KEVOS® MAKEOS · Geometry

Compound Angle

What true compound angle results from tilts in two perpendicular planes?

Combine two angles measured in perpendicular planes into the true compound angle and its direction, for compound sine plates, fixtures and hoppers.

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How this tool works

Inputs, units and where to find them

InputUnitTypical source
Tilt angle in the first plane°Slope of the surface measured in the first vertical plane (e.g. seen from the front).
Tilt angle in the perpendicular plane°Slope of the same surface measured in the perpendicular vertical plane (e.g. seen from the side).

Method and formulas

  1. tan C = √(tan²A + tan²B), where A and B are the slopes seen in two perpendicular planes.
  2. Direction of the steepest slope from the first plane: tan R = tan B ÷ tan A.
  3. Example: slopes of 20° and 30° combine to a true angle of 34.314°, 57.772° from the first plane.

Limitations

  • Both angles must be apparent slopes of one plane surface, measured in vertical planes at right angles.
  • Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.

Typical uses

  • Set work on a compound sine plate
  • Find the true slope of a surface tilted in two directions
  • Check hopper and chute valley angles

Who it is for

  • Toolmakers
  • Machinists
  • Design engineers

What you get

  • True compound angle
  • Direction of steepest slope
  • Equivalent single-plane setting

Interpreting the result

  • Set a single-axis sine plate to the compound angle after rotating the part by the direction angle.

References

  • Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 119–121. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.

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Open the Compound Angle calculator