Ball Nose

A ball nose is a type of milling cutter (also called a ball nose end mill or ball end mill) characterized by its hemispherical or rounded tip, as opposed to the flat tip of a standard end mill. This rounded shape distributes cutting forces more evenly, which minimizes tool wear and prevents gouging, resulting in high-quality, smooth finishes.

Ball nose cutters are ideal for complex 3D contouring, such as in mold and die making, and are often used in CNC machines for applications requiring precision and accuracy. The absence of sharp corners and the rounded profile minimize the chance of chipping or gouging the material.