2L Inc. (www.2LInc.com) has developed conical ballnose engraving tools that provide dual functionality. The company said the tools can be used for standard engraving projects and for 3D profiling and surface machining.
The Hudson, Mass., company said its conical ballnose engraving tool can withstand higher cutting forces than standard ballnose endmills or tapered ballnose endmills.
“For example, a 0.010-in. radius conical ballnose engraving tool was able to withstand plunging 0.010-in. deep at 55,000 rpm and 300 ipm in aluminum and made 200 passes over the surface,” a company spokesman said. Conical ballnose engraving tools are similar in style to well known and used standard conical engraving tool, but with a radius tip that produces a cut with a rounded bottom.
“Machining numerous passes at small depths of cut and high speeds yields products with fine surface finishes that would be unobtainable using standard tools,” the company said in a statement. The tools’ added strength gives them the ability to be used for 3D profile work in difficultto- machine materials, the company said.
The tools are available in shank diameters of 1/8 in., 11/64 in., 3/16 in. and 1/4 in. with lengths varying from 2 in. to 6.5 in., tip radius of .005 in., .010 in. and .020 in. and included angles of 30 degrees and 60 degrees.
2L Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes engraving, workholding and industrial products made in the USA.