Scales

Topic objectives
At the end of this topic learners will be able to:
 Define scale
 Choose proper lettering to be accompanied in the drawing

3.1 Introduction

Engineering objects vary greatly in terms of size and geometry. Some objects are extremely large (e.g.
Aero planes, rockets, etc.) while others are very small (wrist watch, electronic devices, etc.). In order to
clearly create a clear drawing of such varying size and geometry there is need to reduce or enlarge the
object on the drawing paper. However, some objects do not require reduction or enlargement but rather
drawn to their actual size. The proportion by which the drawing of an object is enlarged or reduced is
called the scale of the drawing.

Definition
A scale can be defined as the ratio of the linear dimensions of the object as represented in a drawing to the
actual dimensions of the same.

 Drawings drawn with the same size as the objects in real world are called full sized drawing.
 However, it is not convenient, always, to draw drawings of the object to its actual size. e.g.
Buildings, Heavy machines, Bridges, Watches, Electronic devices etc. Hence scales are used to
prepare drawing at

o Full size
o Reduced size
o Enlarged size

3.2 Reducing and Enlarging Scales

For large objects such as large machine parts, buildings, planes etc. which cannot be represented on the
drawing sheet to their full size a reducing scale of 1: Y is required. A reducing scale of 1: Y means that Y
unit’s length on the object is represented by 1 unit length on the drawing. When the value of Y equals 1
the drawing is said to be full size, and as the value of Y increases the size of the drawing is reduced by the
value of Y indicated.

Similarly, for drawing smaller objects such as parts of a wrist watch, instrument components etc., the use
of full scale may not be useful to represent the object clearly in a drawing. In such cases, enlarging scales
are often applied. An enlarging scale of 10: X means that one unit length on the object is represented by X
units on the drawing.

1
Scale is designated by the word SCALE, followed by the indication of its ratio as follows;

Scale 1: 1 for full size scale

Scale 1: Y for reducing scales (Y = 2, 4, 5, 10,20 ...... etc.,)
Scale X: 1 for enlarging scales (X = 2, 4, 5, 10,20 ...... etc.,)

The recommended scales commonly used in engineering drawing are shown in the table below.
Table 1. The common scales recommended.

3.3 Types of Scale

There basically two types of scales used in engineering:

1. Plain scale
2. Diagonal scale

3.3.1 Plain Scale

A plain scale is simply a line which is divided into a suitable number of equal parts, the first of which is
further sub-divided into small parts. It is used to represent either two units or a unit and its fraction such
as km and hm, m and dm, cm and mm etc.

Problem 1: On a survey map the distance between two places 1 km apart is 5 cm. Construct the scale
to read 4.6 km.

Solution:

First calculate the Representative fraction (RF) which is the ratio of the dimension of the
object shown on the drawing to its actual size.

2
 Therefore, x = 25 cm

1. Draw a line of length 25 cm.

2. Divide this into 5 equal parts. Now each part is 1 km.
3. Divide the first part into 10 equal divisions. Each division is 0.1 km.
4. Mark on the scale the required distance 4.6 km.

3.3.2 Diagonal Scales

Diagonal scales are used to represent either three units of measurements such as meters, decimeters,
centimeters or to read to the accuracy correct to two decimals.

3.3.2.1 Principle of Diagonal Scale

i. Draw a line AB and erect a perpendicular at B.

ii. Mark 10 equi-distant points (1,2,3, etc) of any suitable length along this
perpendicular and mark C.
iii. Complete the rectangle ABCD
iv. Draw the diagonal BD.
v. Draw horizontals through the division points to meet BD at l' , 2', 3' etc.

Considering the similar triangles say BCD and B44'

3
 Fig. 3.1 Principle of Diagonal Scale

Thus, the lines 1-1', 2 - 2', 3 - 3' etc., measure 0.lCD, 0.2CD, 0.3CD etc. respectively. Thus, CD is
divided into 1/10 the divisions by the diagonal BD, i.e., each horizontal line is a multiple of 1/10 CD.

Problem 2: On a plan, a line of 22 cm long represents a distance of 440 meters. Draw a diagonal scale
for the plan to read up to a single meter. Measure and mark a distance of 187 m on the scale.

Solution:

1. Calculate RF

2. As 187 m are required consider 200 m

3. Therefore drawing size = R F x actual size

When a length of 10 cm representing 200 m is divided into 5 equal parts, each part
represents 40 m as marked in the figure.
4. The first part is sub-divided into 4 divisions so that each division is 10 cm
5. On the diagonal portion 10 divisions are taken to get 1 m
6. Mark on it 187m as shown

Fig. 3.2 Diagonal Scale

4
Class Exercise

1. The length of a scale with a RF of 2:3 is 20 cm. Construct this scale and mark a distance of 16.5 cm
on it.
2. Construct a diagonal scale 1/50, showing meters, decimeters and centimeters, to measure up to 5
meters. Mark a length 4.75 m on it.
3. Construct a plain scale of RF = 1:50,000 to show kilometers and hectometers and long enough to
measure up to 7 km. Mark a distance of 5:3 kilometers on the scale.
4. Construct a diagonal scale of five times full size, to read accurately up to 0.2 mm and mark a
distance of 3 .65 cm on it.
5. Draw a diagonal scale of 1cm = 2.5krn and mark on the scale a length of 26.7 km.