Why do we define the tangency in a spline ?

[LCform]

Hi All

There is an option of tangency control in spline definition , I have seen that it is used in drawing of tire rims , and complicated surfaces, but I was wondering , how do we decide the weight and direction of the spline ? and how these numbers are used and verified in reality ?

 

[rstupplebeen]

I have 3 main reasons I define the spline handles.
1. To create a fully defined sketch.
2. Aesthetics and intuition drive the curvature.
3. Engineering needs like stress concentrations or interferences.

I hope this helps.


Rob Stupplebeen
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