[juno]

I'm so sorry to have to post this. I don't even know where to begin to post.

I have an MDX-15 and I've just drafted a part using my .125 flat end mill. However, after I started thinking that if I use my .032 ball end mill on a fine pass, the taper where the end mill meets the .125 shaft that goes into the collet is going to bite into my material as the part is taller than the reach of the end mill.

I'm using all the out-of-the-box software (Modela player). Is it going to be smart enough to avoid areas of cut in? (It doesn't ask for end mill reach.) Am I condemned to only machining pieces that are either within the reach of my end mill or have a curved or stepped design?

ARGH!:drowning:

[cb1]

you could modify your endmill to give you more reach.
or you could buy a long reach endmill. 0.032ball is very small so i don't
know how much reach you will get. or have one made with a smaller shank.
i am not sure about your software knowing about clearance.

[Andre' B]

You need to look into the wonderfull world of miniture cutters.
http://www.harveytool.com/products/i...?category_id=4

Usually it is up to you to make sure the cutter body holders and all fixturing will clear. There are some higher end CAM systems that can help but they get very expensive and you end up having to do a lot of work modeling your machine, fixturing, cutters etc. before they will work.

A little drawing a what you need to look at.
http://www.harveytool.com/products/p...Ball+End+Mills

If you are just cutting wax and plastics you can get fairly extreme with the reach of a carbide tool but even so light cuts and attention to speed and feed will be needed.