Scales (plain, diagonal, vernier): a solved example
Construct a plain scale of RF 1/40 to read metres and decimetres, and long enough to measure up to 6 m.
Every line below was drawn and checked by Graspline's own geometry engine, by the textbook method, one step at a time with the reason for each.
The construction, step by step
Draw the scale length
RF 1/40, to read up to 6 m. Length of scale = RF × 6000 mm = 150 mm.
Divide it into main divisions
Divide the length into 6 equal parts, each one m (25 mm), and number them 0, 1, … 5 from the first division to the right.
Subdivide the first division
Subdivide the first main division, at the left, into 10 equal parts, each one dm (2.5 mm); number them 0, 1, … 10 leftwards.
✓ Verified: every drawn main and sub-division mark is exactly 25 mm and 2.5 mm apart, and the scale length is RF × 6 m.
Result
The scale is 150 mm long: 6 main divisions of 25 mm, the first read in dm.
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