The standard requires that a hole be provided to enable axial coolant feed through the drill, supporting modern through‑coolant machining practices.
• Data mapping: Annex A contains a relationship between the designations used in ISO 9766 and preferred symbols from the ISO 13399 series for cutting tool data representation and exchange.

Applications

ISO 9766:2012 provides practical value to manufacturers, tool designers, purchasers and machine shops:

• Manufacturers & tooling engineers can design shanks that meet accepted interchangeability criteria, reducing rejection and rework.
• Procurement benefits from clear specifications enabling cross-vendor sourcing and consistent part replacement.
• Machine shops & OEMs gain assured fit, stable clamping and the ability to implement through‑coolant strategies for improved tool life and process reliability.
• Data exchange & digital tooling systems: The Annex A mapping to ISO 13399 facilitates integration of tool geometry into digital catalogs and CAM/tool management systems.

Related Standards

• ISO 513 - Classification and application of hard cutting materials (carbide/ceramic)
• ISO 11054 - Designation of high‑speed steel groups
• ISO 286-2 - Tolerances on linear sizes (holes and shafts)
• ISO 13399 (all parts) - Cutting tool data representation and exchange

By using ISO 9766:2012 as the reference for shank geometry and interchangeability, organizations can achieve consistent mounting, enable axial coolant feed, and simplify cross‑vendor compatibility for drills with indexable inserts.