Surface Development

UNIT 6 SURFACE DEVELOPMENT

Structure
6.1 Introduction
Objectives
6.2 Geometric Objects
6.3 Development of a Surface
6.4 Development of a Cube
6.5 Development of a Tetrahedron
6.6 Development of a Octahedron
6.7 Development of a Prism
6.7.1 Development of the Surface of a Pentagonal Prism
6.7.2 Development of the Surface of a Truncated Pentagonal Prism
6.8 Development of a Pyramid
6.8.1 Development of the Surface of a Square Pyramid
6.8.2 Development of the Surface of a Truncated Pyramid
6.9 Development of the Surface of a Right Cylinder
6.10 Development of a Right Cone
6.11 Development of a Sphere
6.12 Summary
6.13 Answers to SAQs

6.1 INTRODUCTION
The knowledge of development of surfaces is very useful in the sheet metal
industry, where products like utensils, cans, buckets, hoppers, domes, etc. are
manufactured. Imagine an industry where domestic refrigerators are
manufactured. The ultimate shape of a refrigerator is made from the sheet metal.
Its door is first made on a plain sheet and then cut and folded to form the door. To
make a funnel out of a sheet, what should be the shape of the sheet which, when
folded, forms the final shape of the funnel? A tailor first prepares a development
drawing on a cloth to cut and stitch the correct shape and size of a shirt.
A development gives the shape and plane area of the material which enables the
cost to be estimated. Development should be such as to allow the minimum waste
of material when the shape is cut out.
Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to understand
• importance of studying the development of surfaces,
• development methods for commonly used objects such as cube,
prism, pyramid, cone, cylinder and sphere,
• in sheet metal work, how to cut proper size of the sheet with
development and then to fold at proper places to form the desired
object, and 153
Engineering Drawing • sheet metal requirement and cost estimation for various types of
objects to be fabricated.

6.2 GEOMETRIC OBJECTS

A layout of the complete surface of an object is called a development. Geometric
solids are bounded by geometric surfaces. They may be classified as follows :
(a) Solids bounded by plane surfaces such as tetrahedron, cube, prism,
and pyramid.
(b) Solids bounded by single curved surfaces such as cone and cylinder
(generated by a moving straight line).
(c) Solids bounded by double curved surfaces such as sphere (surface of
revolution generated by curved line).

6.3 DEVELOPMENT OF A SURFACE

If a solid is wrapped by thin paper in such a way that the paper does not have
wrinkles and also it is not overlapping anywhere, then remove the paper and
spread it on a plain surface. The shape of the paper is called the lateral
development of that solid or pattern. If the development of the top and the bottom
of the solid is also included, then it is called the total development of the surface.

Figure 6.1
Due to the fact that there is no distorting of the surface in the process of
development, every line on the development must necessarily show the true
length of the corresponding line on the surface. It is a coordinal principle which
must always be kept in mind in constructing all the true developments.

6.4 DEVELOPMENT OF A CUBE

The cube is a regular polyhedra consisting of six equal faces, each a square.
Procedure
(a) Draw the elevation and plan of a cube resting on its base in HP with
two of its vertical faces parallel to VP as shown in Figure 6.2(a).
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(b) Mark the top and the bottom face as a, b, c, d and e, f, g, h,
respectively, in plan and elevation.
(c) Note carefully the corners of the cube which are lettered. Develop the
surface along the edges EF, FG, GH, EH and DC to get the complete
development of the cube as in Figure 6.2(b).
A B

a′ d′ b′ c′
A E F
B

X Y
e′ h′ f′ g′ C
D H G

a b C
e f D

h g
d c A B

(a) (b)
Figure 6.2

6.5 DEVELOPMENT OF A TETRAHEDRON

The tetrahedron is a regular polyhedra consisting of four equal faces, each an
equilateral triangle.
Procedure
(a) Draw two views of the solid (Figure 6.3(a)).
(b) Mark the base as a, b, c and the apex as d in plan and elevation.
d′
(Height = dD)
h

B
D D
X Y
a′ b′ c′

D
b A C

a c D

(a) (b)
Figure 6.3

(c) Develop the surface along the edges AB, BC and AC to get the
development of the tetrahedron which has four equal equilateral
triangles ABC, ABD, BCD and ACD (Figure 6.3(b)).
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6.6 DEVELOPMENT OF A OCTAHEDRON
The octahedron is a regular polyhedra consisting of eight equal faces, each an
equilateral triangle.
Procedure
(a) Draw the projection of the solid with an axis vertical and a face
perpendicular to VP.
(b) Mark the corners a, b, c, d, e and f in plan and elevation, with f in HP
(Figure 6.4(a)).
e′
E A

a′ d′
b′ c′ F A
B

f′ E C D E
a d

e f
E

b c

(a) (b)
Figure 6.4
(c) Locate F and draw equilateral triangles FAB, FBC, FCD and FDA.
Now draw equilateral triangle ABE on AB, BCE on BC, CDE on CD
and DAE on DA to complete the development.

6.7 DEVELOPMENT OF A PRISM

A prism is a geometric solid bounded by rectangular and vertical surfaces. A right
and regular prism has its axis perpendicular to the base and the polygon at the
base is called regular polygon. A right regular triangular, square, pentagonal and
hexagonal prism is shown in Figures 6.5(a), (b), (c) and (d) respectively.

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Figure 6.5

6.7.1 Development of the Surface of a Pentagonal Prism

Procedure
(a) Draw the front and top views of the prism (let it be a right and regular
pentagonal prism).
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(b) Draw the stretch-out lines A, A, and A1, A1 of lengths equal to the
periphery of the base of the prism, which is equal to five times the
side of the pentagon.
(c) Divide AA into five equal parts and draw vertical lines representing
the edges.
AA, A1 A1 represent the lateral development of the pentagonal prism.

Figure 6.6

6.7.2 Development of the Surface of a Truncated Pentagonal

Prism
Procedure
(a) Draw the front and top views of the prism.
(b) Locate the cutting plane, as given in the problem.
(c) Locate the points of intersection of the vertical edges and the cutting
plane line.

Figure 6.7
(d) Draw stretch-out lines A, A and A1, A1 equal to the periphery of the
base, which is equal to five times the side of the base.
(e) Divide the line A, A in five equal parts and draw vertical edges
through these divisions.
157
Engineering Drawing (f) From the point front view, draw horizontal lines from the intersection
points and locate the points of intersection of these horizontal lines
and vertical corresponding edges in the development.
(g) Join all these intersection points in the development by straight lines.
The lower portion represents the lateral development of the portion A
of the prism while the upper portion represents the lateral
development of the portion B of the prism.

6.8 DEVELOPMENT OF A PYRAMID

A pyramid is a geometric solid with slant surfaces as isosceles triangles meeting
at a point called apex and a base called polygon. A right and regular pyramid is
that whose axis is perpendicular to the base and the base is a regular polygon. A
right regular triangular, square, pentagonal and hexagonal pyramid is shown in
Figures 6. 8(a), (b), (c) and (d) respectively.

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Figure 6.8

6.8.1 Development of the Surface of a Square Pyramid

Procedure
(a) Draw the front and top view of the square pyramid.
(b) For determining the true length of the slant edge 2.0, rotate the line
0-2o about 0 till it becomes parallel to HP. Say, the new position is

0′

True Length

3′ 4′ 1′ 2′ 2′′

3 2

0 0
2

4 1

Figure 6.9

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0-2o. Project 2o in the elevation and on the locus (horizontal line) of
2″. The new point of intersection is 2″ with 0″. The length 0″-2″ is the
true length of the slant edge 0.2.
(c) Take radius equal to the true length of the slant edge, i.e. 0΄-2″, and
with any centre 01 draw an arc of a circle. Select any point 1 on the
arc and join it with 01. With 1 as the centre and the radius equal to the
base side of the pyramid (i.e. 50 mm), cut four divisions on the arc of
the circle and mark them 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. Join 1, 2, 3 and 4 with 01. Join
1 with 2, 2 with 3, 3 with 4 and 4 with 1 by straight lines.
(d) These four isosceles triangles represent the lateral development of the
pyramid.

6.8.2 Development of the Surface of a Truncated Pyramid

Procedure
(a) Draw the plan and elevation of the prism of Height H and side of base
length L (Right regular square pyramid), base 1, 2, 3, 4 and apex as 0.
(b) It is cut by a horizontal cutting plane cutting the slant edges at a, b, c,
d in plan and at a΄, b΄, c΄, d΄ in elevation.

0′

H a′
a″ b′
d′ c′
2
4′ 3′
11′ 1′
L 2′

4 3
d c

11 0

a b

1 2

(a) (b)
Figure 6.10

(c) None of the line 01, 02, 03 or 04 show the true length of the slant
edge. Therefore, draw any one line say 01 horizontal (Parallel to XY)
and determine the true length 0΄ 1΄1. Through a´ draw a horizontal
line and obtain the true length o´ a1′′ .

(d) With o as center and radius o´11´ (true slant height) draw arc and
mark 1, 2, 3, 4 and obtain the development of lateral surface of the
pyramid.
(e) With o as center and radius o′ a′′ draw an arc cutting 01, 02, 03, and
04 at A, B, C, and D respectively. Draw line AB, BC, CD and DA and
complete the development.

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6.9 DEVELOPMENT OF THE SURFACE OF A
RIGHT CYLINDER
Procedure
(a) Draw a plan and elevation of a cylinder with the given dimensions.
(b) Divide a circle (of the plan) in a number of equal parts (say 8) by
drawing diameters. Project these divisions in the elevation. Each line
in the elevation represents a generator.
A1
A1

X Y A
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 A

Figure 6.11
(c) Draw horizontal lines on the side of the elevation. These lines are
called stretch-out lines (A A and A1, A1). The length of these lines is
equal to the circumference of the cylinder p × D, where D is the
diameter of the cylinder.
(d) Divide the stretch-out line into the same number of equal parts in
which the plan circle has been divided (here, eight parts).
(e) The rectangle (A A A1 A1), so obtained, is the development of the
lateral surface of the cylinder.
6.9.1 Development of the Surface of a Truncated Cylinder
Procedure
(a) Draw the front and top views of a truncated cylinder.
(b) Divide the base circle into a number of equal parts and project the
generator on the front view.
F1 G1 H1
9′1 E1 I1
D1 J1
d′1 C1 K1
A1 B1 L1 A1
a′1

A A
7′ 10′ 4′ 1 4 10 1
1′ πD 7
4

7 1
φD

10

Figure 6.12
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(c) Mark the points of intersection a1, b1, c1, etc, between the generators
and the truncated zone of the cylinder.
(d) Draw the stretch-out line equal to the circumference of the base of the
cylinder.
(e) Divide the stretch-out line into the same number of equal parts as that
of the base and draw the generators through them.
(f) Locate the points A1, B1, and C1, etc. by a smooth curve.
B

[Note : The generators should not be drawn thick, since they do not represent the
edges on the surface.]

6.10 DEVELOPMENT OF A RIGHT CONE

The development of a right circular cone is a sector of a circle having a radius
equal to the slant height of the cone and an arc length equal to the circumference
of its base.

Figure 6.13
Procedure
(a) Take radius as slant height S of the cone and draw an arc.
r
(b) Mark an included angle at the center equal to × 360 o , where r is
s
radius of the base and S is the slant height to complete development.
6.10.1 Development of a Truncated Cone
Procedure
(a) Draw the two views of the given cone.
(b) Divide the base of the cone into equal number of parts (say 12) and
locate the corresponding generators in plan and elevation.
(c) Locate the intersection points a΄ b΄ c΄ etc. in the elevation at which
the generators are cut.
(d) Represent the lateral surface of the complete cone by a sector of a
circle whose radius is equal to the slant height and mark off
circumference by taking 1/12th of base circle as arc to complete the
development.
(e) Transfer the points ABC etc. onto the development by finding their
true distance from the apex of the cone (To determine the true length
of o´c´ draw horizontal through c´ to intersect o´ 1´ at p´ and on the
generator 03 mark the distance oc equal to o´p´).
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Engineering Drawing

Figure 6.14

6.11 DEVELOPMENT OF A SPHERE

The surface of a sphere can be approximately developed by
(a) Zone method, and
(b) Lune mthod.
Zone Method
Figure 6.15 shows the top half of a sphere divided into four zones of equal
width. By joining points P, Q, R and S by straight lines, each zone becomes
a cone frustum, except the uppermost zone which becomes a cone of small
altitude.

Figure 6.15

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Development of these three cone frustums and the upper cone will give the
development of a half sphere. For example, take the zone C. It is a frustum
of cone whose vertex is at C1. The surface of this frustum is shown
developed in the front view. The length of the divisions on the arc is
obtained from the top view. All the zones can be developed in the same
manner.
Lune Method
A sphere may be divided into 12 lunes, one of which is shown in the front
view. The semi-circle qr is the top view of the centre line of that lune. The
length of the line is equal to the length of the arc qr and its maximum width
is equal to gh.

Figure 6.16
Divide the semi-circle into a number of equal parts, say eight and project
the division points on the front view to the points 1, 2, etc. With q as the
centre and the radii equal to q´ 1´, q´ 2΄ and q 3, draw arcs ab, cd, and ef
which will show the widths of the lune at points 1 and 7, 2 and 6, 3 and 5
respectively.
Draw a line QR equal to the length of the arc qr (by stepping off eight
divisions, each equal to the chord-length q1).
Draw a perpendicular at each division-points and make AB and MN equal to
ab at points 1 and 7, CD and KL equal to cd at point 2 and 6. Draw smooth
curves through point Q, A, C, etc. The figure thus obtained will be the
approximate development of one-twelfth of the surface of the sphere.

SAQ 1

(a) Draw the development of the lateral surface of the pentagonal

pyramid, 20 mm edge of base, 40 mm in height and place on HP with
one of the edge of base parallel to VP. The lower part of the pyramid
is removed by a cutting plane perpendicular to VP, inclined at 30o to
HP and passing from one corner to the base.
(b) A frustum of a square pyramid has its base 50 mm, side top 25 mm
side and height 75 mm. Draw the development of its lateral surface
(axis is vertical and a side of base is parallel to the VP). Show the line
joining the mid-point of a top edge of one face with the mid-point of
the bottom edge of the opposite face by the shortest distance. 163
Engineering Drawing (c) Draw the development of the lateral surface of the square prism edge
of base 20 mm, height 40 mm, base resting on ground and all the
edges of base equally inclined with VP. A hole of 20 mm diameter is
drilled in it in such a way that axis of hole is perpendicular to VP,
20 mm above HP and 10 mm away from the axis of the prism.

SAQ 2

(a) Draw the development of the lateral surface of the part P of the cone
shown in Figure 6.20(a).
(b) A cone of 70 mm diameter of base and axis length 100 mm rests on
the HP on its base. Draw the projections of the cone and show on it
the shortest path traced by a point starting from a point on the
circumference of the base of the cone moving around it and reaching
the same point.
(c) Three cylindrical pipes of 5 cm diameter form a Y piece as shown in
the front view in Figure 6.22(a). Draw the development of the surface
of each pipe.

6.12 SUMMARY
In making the development of a geometric surface of various solids, the opening
should be determined first. Every line used in making the development must
represent the true length of that line on the actual surface.
Development of lateral surface are generally developed and shown as presented
here. Development of common solids such as cube, prism, pyramid cylinder, cone
and sphere are made possible with the application of basic, graphic and geometric
principles in conjunction with mathematics. If a development problem is resolved
in basic geometric elements, the solution will be simpler.

6.13 ANSWERS TO SAQs

SAQ 1
(a)

Figure 6.17
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 Surface Development
(b)

Figure 6.18
(c)

Figure 6.19
SAQ 2
(a)

Figure 6.20 165

Engineering Drawing (b)

Figure 6.21
(c)

Figure 6.22

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FURTHER READING
Bhatt, N. D., Engineering Drawing, Charotar Publishing House, New Delhi.
Narayan, K. L. and Kannaiah, P., Engineering Drawing, Tata McGraw Hill,
New Delhi.
Nagar, N. K. and Purohit, R. B., Engineering Drawing – Textbook for Class XI,
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi.

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ENGINEERING DRAWING
Engineering Drawing is universally known as the language of engineers. A
drawing is the graphic representation of the object or its components. To satisfy
the requirements and need of human beings, several objects, products or services
are conceptualised by engineers and designed with the application of scientific
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 Surface Development
principles. The details of construction or production of such an object are
expressed by engineers in the form of drawings such that these can be produced
and hence, used by consumers. The drawing is, therefore, considered as one of the
fundamental subjects for any discipline of engineering profession throughout the
world.
The drawings or graphics is a very vast subject having different requirements for
different engineering disciplines. This course has been developed primarily as a
base course for diploma level studies, which is common requirement for any
branch of engineering. It consists of six units detailing the primary knowledge
base, projections and surface developments.
Different basic equipment and instruments used in drafting, drawing sheets and
their layouts, letters used, their sizes and styles, dimensions employed and scales
used etc. are described in Unit 1.
Unit 2 deals with the basic problems in geometric construction essential for
preparation of technical drawings. It also describes the uses of drawing
instruments and various methods of preparation of drawings.
Any engineering article or product consists of several components and parts
which are designed separately and represented on drawing sheets in the form of
technical drawings. These product elements are then aggregated or assembled to
manufacture the particular product. For simplifying the process of assembling the
elements, the concepts of reference planes, dihedral angles, and projections need
to be introduced. These basic concepts of projections, particularly the
orthographic projections, are given in Unit 3.
Unit 4 deals with the problems of orthographic projections of solids. Towards the
end, the unit describes various details of sections of solid.
In addition to orthogonal projections of planes and solids, i.e. 2D and 3D objects,
the concepts of pictorial projections is also necessary to visualise clearly and fully
the shape of the objects by the shop floor workers. The classifications of pictorial
drawings particularly the procedures of drawing isometric and oblique projections
are discussed in Unit 5.
In sheet metal industry manufacturing articles that contains same space within
such as utensils, cans, buckets, hoppers, domes, refrigerators, cars, ships, aircrafts
etc., the ultimate shape is achieved by sheet metal. The techniques of surface
development and commonly employed methods to represent them in technical
drawings are discussed in Unit 6.
With the study of this course, you will be able to read and understand the details
of technical drawings prepared by experts and will be able to draw them
independently.
We wish you a grand success in all your educational endeavours.

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