Approximation by ruled surfaces

Given a surface or scattered data points from a surface in 3-space, we show how to approximate the given data by a ruled surface in tensor product B-spline representation. This leads us to a general framework for approximation in line space by local mappings from the Klein quadric to Euclidean 4-space. The presented algorithm for approximation by ruled surfaces possesses applications in architectural design, reverse engineering, wire electric discharge machining and NC milling.