V-carving calculator for engravings

What the V-Carving Calculator Computes

In V-carving (engraving with a V-shaped cutter), the line width depends directly on the depth of cut and the tip angle of the cutter. The deeper the cutter penetrates, the wider the line becomes. This calculator resolves the relationship in both directions: you specify two values and obtain the third.

• Line width W from depth and angle
• Depth of cut T from desired width and angle

The Formula Behind V-Carving

A V-cutter forms an isosceles triangle in cross-section with the tip angle A. The half-angle at the tip is therefore A/2. This yields the pure geometry:

Here, W is the line width, T is the depth and A is the tip angle of the cutter. It makes no assumptions about material or spindle speed: it is exact trigonometry of the cutter profile.

Understanding Tip Angles

The angle determines the character of the engraving:

• Acute angles (e.g. 30°): finer, deeper lines, ideal for delicate lettering and details.
• Obtuse angles (e.g. 120°): shallower, wider lines at low depth, good for large-area, clearly visible contours.

How to Use the Calculator

First, select the tip angle of your cutter. Then enter either the desired line width to obtain the required depth, or the planned depth to see the resulting width. This lets you tune your CAM program before the first chip is cut.

What to Watch Out For

If a line is to be wider than the diameter of the V-cutter, a single pass is not enough: the CAM program then lays several parallel toolpaths side by side. Also plan the depth so that the tip is not overloaded. You will find more tools in our overview of CNC calculators; read more about cutters and engraving in the Knowledge Centre.