<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation:  Volute > Spiral development areas > Circular arc approximation

For spirals with rectangular or trapezoidal cross sections, an approximation by circular arcs is provided. The arcs are optimized with respect to the minimal deviation from the initial contour, which is defined by the design rule.

The number of circular segments can be specified and the max. deviation from the initial contour is displayed for information.

 

The Spiral contour view contains the circular segments, which can be displayed using the "Circle segments" display option bottom left.

 

Information about the resulting circular arcs (e.g. midpoints, radii and angles) are shown in the "informational values" view. In addition, their details are given as hint of the arc in the diagram if enabled in display properties.

Note that further calculations are based on the initial contour.