Curves from Motion, Motion from Curves

Abstract

Geometry and kinematics have been intimately connected in their historical evolution and, although it is currently less fashionable, the further development of such connections is crucial to many computer-aided design and manufacturing applications. In this survey, we explore a variety of classical and modern problems that illustrate how simple rules of motion produce interesting curves and, conversely, the computational problems of generating motions with prescribed paths and speeds. These encompass the geometry of trajectories under centripetal forces; the transformation of rotary motion into motion along general curves by mechanisms; real-time curve interpolators for digital motion control; and the description of spatial motions that involve variations of both position and orientation. Such case studies illustrate some of the intellectual appeal, and practical importance, of a sustained dialog between the study of curves and of motions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADP012017

Entities

People

  • Rida T. Farouki

Organizations

  • University of California, Davis

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algebraic Functions
  • Analytic Geometry
  • Angular Momentum
  • Birds
  • Circular Orbits
  • Control Systems
  • Curvature
  • Differential Equations
  • Differential Geometry
  • Dynamics
  • Energy
  • Equations
  • Geometry
  • Manufacturing
  • Polynomials
  • Potential Energy
  • Theorems

Fields of Study

  • Mathematics

Readers

  • Adaptive Control and Estimation with Uncertainty in Dynamic Systems.
  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.