Base Alignment of Angled Parts

[[Si...]]

I created an angled stylus setup ( Vast XT ) to create a program with an assembly that is set on a part that sits like a triangle.

So picture a triangle with each face 3" x 3".

I want to do my Z at the front face which would technically be ( -Y ) .. then I would do a 2d line on the right left wall and a single point on the back ( +Y ) ...

Now the Alignment works. However when i complete it, the orientation snaps as if the part is standing straight up ( Like an L )and not at its angle.

I guess what I am asking is, If i have a perfect Machined Triangle piece with 3 Datums, how do I align that. Should I just use a flat Plate to mount it on and reference that plate as my Z? That still leave my single point, which would be at an angle on one of the faces. Mainly trying to learn more about Angle alignments and how to do them right.

[[Cl...]]

I'd try positioning it like a pyramid. Use the bottom plane a Z Spatial and zero. Then I'd measure the 4 remaining planes and try intersecting them for a point at the tip. Project that point to the bottom plane and then construct a 3d line from the two points. The 3d line would be X zero. Now measure the front facing plane. Intersect it with the Z plane for a line. Use the line for your X+ planar/Y origin.

[[Si...]]

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Ill try this. Just waiting for a CAD model as ive also been doing this manually, which is also a pain in itself lol.

[[Si...]]

This seems to work. Thanks Clark.

Angle Setup.png

[[Cl...]]

Suona bene 😉

[[Je...]]

There is not actual X origin shown in the image. Do not use a theoretical/construction feature as a Base Alignment feature that does not have a defined location. You are asking for a physical machine crash.

Pick up one of the planes on either X side (or both) and utilize as your X origin. Based on all these constructions, I would also advise a Start Alignment for initial pickup as not to mistakenly probe a feature in the wrong order and invert your 2d-line or 3d-line space axis.

[[Cl...]]

I remember years ago in my basic class, the instructor telling us to project the measured
line & point (Plane/Line/Point alignment) onto the plane to use in our base alignment?
Is that not good practice?

[[To...]]

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The line and point are automatically projected to the plane.

[[Si...]]

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I set this up mainly for a pallet program. I have successfully run the individual program a few times and also the pallet program with a 2 row x 4 across ( total 8 units being inspected ) with no crashes. See Clarkes description on setup as I utilized that.

[[Je...]]

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Absolutely fine. Unless I am missing something obvious and I do not believe I am, there isn't an X axis control on this image however. There is a Z plane (no XY constraint) and two angled YZ planes (no X constraint). All intersection (3d lines) can project in X to infinity. Using the center of a line that is made from constructions is not a repeatable method as the center point changes based on the feature definition.

Nutshell: Take a point in X for your X origin in Base Align. You have a Plane/Line/Theo Point alignment and the X can float anywhere.