LOCI APPLICATIONS

If a point, line, or surface moves according to a mathematically defined condition, then a curve known as a
locus is formed. The following examples of curves and their constructions are widely used and applied in
all types of engineering.
In this lecture, we are going to look at geometry such as ellipse, involute, spiral, helix, cycloid and
epicycloid.
1. To draw an ellipse:
Construct two concentric circles equal in diameter to the major and minor axes of the required
ellipse. Let these diameters be AB and CD in Figure below.

Divide the circles into any number of parts; the parts do not necessarily have to be equal. The radial
lines now cross the inner and outer circles. Where the radial lines cross the outer circle, draw short
lines parallel to the minor axis CD. Where the radial lines cross the inner circle, draw lines parallel
to AB to intersect with those drawn from the outer circle. The points of intersection lie on the ellipse.
Draw a smooth connecting curve.
There are other methods that can be employed to make the drawing.
2. To construct an involute:
The involute is defined as the path of a point on a straight line which rolls without slip along the
circumference of a cylinder.
 Draw the given base circle and divide it into, say, 12 equal divisions as shown in the Figure below.
Generally only the first part of the involute is required, so the given diagram shows a method using
half of the length of the circumference.
 Draw tangents at points 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
 From point 6, mark off a length equal to half the length of the circumference.
 Divide line 6G into six equal parts.
 From point 1, mark point B such that 1B is equal to one part of line 6G.
 From point 2, mark point C such that 2C is equal to two parts of line 6G.
 Repeat the above procedure from points 3, 4 and 5, increasing the lengths along the tangents as
before by one part of line 6G.
 Join points A to G, to give the required involute
3. To construct an Archimedean spiral:
The Archimedean spiral is the locus of a point which moves around a center at uniform angular
velocity and at the same time moves away from the center at uniform linear velocity. The
construction is shown in the Figure below.
 Given the diameter, divide the circle into an even number of divisions and number them.
 Divide the radius into the same number of equal parts.
 Draw radii as shown to intersect radial lines with corresponding numbers, and connect points of
intersection to give the required spiral.
Note that the spiral need not start at the center; it can start at any point along a radius, but the
divisions must be equal. Self-centering lathe chucks utilize Archimedean spirals.

4. To construct an helix:
The helix is a curve generated on the surface of the cylinder by a point which revolves uniformly
around the cylinder and at the same time either up or down its surface. The method of construction
is shown in the Figure below.

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 Draw the front elevation and plan views of the cylinder, and divide the plan view into a convenient
number of parts (say 12) and number them as shown.
 Project the points from the circumference of the base up to the front elevation.
 Divide the lead into the same number of parts as the base, and number them as shown.
 Draw lines of intersection from the lead to correspond with the projected lines from the base.
 Join the points of intersection, to give the required cylindrical helix.
 If a development of the cylinder is drawn, the helix will be projected as a straight line. The angle
between the helix and a line drawn parallel with the base is known as the helix angle.
5. To construct a cycloid:
The cycloid is defined as the locus of a point on the circumference of a cylinder which rolls without
slip along a flat surface. The method of construction is shown in the Figure below.

 Draw the given circle, and divide into a convenient number of parts; eight divisions are shown in
the above Figure.
 Divide line AA1into eight equal lengths. Line AA1 is equal to the length of the circumference.
 Draw vertical lines from points 2 to 8 to intersect with the horizontal line from center O at points
O2, O3, etc.
 With radius OA and center O2, describe an arc to intersect with the horizontal line projected from
B.
 Repeat with radius OA from center O3 to intersect with the horizontal line projected from point C.

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 Repeat this procedure.
 Commencing at point A, join the above intersections to form the required cycloid.
6. To construct an epicycloid:
An epicycloid is defined as the locus of a point on the circumference of a circle which rolls without
slip around the outside of another circle. The method of construction is shown in the Figure below.

 Draw the curved surface and the rolling circle, and divide the circle into a convenient number of
parts (say 6) and number them as shown.
 Calculate the length of the circumference of the smaller and the larger circle, and from this
information calculate the angle θ covered by the rolling circle.
 Divide the angle θ into the same number of parts as the rolling circle.
 Draw the arc which is the locus of the center of the rolling circle.
 The lines forming the angles in step 3 will now intersect with the arc in step 4 to give six further
positions of the centers of the rolling circle as it rotates.
 From the second center, draw radius R to intersect with the arc from point 2 on the rolling circle.
 Repeat this process for points 3, 4, 5 and 6.
 Draw a smooth curve through the points of intersection, to give the required epicycloid.

7. To construct an hypocycloid:
A hypocycloid is defined as the locus of a point on the circumference of a circle which rolls without
slip around the inside of another circle.
The construction for the hypocycloid (as shown in the Figure below) is very similar to that for the
epicycloid, but note that the rolling circle rotates in the opposite direction for this construction.

It is often necessary to study the paths taken by parts of oscillating, reciprocating, or rotating
mechanisms; from a knowledge of displacement and time, information regarding velocity and
acceleration can be obtained. It may also be required to study the extreme movements of linkages,
so that safety guards can be designed to protect machine operators.