Technical Drawing

Teacher: Mr. Eric Marin

Topic: Loci

Subtopic: Parabola
Objectives
• Discuss and identify the geometrical tools used in dividing a line
into equal number of parts.
• Accurately set off measurements given the appropriate conditions.
• Use geometrical concepts to construct simple mechanisms.
• Apply all drawing conventions pertaining to the constructions of
Loci.
Constructing a Parabola

Directrix
Parabola
For a parabola, the locus of a point which moves, so that its distance from a fixed point, called
the focus, and from a straight line, called the directrix, are always equal. The ratio of
eccentricity is unity or 1/1.
1. Position the focus on the centre line such that AF = 60 mm and VF = 30 mm.
2. Draw a series of parallel lines to the directrix.
3. For the line X—X, use a compass to measure horizontal distance RP1 from the directrix to X
—X.
4. Using this distance and centre F, draw arcs at P1 and P2 to give points on the parabola.
P1R = P2 R1 and points P1and P2 are points on the parabola. Other points such as P3
and P4 can be found in the same manner.
5. Join all the points to obtain a smooth curve which will be a parabola.
TO CONSTRUCT A PARABOLA BY THE DIRECTRIX METHOD