ENGINEERING CURVES

Part-II
(Point undergoing two types of displacements)

INVOLUTE CYCLOID SPIRAL HELIX

1. Involute of a circle 1. General Cycloid 1. Spiral of 1. On Cylinder
a)String Length = D One Convolution.
2. Trochoid 2. On a Cone
b)String Length > D ( superior) 2. Spiral of
3. Trochoid Two Convolutions.
c)String Length < D ( Inferior)
4. Epi-Cycloid
2. Pole having Composite
shape. 5. Hypo-Cycloid

AND Methods of Drawing

3. Rod Rolling over
Tangents & Normals
a Semicircular Pole.
To These Curves.
 DEFINITIONS
CYCLOID:
IT IS A LOCUS OF A POINT ON THE SUPERIORTROCHOID:
PERIPHERY OF A CIRCLE WHICH IF THE POINT IN THE DEFINATION
ROLLS ON A STRAIGHT LINE PATH. OF CYCLOID IS OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE

INFERIOR TROCHOID.:
INVOLUTE: IF IT IS INSIDE THE CIRCLE
IT IS A LOCUS OF A FREE END OF A STRING
WHEN IT IS WOUND ROUND A CIRCULAR POLE EPI-CYCLOID
IF THE CIRCLE IS ROLLING ON
ANOTHER CIRCLE FROM OUTSIDE
SPIRAL:
IT IS A CURVE GENERATED BY A POINT HYPO-CYCLOID.
WHICH REVOLVES AROUND A FIXED POINT IF THE CIRCLE IS ROLLING FROM INSIDE
AND AT THE SAME MOVES TOWARDS IT. THE OTHER CIRCLE,

HELIX:
IT IS A CURVE GENERATED BY A POINT WHICH
MOVES AROUND THE SURFACE OF A RIGHT CIRCULAR
CYLINDER / CONE AND AT THE SAME TIME ADVANCES IN AXIAL DIRECTION
Problem no 17: Draw Involute of a circle. INVOLUTE OF A CIRCLE
String length is equal to the circumference of circle.
Solution Steps:
1) Point or end P of string AP is exactly
D distance away from A. Means if this
string is wound round the circle, it will
completely cover given circle. B will P2
meet A after winding.
2) Divide D (AP) distance into 8
number of equal parts. P3
3) Divide circle also into 8 number of P1
equal parts.

2 to p
4) Name after A, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. up to 8
3
on D line AP as well as on circle (in to
p
anticlockwise direction).

op
5) To radius C-1, C-2, C-3 up to C-8

1t
draw tangents (from 1,2,3,4,etc to
circle).
4 to p
6) Take distance 1 to P in compass and P4
4
mark it on tangent from point 1 on 3
circle (means one division less than 5
distance AP). 2
7) Name this point P1 6
op
5t

8) Take 2-B distance in compass and 1

mark it on the tangent from point 2. 7 A 8
6 to p

Name it point P2. 7

to P
P5 p P8
9) Similarly take 3 to P, 4 to P, 5 to P up 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
to 7 to P distance in compass and mark P7
on respective tangents and locate P3, P6 
P4, P5 up to P8 (i.e. A) points and join
them in smooth curve it is an INVOLUTE D
of a given circle.
 INVOLUTE OF A CIRCLE
Problem 18: Draw Involute of a circle.
String length MORE than D
String length is MORE than the circumference of circle.

Solution Steps: P2
In this case string length is more
than  D.
But remember!
Whatever may be the length of P3 P1
string, mark  D distance

2 to p
horizontal i.e.along the string
and divide it in 8 number of 3
to
equal parts, and not any other p

p
distance. Rest all steps are same

o
1t
as previous INVOLUTE. Draw
the curve completely.

4 to p
P4 4
3
5
2
op
5t

6
1
P5 7
8
7 p8 1 P
6 to p

to
p
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
P7
165 mm
P6 (more than D)
D
Problem 19: Draw Involute of a circle. INVOLUTE OF A CIRCLE
String length is LESS than the circumference of circle. String length LESS than D

Solution Steps: P2
In this case string length is Less
than  D.
But remember!
Whatever may be the length of P3
P1
string, mark  D distance
horizontal i.e.along the string
and divide it in 8 number of

2 to p
3
to
equal parts, and not any other p
distance. Rest all steps are same
as previous INVOLUTE. Draw

p
o
1t
the curve completely.
4 to p
P4 4
3
5
2
p
o

6
5t

1
6 to p

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

D
 PROBLEM 20 : A POLE IS OF A SHAPE OF HALF HEXABON AND SEMICIRCLE.
ASTRING IS TO BE WOUND HAVING LENGTH EQUAL TO THE POLE PERIMETER
INVOLUTE
DRAW PATH OF FREE END P OF STRING WHEN WOUND COMPLETELY. OF
COMPOSIT SHAPED POLE
(Take hex 30 mm sides and semicircle of 60 mm diameter.)

SOLUTION STEPS:
Draw pole shape as per
dimensions. P1
Divide semicircle in 4
parts and name those
P
along with corners of
P2
hexagon.
Calculate perimeter
length.

1 to P
Show it as string AP.
On this line mark 30mm
2
to
from A

P
Mark and name it 1

A to
Mark D/2 distance on it
from 1
And dividing it in 4 parts P3
name 2,3,4,5. 3 to P 3
Mark point 6 on line 30 4
2
mm from 5
Now draw tangents from
5 1
all points of pole
oP

and proper lengths as

6 A
4t

done in all previous

5 to P

involute’s problems and 1 2 3 4 5 6 P

6t
oP

complete the curve. D/2

P4
P6
P5
PROBLEM 21 : Rod AB 85 mm long rolls over
a semicircular pole without slipping from
it’s initially vertical position till it becomes
up-side-down vertical. B
Draw locus of both ends A & B.

4
A4
Solution Steps?
If you have studied previous problems B1
properly, you can surely solve this also.
Simply remember that this being a rod, A3
it will roll over the surface of pole. 3
Means when one end is approaching,
other end will move away from poll.
OBSERVE ILLUSTRATION CAREFULLY!

D 2

A2 B2
2
1
3
1

A1 A 4

B3
B4
PROBLEM 22: DRAW LOCUS OF A POINT ON THE PERIPHERY OF A CIRCLE CYCLOID
WHICH ROLLS ON STRAIGHT LINE PATH. Take Circle diameter as 50 mm

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

D

Solution Steps:
1) From center C draw a horizontal line equal to D distance.
2) Divide D distance into 8 number of equal parts and name them C1, C2, C3__ etc.
3) Divide the circle also into 8 number of equal parts and in clock wise direction, after P name 1, 2, 3 up to 8.
4) From all these points on circle draw horizontal lines. (parallel to locus of C)
5) With a fixed distance C-P in compass, C1 as center, mark a point on horizontal line from 1. Name it P.
6) Repeat this procedure from C2, C3, C4 upto C8 as centers. Mark points P2, P3, P4, P5 up to P8 on the
horizontal lines drawn from 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 respectively.
7) Join all these points by curve. It is Cycloid.
 PROBLEM 23: DRAW LOCUS OF A POINT , 5 MM AWAY FROM THE PERIPHERY OF A SUPERIOR TROCHOID
CIRCLE WHICH ROLLS ON STRAIGHT LINE PATH. Take Circle diameter as 50 mm

4 p4

p3 p5
3 5

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

p7
1 p1 7
P D p8

Solution Steps:
1) Draw circle of given diameter and draw a horizontal line from it’s center C of length  D and divide it
in 8 number of equal parts and name them C1, C2, C3, up to C8.
2) Draw circle by CP radius, as in this case CP is larger than radius of circle.
3) Now repeat steps as per the previous problem of cycloid, by dividing this new circle into 8 number of
equal parts and drawing lines from all these points parallel to locus of C and taking CP radius wit
different positions of C as centers, cut these lines and get different positions of P and join
4) This curve is called Superior Trochoid.
 PROBLEM 24: DRAW LOCUS OF A POINT , 5 MM INSIDE THE PERIPHERY OF A
CIRCLE WHICH ROLLS ON STRAIGHT LINE PATH. Take Circle diameter as 50 mm INFERIOR TROCHOID

p4
4
p3 p5
3 5
p2
C C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 p 6 C8
2 6
p1 p7
1 7
P p8

D

Solution Steps:
1) Draw circle of given diameter and draw a horizontal line from it’s center C of length  D and divide it
in 8 number of equal parts and name them C1, C2, C3, up to C8.
2) Draw circle by CP radius, as in this case CP is SHORTER than radius of circle.
3) Now repeat steps as per the previous problem of cycloid, by dividing this new circle into 8 number
of equal parts and drawing lines from all these points parallel to locus of C and taking CP radius
with different positions of C as centers, cut these lines and get different positions of P and join
those in curvature.
4) This curve is called Inferior Trochoid.
 PROBLEM 25: DRAW LOCUS OF A POINT ON THE PERIPHERY OF A CIRCLE
WHICH ROLLS ON A CURVED PATH. Take diameter of rolling Circle 50 mm
And radius of directing circle i.e. curved path, 75 mm.
EPI CYCLOID :

Solution Steps:
1) When smaller circle will roll on larger
circle for one revolution it will cover  D
distance on arc and it will be decided by
included arc angle .
2) Calculate  by formula  = (r/R) x 3600.
Generating/
3) Construct angle  with radius OC and Rolling Circle
draw an arc by taking O as center OC as 4 5
radius and form sector of angle . C2 C3
C1 C4
4) Divide this sector into 8 number of 3 6
equal angular parts. And from C onward C C
5
name them C1, C2, C3 up to C8. 7
5) Divide smaller circle (Generating circle) 2

C6
also in 8 number of equal parts. And next
to P in clockwise direction name those 1,
1 P
r = CP

C7
2, 3, up to 8.
6) With O as center, O-1 as radius draw an
arc in the sector. Take O-2, O-3, O-4, O-5 Directing Circle
up to O-8 distances with center O, draw all R C
8
concentric arcs in sector. Take fixed
distance C-P in compass, C1 center, cut arc = r 3600
R
+

of 1 at P1.
Repeat procedure and locate P2, P3, P4, P5 O
unto P8 (as in cycloid) and join them by
smooth curve. This is EPI – CYCLOID.
PROBLEM 26: DRAW LOCUS OF A POINT ON THE PERIPHERY OF A CIRCLE
WHICH ROLLS FROM THE INSIDE OF A CURVED PATH. Take diameter of
HYPO CYCLOID
rolling circle 50 mm and radius of directing circle (curved path) 75 mm.

Solution Steps:
1) Smaller circle is rolling
here, inside the larger circle.
It has to rotate anticlockwise
to move ahead. P 7
2) Same steps should be
taken as in case of EPI – P1
6
CYCLOID. Only change is in
numbering direction of 8 1 P2 C2
C1 C3
number of equal parts on the C4
smaller circle. C C
P3 5 5
3) From next to P in
2 C
anticlockwise direction, 6
name 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8.
4 P4 C
4) Further all steps are that 3 7
of epi – cycloid. This is called P8
P5
HYPO – CYCLOID. P6 P7

C8
r
= 3600
R
+

OC = R ( Radius of Directing Circle)

CP = r (Radius of Generating Circle)
 Problem 27: Draw a spiral of one convolution. Take distance PO 40 mm. SPIRAL
IMPORTANT APPROACH FOR CONSTRUCTION!
FIND TOTAL ANGULAR AND TOTAL LINEAR DISPLACEMENT
AND DIVIDE BOTH IN TO SAME NUMBER OF EQUAL PARTS.
2

P2
olution Steps 3 1
P1
With PO radius draw a circle
and divide it in EIGHT parts. P3
Name those 1,2,3,4, etc. up to 8
Similarly divided line PO also in
EIGHT parts and name those 4 P4 O P
1,2,3,-- as shown. 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
P7
Take o-1 distance from op line
P5 P6
and draw an arc up to O1 radius
vector. Name the point P1
Similarly mark points P2, P3, P4 7
5
up to P8
And join those in a smooth curve.
It is a SPIRAL of one convolution. 6
Problem 28 SPIRAL
Point P is 80 mm from point O. It starts moving towards O and reaches it in two of
revolutions around.it Draw locus of point P (To draw a Spiral of TWO convolutions).
two convolutions
IMPORTANT APPROACH FOR CONSTRUCTION!
FIND TOTAL ANGULAR AND TOTAL LINEAR DISPLACEMENT
AND DIVIDE BOTH IN TO SAME NUMBER OF EQUAL PARTS.

2,10
P2

3,11 P1 1,9
SOLUTION STEPS: P3

Total angular displacement here P10

is two revolutions And P9

Total Linear displacement here P11

16 13 10 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 P
is distance PO. P4 P8 8,16
Just divide both in same parts i.e. 4,12 P12
P15

Circle in EIGHT parts. P13 P14

( means total angular displacement
in SIXTEEN parts) P7
Divide PO also in SIXTEEN parts. P5

Rest steps are similar to the previous P6

7,15
5,13
problem.

6,14
 HELIX
(UPON A CYLINDER)
PROBLEM: Draw a helix of one convolution, upon a cylinder. P8
Given 80 mm pitch and 50 mm diameter of a cylinder. 8
(The axial advance during one complete revolution is called P7
The pitch of the helix) 7
P6
6
P5
SOLUTION: 5
Draw projections of a cylinder.
Divide circle and axis in to same no. of equal parts. ( 8 ) 4 P4
Name those as shown.
Mark initial position of point ‘P’
3 P3
Mark various positions of P as shown in animation. 2 P2
Join all points by smooth possible curve.
Make upper half dotted, as it is going behind the solid 1 P1
and hence will not be seen from front side.
P
6

7 5

P 4

1 3

2
 HELIX
PROBLEM: Draw a helix of one convolution, upon a cone, P8
(UPON A CONE)
diameter of base 70 mm, axis 90 mm and 90 mm pitch.
(The axial advance during one complete revolution is called P7
The pitch of the helix)
P6

P5
SOLUTION:
Draw projections of a cone
Divide circle and axis in to same no. of equal parts. ( 8 ) P4
Name those as shown.
Mark initial position of point ‘P’ P3
Mark various positions of P as shown in animation.
Join all points by smooth possible curve. P2
Make upper half dotted, as it is going behind the solid
and hence will not be seen from front side. P1
X P Y

7 5

P6 P5
P7 P4
P 4
P8

P1 P3
1 3
P2
2
STEPS: Involute
DRAW INVOLUTE AS USUAL.
Method of Drawing
MARK POINT Q ON IT AS DIRECTED. Tangent & Normal
JOIN Q TO THE CENTER OF CIRCLE C.
CONSIDERING CQ DIAMETER, DRAW
A SEMICIRCLE AS SHOWN.
INVOLUTE OF A CIRCLE

al
MARK POINT OF INTERSECTION OF

rm
No
THIS SEMICIRCLE AND POLE CIRCLE
AND JOIN IT TO Q. Q
THIS WILL BE NORMAL TO INVOLUTE.
Ta
n ge
DRAW A LINE AT RIGHT ANGLE TO nt
THIS LINE FROM Q.

IT WILL BE TANGENT TO INVOLUTE.

4
3
5
C 2
6
1
7
8
P
P8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8


D
STEPS:
DRAW CYCLOID AS USUAL. CYCLOID
MARK POINT Q ON IT AS DIRECTED.
Method of Drawing
WITH CP DISTANCE, FROM Q. CUT THE Tangent & Normal
POINT ON LOCUS OF C AND JOIN IT TO Q.

FROM THIS POINT DROP A PERPENDICULAR

ON GROUND LINE AND NAME IT N

JOIN N WITH Q.THIS WILL BE NORMAL TO

CYCLOID.

DRAW A LINE AT RIGHT ANGLE TO

THIS LINE FROM Q.

al
No r m
IT WILL BE TANGENT TO CYCLOID.
CYCLOID

Q
Tang
e nt

CP
C C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8

P N
D
 Spiral.
Method of Drawing
Tangent & Normal
SPIRAL (ONE CONVOLUSION.)

2 t
en
No
ng
Ta
rm

P2
al

3 1 Difference in length of any radius vectors

Q P1 Constant of the Curve =
Angle between the corresponding
radius vector in radian.
P3
OP – OP2 OP – OP2
= =
/2 1.57

4 P4 O P = 3.185 m.m.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
P7 STEPS:
*DRAW SPIRAL AS USUAL.
P5 P6 DRAW A SMALL CIRCLE OF RADIUS EQUAL TO THE
CONSTANT OF CURVE CALCULATED ABOVE.

* LOCATE POINT Q AS DISCRIBED IN PROBLEM AND

5 7 THROUGH IT DRAW A TANGENTTO THIS SMALLER
CIRCLE.THIS IS A NORMAL TO THE SPIRAL.

*DRAW A LINE AT RIGHT ANGLE

6
*TO THIS LINE FROM Q.
IT WILL BE TANGENT TO CYCLOID.