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Trimetric Projection Drawing Instrument

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1944 J. Sci. Instrum. 21 147

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Trimetric Projection Drawing Instrument. Cooke
Troughton and Simms Ltd., Castle Works, Troughton
Road, London, S.E.7.
There are various methods of producing 'picture drawings', which
have always had their place in industry. The well-known Perspec-
tive and Isometric methods each has disadvantages. The former
requires specially trained personnel for its construction, while the
latter, although simpler to produce, fails to give the desired 'pic-
ture' effect. This is due to the fact that the object to be drawn is
projected on to a plane which is inclined equally to the three co-
ordinate axis planes, so that the axes in the projected plane are
1zo0apart, and, as a result, are limited to one angle of view.
Fig. I. Trimetric scale
Trimetric projection has, it is stated, gained favour during recent
years, and, as its name implies, the length, breadth and height of
the object each has its appropriate scale, and any particular angle of
view can be chosen to give the most informative picture. T o meet
the demand for these drawings J. P. Simpson and J. Stewart of
Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Co. Ltd. devised the M.V. Tri-
metric Scale, illustrated in Fig. I . Three trimetric drawings of a
simple pedestal casting, together with its orthographic projection
for comparison, are shown in Fig. 2. The method has also proved
useful, we understand, for wiring assembly diagrams. When
retouched and shaded the projections make excellent catalogue
~llustrations.
AA BB cc
Fig. 2. Three trimetric drawings of a pedestal casting with
Its orthographic projection for projection
The scale resembles and is used in the same fashion as an
ordinary set square, in conjunction with a T-square or other similar
equipment. Provision is made for plotting dimensions with either
decunal or vulgar fractions. It contains three sets of scales,
AlA,, B, BZ, and C, C,, the two graduated edges enclosing the right
angle being common to all three scales. Three different views are
thus provided for, covering all normal requirements. The prin-
New Books
The following new books have been received, and unless otherwise stated have been presented by the publishers to the library
the Institute of Physics, where they may be inspected. The Institute assumes no responsibility for the statements &ven below,
ahmation for which has been taken from the book itseu.
be Practice of Orthoptics. By G. Giles. PP. 366. up the different aspects of orthoptics and has touched on as much
(London:Hammond, Hammond and Co., Ltd.) Price 25s. net.
'Drthoptics is any method that assists or restores comfortable
bcular vision.' In this book, the author has endeavoured to link
'QL 21, AUGUST 1944 1147 1
ciples on which the scale is based are described below. Con-
sidering one face OPQR of a unit cube (Fig. 3), assume this to be
stood vertically on its side, and then tilted laterally in an anti-
clockwise direction about 0 through the angle OL to the horizontal.
Let the square now be reclined backwards so that in side elevation
it appears as line Oq at angle to the vertical. The original points
OPQR become Opqr respectively in the side elevation. Projecting
back to the front elevat,ion, the parallelogram OP,Q,R, shows the
square in its new position. Let h and 6 be the inclinations of the
lines OP,and OR,respectively with the base-he. This completes
the construction affecting two dimensions of the cube. The third
dimension is obviously perpendicular to Oq in the side elevation.
If OT is of unit length, its projection Ot (or OT,) on to the vertical
plane represents the third dimension of the cube. Thus the con-
struction of the trimetric projection has been effected for all three
dimensions, and unit lengths have developed into OP,at angle A,
OR, at angle 6 and OT, vertical. These lengths constitute the
appropriate scales for the three dimensions OX, O Y and 02
respectively. The values of the scales for engraving on the trimetric
scale can be obtained to a sufficient degree of accuracy for all
practical purposes by the geometrical construction set out in Fig. 3.
Exhaustive trials demonstrated that all ordinary requirements
Fig. 3. Geometric construction illustrating
principle of trimetric projection
could be met by a choice of three primary views, and this is also
the limit to the number of scales that can be conveniently accom-
modated on the instrument. Scales were therefore determined for
three diverse values of the combination of angles h and S. T o s m -
plify matters the vertical scale in each case was converted to unity
and the others corrected accordingly. It will be readily understood
that the scale may only be used in conjugate pairs, i.e. A, with A,,
B1 with Be and C, with C,. The scale thus constructed will give
three different aspects of an object. By turning the instrument
face down, the three reverse views can be obtained. Similarly, by
turning it through a right angle another SIX views are available,
making twelve views in all.
According to the makers, the chief advantages of trimetric pro-
jection, using the M.V. Trimetric Scale, are as follows: (I) The
drawings give the requisite picture effect enablmg unskilled oper-
atives in the shops to grasp their task with the minunum of ex-
planation. Further, supervisory and other departments casually
concerned with the job can recognize the details at a glance.
(2)Alternative lines of sight are available, the choice being made to
obtain the most suitable view of the object to be drawn. (3) All
dimensions are to scale and are standardized. (4) Junior personnel
require only a short period of training to enable them to make or
read drawings in this projection. ( 5 ) Skilled workers, such as tool
makers, die slnkers and pattern makers, can save considerable time
in the making of tools, dies and patterns, and, in the case of com-
plicated designs, the necessity of making models is obviated.
(6) Conventions as to the left and right side differ in English and
American projection ; trimetric drawings prevent misinterpretation
leading to components being made ' wrong-hand'. (7) It provides
a convenient and inexpensive means of making illustrations for
lectures, publications and catalogues, and picture assemblies to
assist engineers erecting gear on site.
theory as will enable the practitioner to understand the principles
involved. The importance of the clinical side of the work has not
been overlooked. Attention is devoted to principles rather than to