ENGINEERING CURVES

Point undergoing two types of displacements

INVOLUTE: Locus of a free end of a string when it is
wound round a (circular) pole

CYCLOID: Locus of a point on the periphery of a

circle which rolls on a straight line path.

SPIRAL: Locus of a point which revolves around a

fixed point and at the same time moves towards it.

HELIX: Locus of a point which moves around the

surface of a right circular cylinder / cone and at the
same time advances in axial direction at a speed
bearing a constant ratio to the speed of rotation.
 INVOLUTE OF A CIRCLE

• Problem: P3
P1
Draw Involute of
a circle. String
length is equal to
the P4 4 to p
4
circumference of 3
5
circle. 2
6
1
7 A 8
P5 P
P8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
P7
P6 πD
Problem: Draw Involute of a circle. String length is MORE
than the circumference of circle. INVOLUTE OF A CIRCLE
String length MORE than πD

P2

P3 P1

4 to p
P4 4
3
5
2
6
1
P5 7
8
p8 P
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
P7
165 mm
P6 (more than πD)
πD
Problem: Draw Involute of a circle.
String length is LESS than the circumference of circle. INVOLUTE OF A CIRCLE
String length LESS than πD

P2

P3
P1

4 to p
P4 4
3
5
2
6
1
P5 7 P
8
P7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
P6
150 mm
(Less than πD)

πD
INVOLUTE OF A PENTAGON

5l

Thread should be taut

48
Problem : A pole is of a shape of INVOLUTE OF
half hexagon (side 30 mm) and COMPOSIT SHAPED POLE
semicircle (diameter 60 mm). A
string is to be wound having
length equal to the pole perimeter Calculate perimeter length
draw path of free end P of string P1
when wound completely. P
P2

1 to P
P3
3 to P 3
4
2
5 1

6 A
1 2 3 4 5 6 P
P4 πD/2
P6
P5
 DEFINITIONS
CYCLOID:
LOCUS OF A POINT ON THE
PERIPHERY OF A CIRCLE WHICH
ROLLS ON A STRAIGHT LINE PATH.
SUPERIOR TROCHOID:
If the point in the definition of
cycloid is outside the circle
INFERIOR TROCHOID.:
If it is inside the circle
EPI-CYCLOID
If the circle is rolling on another
circle from outside
HYPO-CYCLOID.
If the circle is rolling from inside the
other circle,
PROBLEM: Draw locus (one cycle) of a point (P) on the periphery of a
CYCLOID
circle (diameter=50 mm) which rolls on straight line path.

p4
4
p3 p5
3 5

C p2 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 p6 C
8
2 6

p1
1 p7
7
P p8

πD

Point C (zero radius) will not rotate and it will traverse on straight line.
PROBLEM: Draw locus of a point (P), 5 mm away from the
periphery of a Circle (diameter=50 mm) which rolls on straight SUPERIOR TROCHOID
line path.

Using 2H
Using H

4 p4

p3 p5
3 5

p2 C C1 C C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 p6
2 6 2

p7
1 p1 7
P πD p8
PROBLEM: Draw locus of a point , 5 mm inside the periphery of a
INFERIOR
Circle which rolls on straight line path. Take circle diameter as 50 TROCHOID
mm

p4
4
p p5
3 5
p2 3
C C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7p6 C8
2 6
p1 p7
1 7
P p8

πD
 CYCLOID

SUPERIOR TROCHOID

INFERIOR
TROCHOID

54
 EPI CYCLOID :

PROBLEM: Drawlocus of a point on the periphery of a circle

(dia=50mm) which rolls on a curved path (radius 75 mm).
Distance by smaller circle = Distance on larger circle

Solution Steps:
1. When smaller circle rolls on larger circle for one revolution it
covers Π D distance on arc and it will be decided by included arc
angle θ.
2. Calculate θ by formula θ = (r/R) x 360°.
3. Construct a sector with angle θ and radius R.
4. Divide this sector into 8 number of equal angular parts.
 EPI CYCLOID

Generating/
Rolling Circle
4 5
C2
3 6

EPI-CYCLOID 7
If the circle is rolling on 2
another circle from outside 1 P
r = CP

Directing Circle

= r 3600
R
O
PROBLEM : Draw locus of a point on the periphery of a circle which
rolls from the inside of a curved path. Take diameter of Rolling circle
HYPO CYCLOID
50 mm and radius of directing circle (curved path) 75 mm.

P 7

P1
6

1 P2

P3 5
2

4 P4
3
P8
P5
P6 P7

r
= 3600
R
O

OC = R ( Radius of Directing Circle)

CP = r (Radius of Generating Circle)
 CYCLOID

SUPERIOR TROCHOID

INFERIOR
TROCHOID

58