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Structure of mechanism |
| Function |
This instrument comprises a horizontal beam, which oscillates on a knife-edge which is in fact a steel prism. This knife-edge is part of the beam. At each extremity of the beam is another knife-edge (facing upwards) on which is suspended a staple supporting two pans. On each pan there is an initial, either D or G, to indicate whether it is the right-hand (D) or left-hand (G) pan, to optimise balancing. Two nuts on threaded shafts enable the balance adjustment of the mobile parts. A very long needle fixed to the middle of the beam, facing downwards, moves in front of a very small graduated rule to facilitate the monitoring of the equilibrium. On the front of the apparatus there is also a screw, which is used to raise or lower the beam with respect to the knife-edge fulcrum. This avoids unnecessary wear when the scale is not in use. The stand also features a spirit level. A drawer located on the front of the apparatus is used to store the accessories (weights, wire, aluminium foil, instructions, etc.) as well as the dismantled scale. |
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Application |
| Examples of application |
This scale enables precise weight measurement. It was used by future teachers during their studies at the men’s and women’s teacher training colleges, now the IUFM (University Teacher Training Institute) in Clermont-Ferrand. |
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