High accuracy approximation of helices by quintic curves

In this paper we present methods for approximating a helix segment by quintic Bézier curves or quintic rational Bézier curves based on the geometric Hermite interpolation technique in space. The fitting curve interpolates the curvatures as well as the Frenet frames of the original helix at both ends. We achieve a high accuracy of the approximation by giving a proper parametrization of the curve, and the approximation order of the height function along the helix axis is 9 provided that the screw angle of the helix is fixed. Numerical examples are also presented to illustrate the efficiency of the new method.  2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.