KEVOS® MAKEOS · Manufacturing
Ball-Nose Scallop Height and Stepover
What scallop height does this stepover leave, or what stepover gives the target height?
Theoretical scallop (cusp) height left by a ball-nose or radiused cutter on a flat surface for a given stepover, or the stepover for a target scallop height.
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How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Calculate | choice | Choose what you want to find. |
| Ball (tool) diameter | mm | Diameter of the ball nose (twice the corner radius for a bull-nose cutter on a flat). |
| Stepover | mm | Distance between adjacent passes (scallop-height mode). |
| Target scallop height | mm | Largest acceptable cusp height (stepover mode). |
Method and formulas
- h = R − √(R² − (s ÷ 2)²), with R the ball radius and s the stepover.
- s = 2√(2Rh − h²).
- Example: a 10 mm ball with 0.5 mm stepover leaves 6.2539 µm scallops.
Limitations
- Flat surfaces normal to the tool axis; on slopes and curved surfaces the effective radius and scallop change.
- Tool deflection, runout and wear add to the theoretical value.
- Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.
Typical uses
- Set stepover for 3D finishing passes
- Trade cycle time against surface finish
- Check a CAM finishing strategy
Who it is for
- Machinists
- CNC programmers
- Manufacturing engineers
What you get
- Scallop height
- Stepover
- Stepover as a share of diameter
Interpreting the result
- Halving the stepover roughly quarters the scallop height but doubles the passes.
References
- Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 1039–1058, 1279–1300. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
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