Scale Rulers for Engineering Drawing

The Scale Ruler

In the world of measurement and drawing, the ruler reigns supreme. This calibrated device is essential for measuring short distances with precision and accuracy. But its utility doesn't stop there – a ruler can also serve as a trusted tool for ruling lines, creating sharp edges, and drawing precise shapes.
I have used a ruler to cut paper, but my most innovative use of a ruler as a photographic scale reference was when I placed it close to an object such that the viewer could easily gauge the object's size.

Rulers come in a varity lenght shape and style, and here are a few I could collect for this post.

Now that the ruler seems to have taken centre stage, let's shift focus to something that resembles a ruler but packs more punch – the scale ruler. This calibrated device goes beyond the capabilities of your average ruler.

Meet the scale ruler, a precision tool that's about to become your new best friend.

_{^{A Metric Scale Ruler}}

This versatile device is designed to help you measure, draw, and create scaled models with unparalleled accuracy. Whether you're an architect, engineer, or designer, you will need this specialized ruler that allows you to convert a real-world measurement into a scaled-down drawing. Particularly important in the field of architecture and engineering, where you often have large objects that need to be represented accurately on a smaller surfaces, such as paper. This tool will help you maintain proportion and accuracy without the need of a calculator.

Stay tuned and let me be your guide as we dive deeper into the world of scale rulers and explore their features, uses, and benefits.

Types of Scale Rulers

The drafting scale rules comes in different verities as they are designed to be used for various purposes. Here are some common scale types:
-Architectural Scale
-Engineering Scale
-Metric Scale
-Combination Scale
-Mechanical Drafting Scale

Description of Metric Scale Ruler

This scale rule design is a triangular scale ruler featuring three sides with 12 different scales, each face having four scales, which makes it a compact and versatile tool for professionals whose work needs multiple scales.

Each of the three sides are colour coded with red, white, and yellow colour running at the centre groove. The colour helps prevent a scale mixup, while the grove enhances its slip-resistance.

Converting from meter to cm/mm

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Side	Colour	Metric Scale
1	Yellow	1:10, 1:100, 1:20, 1:200
2	White	1:25, 1:250, 1:50, 1:500
3	Red	1:30, 1:300, 1:40, 1:400

Using a scale ruler goes both ways. You may have to convert from actual real-life meters to a centimetres scaled equivalent or may use it to convert from a scaled model to real life.

Converting meter to cm with scale ruler

• Start by agreeing on a scale ratio that is appropriate for the drawing and available on your ruler.
• A scale of 1:10 on the metic system would be a good choice for this example.
• Take mesurment of life object = 7.5 meters
• Since we will be drawing in cm, convert 7.5 m to cm. By multiply it by 100.
• So we can say the distance in real life was 750 cm
• Scaled length = Actual length ÷ Scale factor.
  Because we are using a scale of 1:10, we will divide 750 by 10
• That gives us 75 cm on the page.

The real-life object measuring 75 meters will be represented as a line that is 7.5 unites long on a 1:10 scale.

Converting scaled distance real life meter

Find the lenght of the line below in meters.

The scale is provided as 1:30 in the picture above. We need to know the length of line A-B. Mesurment should be taken using a 1:30 metric ruler as shown below.

• Using a scaled ruler with a scale factor of 1:30, the provided line is 2 units.
• Actual length = Scaled length x Scale factor
• Actual lenght = 2 x 30
• Actual length = 60
• Therefor, the line being 2 units is 60 meters in real life.

If you would love to read my Introduction to technical drawing or my post on Lines or introduction to Scales

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All pictures are my pictures, captured with Galaxy-A15 and edited with PhotoStudio App.