What can a ballnose offer in 2D?

[HankMcSpank]

Hi there, I posted in the musical section about some acrylic I've cut with my 3 axis mill - my part have come out looking a bit erhmm home made....

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84467

I reckon the edges need either chamfering or rounding.

Can a ballnose help in this instance?

I have one in my collection but don't know how to use it!

I'm only using 2D CAD/CAM at the moment.

[Kipper]

2D will do just fine....use a rounding bit for a round edge and offset it by whatever the tool needs. Or dovetail cutter etc for a bevel profile.....Just create a toolpath with the offset needed....ie up and in.

[ger21]

Get a chamfer or roundover bit and use that on the edge. You could make multiple passes with the roundover, but the others will clean the edge in a single pass. Not sure what you can find to fit in the dremel, though.

[HankMcSpank]

I have aloan of a Proxxon router/spindle which will hold upto 6mm bits (just under 1/4" in old money)

the problem with the roundover bits is that they seem to have a 9.5mm radius. Now bearing in mind those parts (in the photos on the musical equipt forum I linked to) are just 2.5mm thick, I reckon the roundouver cutter bits have a radius which is too big.

this is what got me thinking about a ballnose...i'm new to CNC so still finding my feet & exploring. I realise ballnose cutters are used a lot in 3D, but just wondering if they can be used in 2D to take away the homemade vibe my parts have!