MODULE 2

SURFACE DEVELOPMENT

A surface development, also called pattern development or simply development, is a

flat representation or pattern that when folded together creates a 3-D object. Sheet-metal
construction is the most common application for developments and intersections. The
resulting flat pattern gives the true size of each connected area of the form so that the part
or structure can be fabricated.

In this part of the course module, you will learn the importance of surface
developments in our industry in terms of designing or creating objects for manufacturing
such as boilers, boxes, buckets, packing boxes, chimneys, hoppers, air-conditioning ducts,
etc. In this part also, you must have adequate knowledge in measurements and creating
drawing projections because it needed to be precise and accurate in developing surface
developments.

Why is development of surfaces used?

In the industrial world, a designer is frequently confronted with problems where the
development of surfaces of an object has to be made to help him to go ahead with the den
and manufacturing processes. For example, in sheet metal work, it plays a vital role, thus
enabling a mechanic to cut proper size of the pate from the development and then fold at
proper paces to form the desired objects, namely, boilers, boxes, buckets, packing boxes,
chimneys, hoppers, air-conditioning ducts, etc.

The development of surface of an object means the unrolling and unfolding all the
surfaces of the object on a plane. If the surface of a solid is aid out on a plain surface, the
shape thus obtained is called the development of that solid. In other words, the development
of a solid is the shape of a plain sheet that by proper folding could be converted into the
shape of the concerned solid.
 Knowledge of development is very useful in sheet metal work, construction of storage
vessels, chemical vessels, boilers, and chimneys. Such vessels are manufactured from plates
that are cut according to these developments and then properly bend into desired shape.

LET’S START!

Draw the flattened surfaces of a cube as shown below in a used folder, carton or any kind of
thick paper. Follow the steps provided below in constructing this surface development.

Materials Needed:

1. Used folder, carton or any thick paper

2. Pencil
3. Ruler
4. Tape

Steps in Forming the Cube:

1. Draw the surfaces (top, bottom, front, rear, left, & right) of the cube in your folder or
carton as shown in the figure. The length of each side of the cube is 2 inches.
2. Cut your drawing along the edges of the surfaces of the cube you’ve drawn forming a
cross.
 3. Fold the cross you’ve made along the edges where the surfaces of the cube meet.
4. Tape along the edges to form the cube.

THINK AND REFLECT

After the activity, answer the following process questions:

1. What have you learned in developing or forming the cube?

___________________________________________________________________

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2. Are your measurements precise and accurate? Why or Why not?

___________________________________________________________________

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3. Is your cube perfect and no defects? Why or Why not?

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The activity is basically one of the easiest surface developments. You have learned
how important measurement precision is in constructing surface developments. Slight error
of measurements may create a defect to manufactured objects and lead to wastage of
materials and time. Imagine your manufacturing chimneys, boilers, buckets, etc.
 LET’S LEVEL-UP!

Every measurement on the development of surfaces should show the true size and
shape of the surfaces which is developed. In sheet metal construction, like all other
developments, are developed using principle of surface geometry. It is also essential to learn
first the principles of geometry before developing surfaces. Two general classes of surfaces
are plane (flat) and curved. The six faces of a cube are plane surfaces. The top and bottom
of a cylinder are also plane surfaces. However, the side surface of the cylinder is curved.

❖ Methods of Development

1. Parallel-line Development

- It is used for developing Prisms and single curved surfaces like Cylinders, in which all
the edges/generation of latera surfaces are parallel in each other.

2. Radial-line Development

- It is employed for Pyramids and single curved surfaces like Cones in which the apex
is taken as center and the slant edge or generator as radius of its development.
3. Triangulation Development

- It is used for developing transition pieces. Transition pieces

are usually made to connect two different forms, such as
round pipes to square pipes. These transition pieces will
usually fit the definition of a non-developable surface that
must be developed by an approximation. This is done by
assuming the surface to be made from a series of triangular
surfaces aid side-by-side to form the development.

4. Approximate Development

- It is employed for double curved surfaces like

Spheres, as they are theoretically not possible to
develop. The surface of the sphere is developed by
approximate method. When the surface is cut by a
series of cutting planes, the cut surfaces is called a
zone.
Reading Assignment 1

Research about the terms listed below and define each briefly.
Terms Definition

Ruled Surface

Warped Surface

Polyhedra

Transition Piece

Triangulation

Plane

Single-curved surface

Double-curved surface

Developable Surface

Transition Piece
Reading Assignment 2

Research about solids used in sheet metal construction and give two samples (pictures)
each.

Terms Examples

Parallel-line Development

Radial-line Development

Triangulation Development

Approximate Development
 LET’S DO IT

Now for our next activity, let’s test our knowledge in this next activity. Note that you can
have discussions with your group in solving and creating these surface developments but you
output must be individual since this will test your skills in drawing individually.
Materials Needed:

1. Used folder, carton or any thick paper

2. Pencil
3. Ruler
4. Tape

Develop the surface of a triangular prism

Develop the surface of a pyramid

SUGGESTED READINGS

Technical Drawing Standards

Surface Development
Types of Surface Developments
Sheet Metal Construction
YouTube Videos about Constructing Surface Developments
(Note: All suggested readings above can be found in the internet or technical drawing books)
 ASSESSMENT

Directions: Draw the surface developments of the following objects shown below in two
separate long size bond paper. Copy the title block in the module requirements section of
this course module, and complete the information needed in the spaces provided.
PLATE NO.: 2 TITLE: SURFACE DEVELOPMENT

PROBLEM 1. A hexagonal prism edge of base 20mm and axis 50mm long, rests with its base
on horizontal plane such that one of its rectangular faces is parallel to vertical plane. It is cut
by a plane perpendicular to vertical plane inclined at 45 degrees to horizontal plane and
passing through the right corner of the top face of the prism. Draw the sectional top view
and develop the lateral surface of the truncated prism.
PROBLEM 2. A pentagonal pyramid, side of base 30mm and height 60mm stands with its
base on horizontal plane and on edge of the base is parallel to vertical plane. It is cut by a
plane perpendicular to vertical plane inclined at 40” to horizontal plane and passing through
a point on the axis, 32m above the base. Draw the sectional top view and develop the lateral
surface of the truncated pyramid.
 SELF-ASSESSMENT

DRAWING GRADING RUBRICS

CRITERIA Description Points

Alphabet of Lines Use of line weights and proper use of 25

alphabet of lines (construction lines, object
lines, etc.)
Lettering Proportional height and use of guidelines in 15
lettering
Neatness and Proportioning and alignment of drawings; 20
Cleanliness Minimum erasures
Presentation Maximizing the worksheet area, proper 15
dimensioning
Completeness Completeness of tasks/process required in 25
the activity
TOTAL 100
SUMMARY

In this module, you have learned:

• The development of surface of an object means the unrolling and unfolding of all
surfaces of the object on a plane.
• If the surface of a solid is laid out on a plain surface, thus the shape obtained is called
the development of that solid. In other words, the development of a solid in the shape
of a plain sheet that by proper folding could be converted into the shape of the
concerned solid.
• Knowledge of development is very useful in sheet metal work, construction of storage
vessels, chemical vessels, boilers, and chimneys. Such vessels are manufactured from
plates that are cut according to these developments and then properly bend into
desired shape.
• The principle of development is every line on the development should show the true
length of the corresponding line on the surface which is developed.

We are done with the module and hope that you fully understood the concept of
surface developments. Practice is the best recommendation to absorb more knowledge of
the concepts of technical drawing.