I am cutting 3d spheres (100mm dia) from stl files in machineable wax.
The toolpath is being generated in a program called maquette volume.
For the finish toolpath I am using a 3mm ballnose at 0.4mm increments cutting in a paralell fashion along the x axis.
My machine is a 3 axis isel with servos.
The surface quality is too stepped or ridged -any ideas about how to get the best finish?
1. If I use a different CAM software (say mastercam) to generate the toolpath - would this improve the surface quality?
2. If I use a 1mm cutting tool at say 0.5mm increments would this improve the surface quality - or would it be better to go for a larger dia cutting tool?
3. Is the paralell toolpath the problem - would I be better off trying a contour cut for example?
4. Any ideas about 'coating' the cut piece of wax in anything - i.e fix the surface quality in post processing?
Any help would be appreciated!!!!
The models will always be from stl files rather than true cad surfaces.