Planimeter and Enlargement & Reduction

Introduction

In the field of mining surveying, planimeter and enlargement & reduction play a crucial role. These concepts are essential for accurately measuring and representing the terrain and structures in mining areas. This article will provide an in-depth understanding of planimeter and enlargement & reduction, including their definitions, components, working principles, uses, advantages, and disadvantages.

Planimeter

A planimeter is a mechanical device used to measure the area of irregular shapes on a plan or map. It consists of various components that work together to provide accurate measurements. The main purpose of a planimeter is to determine the area enclosed by a boundary without the need for complex mathematical calculations.

The working principle of a planimeter is based on the integration of the movement of a tracing point along the boundary of the shape. As the tracing point moves, the planimeter records the distance covered and the angle of rotation. By analyzing these measurements, the planimeter calculates the area enclosed by the boundary.

Planimeters have several uses and applications in mining surveying. They are commonly used to measure the area of mining pits, stockpiles, and other irregularly shaped features. By accurately determining the area, mining engineers can calculate the volume of materials present and plan their extraction accordingly.

Despite their usefulness, planimeters also have some limitations. They require manual operation and can be time-consuming for large areas. Additionally, planimeters may not be suitable for measuring extremely irregular shapes or areas with intricate boundaries.

Enlargement & Reduction of Plans

Enlargement & reduction is the process of changing the size of a plan or map while maintaining its proportions. This technique is commonly used in mining surveying to create scaled representations of large areas or to zoom in on specific details.

There are several methods and techniques for enlargement & reduction:

1. Photocopying and Scaling: In this method, a plan or map is photocopied and then scaled up or down using a predetermined ratio.

2. Grid Method: The grid method involves dividing the original plan into a grid of squares and then reproducing the plan on a larger or smaller scale by drawing corresponding squares on a new sheet.

3. Pantograph Method: The pantograph method utilizes a mechanical device called a pantograph to trace the original plan and simultaneously reproduce it on a larger or smaller scale.

To perform enlargement & reduction, one must follow a step-by-step process. This involves selecting the desired scale, determining the reference points, and accurately reproducing the plan on a new sheet or surface.

Enlargement & reduction has numerous real-world applications in mining surveying. It allows engineers to create detailed plans of large mining areas, accurately represent structures and features, and analyze the impact of proposed changes or expansions.

However, there are also some disadvantages to enlargement & reduction. It can be time-consuming, especially for complex plans or maps. Additionally, errors in scaling or reproduction can lead to inaccuracies in the final representation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, planimeter and enlargement & reduction are essential concepts in mining surveying. Planimeters are mechanical devices used to measure the area of irregular shapes on a plan or map. They have various uses in mining surveying but also have limitations. Enlargement & reduction is the process of changing the size of a plan or map while maintaining its proportions. It involves different methods and techniques and has real-world applications in mining surveying. While enlargement & reduction can be time-consuming and prone to errors, it is a valuable tool for creating accurate representations of mining areas.

Summary

Planimeter and enlargement & reduction are essential concepts in mining surveying. Planimeters are mechanical devices used to measure the area of irregular shapes on a plan or map. They have various uses in mining surveying but also have limitations. Enlargement & reduction is the process of changing the size of a plan or map while maintaining its proportions. It involves different methods and techniques and has real-world applications in mining surveying. While enlargement & reduction can be time-consuming and prone to errors, it is a valuable tool for creating accurate representations of mining areas.

Analogy

Imagine you have a piece of fabric with an irregular shape. To determine its area, you use a special tool called a fabricimeter. This tool has a tracing point that moves along the boundary of the fabric. As the tracing point moves, the fabricimeter records the distance covered and the angle of rotation. By analyzing these measurements, the fabricimeter calculates the area enclosed by the fabric's boundary. This is similar to how a planimeter works to measure the area of irregular shapes on a plan or map.