Definition of Engineering Curves – When a cone is cut by a cutting plane with different positions of the plane relative to the axis of cone, it gives various types of curves like Triangle, Circle, ellipse, parabola, and hyperbola. These curves are known as conic sections.

* Vertical white line shows axis of cone in above image.

** Green lines shows different positions of cutting planes

Different methods to have types of conic sections on a cone we need to cut a cone as per following:

To get Triangle:

We have to cut cone from apex to centre of the base (vertically)

To get Circle:

We have to cut cone by a cutting plan which should parallel to base or perpendicular to axis of cone.

To get Ellipse:

We have to cut cone in such a way that the cutting plane remains inclined to axis of cone and it cuts all generators of cone.

To get Parabola:

We have to cut a cone by a cutting plane which should inclined to axis of cone but remains parallel to one of the generators of cone.

To get Hyperbola:

We have to cut a cone by cutting plane which should parallel to axis of cone.