ENDMILLS • SOLID CARBIDE • MULTI-MASTER USER GUIDE • Step #2 Select the process. Each CAM defines different relevant processes, for example: Surface, 5-Axis, Adv3D, etc. Remember: The advantage of barrel endmills is realized when used for 5 axis, finish milling operations Important Each CAM software has its own features to configure the tools and their machining processes, but the definitions are similar. The following example demonstrates only one way to define a Surface Finish (Ra) and is process dependent. In this example you will notice how many stepovers are required in order to obtain the same Ra with different tools. There are many different options to define the required results from a tool. Example Same Ra – Different stepovers Ball Nose Ø12 R6 [Ø.472” R.236”] Oval Ø12 R80 [Ø.472” R3.15”] Taper Ø12 R250 [Ø.472” R9.84”] Lens Ø12 R25 [Ø.472” R.98”] Take Into Consideration Barrel milling should not always be considered the answer to finishing all 3D machined surfaces. Some part shapes are not conducive to Barrel milling operations. Sometimes, the blend radii of the machined part or the kinetics of the machine result in a complicated CAM tool path which may increase the cycle time compared to using a conventional Ball-Nose milling approach. This is where the need for a highly skilled programmer to make good and effective decisions comes into play. 183