Tapered Ballnose Cutters

[SuperDave]

What is 2018 method for adding tapered cutters to the Aspire tool database?

I have read several older posts on how to add tapered cutters to the tool database in Aspire, but was wondering if, over the last 9 years, Vectric has come up with a more appropriate methodology for adding tapered cutters other than calling it an engraving bit. I have some pretty thick sides, on a model with tight spaces, that need a 1/8" finishing cutter and would prefer to use a tapered cutter. . . but can't risk the tapered sides cutting into the edge profiles.

I guess I can always create my own profile and take a shot at it. . . but on this expensive material, I would prefer not to take the risk of getting that wrong either.

[Timvmax]

When you add a new tool in your tool Database, there's an option for Tapered Ball Nose, can you add it here but leave the tip radius at zero?

[martin54]

As Tim says there is an option for tapered ballnose in the dropdown when you add a new tool on top of the other stuff asked in the setup is the side angle so if you preview using the tool you should know if its going to affect anything Think from one of Michael Tylers posts I read once it doesn't but not 100% sure

I have only owned software since V7 but it has been that way since then at least

[SuperDave]

My bad. . .

I usually copy and edit to add a tool; having never used a tapered cutter before.
I didn't see anything in the Tool Tree, but now see the option in the Add Tool Dropdown list.


Thanks!

[ChiloquinRuss]

I am by no means an expert but I think its as simple as 'drawing' the shape of the tip and slant and adding it to the 'tool list' under 'FORM TOOLS'. I have added all sorts of specialty bits using this method. Russ

[martin54]

I am by no means an expert but I think its as simple as 'drawing' the shape of the tip and slant and adding it to the 'tool list' under 'FORM TOOLS'. I have added all sorts of specialty bits using this method. Russ

Russ as Tim said there is an option to select Tapered Ballnose in the drop down list of tools when adding a new tool, no need to try & set them up as a form tool

[ChiloquinRuss]

As a lot of us on here I have NOT yet upgraded to 9 'YET'! LOL So in my antique Aspire version I don't have that option. I love this forum, so much help when ever we need it. Thanks for the reply. Russ

[dealguy11]

Are you sure? There's been an option for a tapered ballnose as far back as I can remember...at least as far back as version 4. I don't have version 2 or 3 loaded on my machine any more, but I could have sworn it was there, too.

[mtylerfl]

Yes. Tapered ballnose category has always been there.

[ChiloquinRuss]

"adding TAPERED cutters to the Aspire tool database" I know about selecting straight sided ball nose bits, that was not what the original request was, it was for a TAPERED ballnose bit insertion into the database. Russ

[martin54]

Russ what version of the software are you running ? We know the original question was about tapered ballnose bits
When you create a new tool the dropdown list contains an option for a tapered ballnose. Dealguy11 says that option has been in the software since version 4, I can only go back as far as v7 when I first started using the software

[IslaWW]

Russ...
The tapered ballnose type in in there, and for my memory, has always been in there. A quick shot from a training slide below:

[ChiloquinRuss]

That's a cool looking screen! I've had Aspire since 2008, ver 2, 3, 4, 4.5 and I've never seen that screen, it's pretty cool. My screen looks like this:

[ChiloquinRuss]

The reason I suggested the 'FORM' tool is it allows for the creator to input a 'line drawing' of the tools geometry and Aspire can then calculate the proper tool paths based on that outline. Russ

[LittleGreyMan]

Russ,

In your tool database window, you have a pop-down menu just under the tool name.

That's where you'll find the Tapered Ball Nose entry. Gary's illustration is a copy of this menu.