KEVOS® MAKEOS · Manufacturing
Tool Nose Radius Compensation for Tapers
How far must the programmed taper line move to allow for the insert nose radius?
Compensation along Z and X for programming a taper or chamfer with the imaginary tool tip of a radiused insert, and the profile error if no compensation is applied.
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How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Insert nose radius | mm | Nose radius of the insert (0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 mm are common). |
| Taper angle from the Z axis | ° | Angle of the taper or chamfer measured from the spindle (Z) axis: 0° is a plain diameter, 90° a face. |
Method and formulas
- With the imaginary tip programmed on the drawn line, the nose stands off the true profile by r(sin θ + cos θ − 1), measured square to the taper.
- Shift the programmed line into the material by ΔZ = r(1 − tan(θ ÷ 2)) along Z, or ΔX = r(1 − tan((90° − θ) ÷ 2)) along X (radius; double it for diameter).
- For a 45° chamfer both shifts are 0.586 r.
- Example: a 0.8 mm nose on a 45° chamfer needs 0.46863 mm along Z (or 0.93726 mm on diameter).
Limitations
- Straight tapers only; arcs need the radius adjusted by the nose radius instead.
- Assumes the usual imaginary tip for OD turning; check the tip orientation code for your tool.
- Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.
Typical uses
- Program tapers and chamfers without cutter compensation
- Check the error left by an uncompensated program
- Explain nose radius effects to operators
Who it is for
- Machinists
- CNC programmers
- Manufacturing engineers
What you get
- Compensation along Z
- Compensation along X (radius and diameter)
- Profile error if uncompensated
Interpreting the result
- With tool nose radius compensation active (G41/G42), the control applies this automatically; use these values for manual programming or checks.
References
- Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 782–790, 1289–1300. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
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Open the Tool Nose Radius Compensation for Tapers calculator
