Creating line for Z Tool Orientation

[ws376]

I been working with some compound angles to try to machine this icosahedron. The idea being that I use 3+1 machining to overcome he slow rotary speed of my 4th axis making extremely long run times. So I plan to 2d adaptive all the side so I can use the side of the tool as seen here. With that example the shape is much easier to pattern the toolpaths and setup the angles. The faces I am trying to work with now are tilted in all axis. However If I can get the tool positioned right I can keep cutting away at the angles eventually getting all the sides triangular. 

Example I have here showing one of the compounded angles of how I believe the tool could travel looking at it from the top. These are the 2 angles I need to find.

When it comes to making the Z here is an example of how the True Z looks where the shank of the tool is coplanar with the sketch. So where the sketch intersects with the highlighted face is the Line that would need to be defined for Z. Once the Z is found then you can use the plane of the highlighted face to make a line that is on the same plane and is as well parallel with the X axis.

I don't have much experience on handling angles and toolpaths so I been working myself in circles, so decided to see if there is some obvious way to do this. 

[seth.madore]

What tier of licensing do you own? I think commercial users have access to this option (although, it might be a MFG Extension item):

If you don't have access to that option, the other simple thing you can do is sketch some line on the face of the part and select those for your Z orientation:

 

Not sure if that fully answers your question, let me know if you have anything further that is puzzling you!

 

[ws376]

@seth.madore 

Hey there! I do not have that option and it does look like it would be part of the machining extension seeing how it has tilt options as well, maybe the "Part Alignment" feature. I have the basic subscription model with no extensions at this time. 

I was wondering if there was a good way to draw that Z line. If I draw directly on the face then I need to setup that angle to be set to the true Z axis straight up and down. Otherwise it would rotate in the B axis. Seeing how I am able to draw a plane that would be aligned properly. I didn't know if there was a good way to reference that plane whether it be an construction axis or sketch line that would be constrained by the surface of the part and the plane to symbolize the Z therefore generating the exact line. Almost like how you set a rail in the Loft, but instead a feature it be a sketch or construction axis. That or am I just stuck with getting the delta of the angles and sketching a line and dimensioning it to the correct angle. 

[ws376 · Accepted solution]

After more messing around, I figured out a way with only needing one measurement. Since I was working with the triangle I made the top point my reference. I made a offset plane from the face surface of my stock. For some reason I was not able to use the (To) operation and pick the point. So I had to take a measurement for distance along the X axis.  

From that I was able to construct a Point using the "Point at Edge and Plane" selecting the line that I would use for the Pocket Select, and the new Offset Plane, creating a Point.

From there I made a new Axis using the "Axis Through Two Points". Thought this was better then needing to make a new sketch.

Now I have everything I need to generate a toolpath. So I went to my 2D Adaptive I use the same edge I used for picking the point, for my Pocket Selections. Used the Select Z/X Axis plane Tool Orientation. Set Z to the new Axis I made, and X to the Origin X.

With that it generates a toolpath that allows the the tool to use 4 Axis range of motion. 

As well We can see it follows the the face perfectly. 

My toolpath is extremely niche, but thought I would share just incase someone else would find any of these methods useful.