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Development of surfaces
A layout of the complete surface of a three dimentional object on a plane is called the
development of the surface or flat pattern of the object. The development of surfaces is very
important in the fabrication of articles made of sheet metal.

The objects such as containers, boxes, boilers, hoppers, vessels, funnels, trays etc., are made
of sheet metal by using the principle of development of surfaces.

In making the development of a surface, an opening of the surface should be determined fIrst.
Every line used in making the development must represent the true length of the line (edge)
on the object.

The steps to be followed for making objects, using sheet metal are given below:
1. Draw the orthographic views of the object to full size.
2. Draw the development on a sheet of paper.
3. Transfer the development to the sheet metal.
4. Cut the development from the sheet.
5. Form the shape of the object by bending.
6. Join the closing edges.

Methods of Development
The method to be followed for making the development of a solid depends upon the nature of
its lateral surfaces. Based on the classillcation of solids, the folloiwing are the methods of
development.

1. Parallel-line Development
It is used for developing prisms and single curved surfaces like cylinders in which all the edges
/ generators of lateral surfaces are parallel to each other.

2. Radial-line Development
It is employed for pyramids and single curved surfaces like cones in which the apex is taken
as centre and the slant edge or generator (which are the true lengths)as radius for its
development. Development of Prism

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To draw the development of a square prism of side of base 30mm and height 50mm.

Figure 4.1
1. Assume the prism is resting on its base on H.P. with an edge of the base pallel to V.P and
draw the orthographic views of the square prism.
2. Draw the stretch-out line 1-1 (equal in length to the circumference of the square prism) and
mark off the sides of the base along this line in succesion ie 1-2,2-3,3-4 and 4-1.
3. Errect perpendiculars through 1,2,3 etc., and mark the edges (folding lines) I-A, 2-B, etc.,
equal to the height of the prism 50 mm.
4. Add the bottom and top bases 1234 and ABCD by the side of an)' of the base edges.

Development of a square pyramid with side of base 30 mm and height 60 mm.

Construction
1. Draw the views of the pyramid assuming that it is resting on H.P and with an edge of the
base parallel to V.P.
2. Determine the true length o-a of the slant edge.
Note:
In the orientation given for the solid, all the slant edges are inclined to both H.P and V.P.
Hence, neither the front view nor the top view provides the true length of the slant edge. To
determine the true length of the slant edge, say OA, rotate oa till it is parallel to xy to the
position.oal. Through a l ' draw a projector to meet the line xy at all' Then Oil all represents
the true length of the slant edge OA. This method of determining the true length is also
known as rotation
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method.
3. with centre 0 and radius olal draw an arc.
4. Starting from A along the arc, mark the edges of the base ie. AB, BC, CD and DA.
5. Join 0 to A,B,C, etc., representaing the lines of folding and thus completing the
development.

Figure 4.2
Problem: A Pentagonal prism of side of base 20 mm and height 50 mm stands vertically
on its base with a rectangular face perpendicular to V.P. A cutting plane perpendicalar
to V.P and inclined at 600 to the axis passes through the edges of the top base of the
prism. Develop the lower portion of the lateral surface of the prism.

Figure 4.3
1. Draw the projections of the prism.
2. Draw the trace (V.T) of the cutting plane intersecting the edges at points 1,2,3, etc.
3. Draw the stretch-out AA and mark-off the sides of the base along this in succession i.e., AB,

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BC, CD, DE and EA.
4. Errect perpendiculars through A,B,C etc., and mark the edges AA1
, BB I' equal to the height of the prism.
5. Project the points 11,21,31 etc., and obtain 1,2,3 etc., respectively on the corresponding
edges in the development.
6. Join the points 1,2,3 etc., by straight lines and darken the sides corresponding to the
truncated portion of the solid.

Problem: A hexagonal prism of side of base 30 mm and axis 70 mm long is resting on its
base on HP. such that a rectangular face is parallel to v.P. It is cut by a section plane
perpendicular to v.p and inclined at 300 to HP. The section plane is passing through the
top end of an extreme lateral edge of the prism. Draw the development of the lateral
surface of the cut prism.
1. Draw the projections of the prism.
2. Draw the section plane VT.
3. Draw the developmentAAI-AIA of the complete prism following the stretch out line
principle.
4. Locate the point of intersectiion 11,21 etc., between VT and the edges of the prism.
5. Draw horizontal lines thrugh 11,21 etc., and obtain 1,2, etc., on the corresponding edges in
the development.
6. Join the points 1,2, etc., by straight lines and darken the sides corresponding to the retained
portion of the solid.

Figure 4.4

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Problem: Draw the development of the lateral surface of the frustum of the square
pyramid of side of base 30 mm and axis 40 mm, resting on HP with one of the base edges
parallel to v.P. It is cut by a horizontal cutting plane at a height of 20 mm.

Figure 4.5
1. Draw the projections of the square pyramid.
2. Determine the true length. o-a of the slant edge.
3. Draw the trace of the cutting plane VT.
4. Locate the points of instersection of the cutting plane on the slant edges a1b1c1dl of the
pyramid.
5. With any point 0 as centre and radius equal to the true length of the slant edge draw an arc
of the circle.
6. With radius equal to the side of the base 30 mm, step-off divisions on the above arc.
7. Join the above division points 1,2,3 etc.,jn the order with the centre of the arc o. The full
development of the pyramid is given by 0 12341.
8. With centre 0 and radius equal to oa mark-offthese projections atA, B, C, D, A. JoinA-B,
B-C etc. ABCDA-12341 is the development of the frustum of the square pyramid.

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 Problem: A hexagonal pyramid with side of base 30 mm and height 75 mm stands with
its base on RP and an edge of the base parallel to v.P. It is cut by a plane perpendicular
to v.p, inclined at 45° to H.P and passing through the mid-point of the axis. Draw the
(sectioned) top view and develop the lateral surface of the truncated pyramid
.

Figure 4.6

1. Draw the two views of the given pyramid and indicate the cutting plane.
2. Locate the points of interseciton 11,21,31,41,51 and 61 between the slant edges and the
cutting plane.
3. Obtain the sectional top view by projecting the above points.
4. With 0 as centre and radius equal to the true length of the slant edge draw an arc and
complete the total development by following construction of Fig. 7 .8.
5. Determine the true length 0I21}, 013\, etc., of the slant edges 0121, 0131, etc

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 Development of Cylinder

Draw the development of the complete surface of a cylindrical drum. Diameter is 40 mm and height 60
mm.

Figure 4.7

A hexagonal prism of base side 20 mm and height 45 mm is resting on one of its

ends on the HP with two of its lateral faces parallel to the VP. It is cut by a plane
perpendicular to the VP and inclined at 30° to the HP. The plane meets the axis at
a distance of 20 mm above the base. Draw the development of the lateral surfaces
of the lower portion of the prism. Page no 300

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 Figure 4.8

A pentagonal prism, side of base 25 mm and altitude 50 mm, rests on its base on the
HP such that an edge of the base is parallel to VP and nearer to the observer. It is cut by
a plane inclined at 45° to HP, perpendicular to VP and passing through the center of the
axis. Draw the development of the complete surfaces of the truncated prism.

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 Figure 4.9

Draw the development of the lateral surface of the lower portion of a cylinder of
diameter 50 mm and axis 70 mm when sectioned by a plane inclined at 40° to HP
and perpendicular to VP and bisecting axis.

Figure 4.10

Draw the development of the lateral surface of a cone of base diameter 48 mm

and altitude 55 mm.

= (Base circle radius/True slant length)*360°

= (24/60)*360°
=144°

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 Figure 4.11

A regular hexagonal pyramid of side of base 30 mm and height 60 mm is resting

vertically on its base on HP such that two of the sides of the base are
perpendicular to VP. It is cut by a plane inclined at 40° to HP and perpendicular
to VP. The cutting plane bisects the axis of the pyramid. Obtain the development
of the lateral surface of the truncated pyramid.

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 Figure 4.12

A hexagonal pyramid of base of side 25 mm and altitude 50 mm is resting vertically on its

base on the ground with two of the sides of the base perpendicular to the VP. It is cut by
a plane perpendicular to the VP and inclined at 40° to the HP, The plane bisects the axis
of the pyramid. Draw the development of the lateral surfaces of the pyramid

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Figure 4.13

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