SPLPKG WFCMPR WFAPPX, Wilson-Fowler Spline Generator for Computer Aided Design And Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) Systems

1 - Description of program or function: The three programs SPLPKG, WFCMPR, and WFAPPX provide the capability for interactively generating, comparing and approximating Wilson-Fowler Splines. The Wilson-Fowler spline is widely used in Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems. It is favored for many applications because it produces a smooth, low curvature fit to planar data points. Program SPLPKG generates a Wilson-Fowler spline passing through given nodes (with given end conditions) and also generates a piecewise linear approximation to that spline within a user-defined tolerance. The program may be used to generate a 'desired' spline against which to compare other Splines generated by CAD/CAM systems. It may also be used to generate an acceptable approximation to a desired spline in the event that an acceptable spline cannot be generated by the receiving CAD/CAM system. SPLPKG writes an IGES file of points evaluated on the spline and/or a file containing the spline description. Program WFCMPR computes the maximum difference between two Wilson-Fowler Splines and may be used to verify the spline recomputed by a receiving system. It compares two Wilson-Fowler Splines with common nodes and reports the maximum distance between curves (measured perpendicular to segments) and the maximum difference of their tangents (or normals), both computed along the entire length of the Splines. Program WFAPPX computes the maximum difference between a Wilson- Fowler spline and a piecewise linear curve. It may be used to accept or reject a proposed approximation to a desired Wilson-Fowler spline, even if the origin of the approximation is unknown. The maximum deviation between these two curves, and the parameter value on the spline where it occurs are reported. 2 - Restrictions on the complexity of the problem - Maxima of: 1600 evaluation points (SPLPKG), 1000 evaluation points (WFAPPX), 1000 linear curve breakpoints (WFAPPX), 100 spline Nodes