Arches for MDF Raised Panel Doors

[erniek]

I've had good success making raised panel looking MDF doors using a cove bit, a pointed beaded bit for the inside of the frame and a small endmill bit using 5 passes. Now I'm considering trying to incorporate the arched raised panel look but find it challenging. I've figured out that the arch is part of a cosine wave, but to matching all the different passes from the different bits is proving difficult. The passes that are inside the arch aren't a perfect cosine but the offset of one and is difficult to calculate mathematically. Does anyone have any experience with this that could help? I'll attach a picture that shows the two curves,, they're not equidistant all along the curve.

[bleeth]

Once you have your first curve defined to your satisfaction then draw the three straight lines that make the complete shape and join them all. Then offset. The math is done for you by the offset command at this point.
You also may want to look into the "Free Doors" program.

[erniek]

Yeah looks like the graphical design is the way to go with this. Trying to do the offset mathematically is proving difficult. I did like the spreadsheet programming method though. Gives me much better control and the ability to touch up the corners better too.