Create a 3D Contour path that follows the bottom Z height of a pocket wall

[deutirium]

I want to finish this pocket's highlighted wall using a flat endmill:

I want to create a toolpath that would run the edge of the toolpath along the highlighted path. I can somewhat achieve this by doing a contour of the pocket's wall and using a very small stepdown, but this is not ideal for a number of reasons. What I am looking for is something similar to the 2D trace toolpath, however given the geometry at hand I am not able to get it to create an appropriate toolpath that follows the pocket's shape without collisions. The ideal solution would be contour toolpath with a final pass that varies along height. Is it possible to create such a toolpath?

[seth.madore · Accepted solution]

No toolpath is going to get you something that will perfectly machine that part, as it's designed. You will have fillets and whatnot to contend with.

That said, I would try the Project toolpath. This will require some sketches to drive the toolpath, but it's otherwise a decent solution.

[deutirium]

Thank you for the suggestion, "Project" did indeed work. I had to create a sketch that is basically a line with offsets that are equal to the tool radius to define the toolpath but the "project" toolpath followed the height as I wanted. The aim is to recreate the shape as closely as possible using standard tooling on a 3 axis mill.