Minimal rational parametrizations of canal surfaces
It is well known that canal surfaces defined by a rational spine curve and a rational radius function are rational. The aim of the present paper is to construct a rational parameterization of low degree. The author uses the generalized stereographic projection in order to transform the problem to a parameterization problem for ruled surfaces. Two problems are discussed: parameterization with boundary conditions (design of canal surfaces with two curves on it, as is the case for rolling ball blends) and parameterization without boundary conditions.
rational parametrization canal surfaces rolling ball blend