Content code
s1096
Slug (identifier)
technical-drawing-instruments
Parent content
Grades
Secondary I
Secondary II
Secondary III
Secondary IV
Topic
Science and Technology
Tags
protractor
circle template
erasing shield
triangular ruler
Content
Contenu
Corps

To make geometric lines, material and drawing instruments are required. This concept sheet presents some of them.

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Title (level 3)
Drawing Board
Title slug (identifier)
drawing-board
Corps

The drawing board is a flat, smooth surface on which a piece of paper can be placed in order to facilitate drawing.

There are several models of drawing boards. They can be made of wood, glass, etc., and can be  portable or fixed. The following image shows a model of a portable drawing board made of plastic.

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A photo of a portable plastic drawing board.
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Title (level 3)
T-square
Title slug (identifier)
t-square
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The T-square is an instrument consisting of a head and a blade, usually made of wood or steel. The T-square is used to draw horizontal lines.

The T-square is also used to draw vertical lines and draw oblique lines by pressing a set square against the blade of the T-square.

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A photo of a wooden t-square.
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White Drawing Sheet
Title slug (identifier)
white-drawing-sheet
Corps

The white drawing sheet serves as the support on which the drawing is traced.

The sheet is usually taped to a drawing board.

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Photo of a white sheet of paper.
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Millimetric Grid Sheet
Title slug (identifier)
millimetric-grid-sheet
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The millimetric grid sheet, also known as graph paper or grid paper, is used to make several types of projections. Horizontal and vertical reference lines are spaced at |1\ \text{mm}.|

This type of grid sheet allows drawing lines of various dimensions without the need for a ruler. For example, to draw a straight line of |15\ \text{mm},| we count |15| small squares on the grid sheet.

The sheet is usually taped to a drawing board.

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A photo of a millimetric grid sheet of paper.
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Isometric Sheet
Title slug (identifier)
isometric-sheet
Corps

The isometric paper sheet allows isometric projections to be made, as it includes reference lines oriented at |120^\circ| to each other.

The sheet is usually taped to a drawing board.
 

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A photo of an isometric sheet of paper.
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Title (level 3)
Triangular Ruler
Title slug (identifier)
triangular-ruler
Corps

The triangular ruler can be used to measure and trace straight lines of various lengths.

A triangular ruler includes up to six different scales. We choose the border of the ruler that features the desired scale.
For example, if we use the scale |1:20| on the ruler, this means that a measurement of |1\ \text{mm}| on the drawing corresponds to a measurement of |20\ \text{mm}| on the real object.

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A photo of a triangular ruler.
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|45^\circ| Set Square
Title slug (identifier)
forty-five-set-square
Corps

The |45^\circ| set square is used to draw oblique lines to |45^\circ| and vertical lines.

When using a set square, you usually rest it on the blade of the T-square and slide it to where you want to draw a line.

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 A photo of a 45-degree set square.
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Title (level 3)
|30^\circ| — |60^\circ| Set Square
Title slug (identifier)
thirty-sixty-set-square
Corps

The |30^\circ| — |60^\circ| set square is used to draw oblique lines to |30^\circ| or |60^\circ| as well as perpendicular lines.

When using a set square, you usually rest it on the blade of the T-square and slide it to where you want to draw a line.

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A photo of a 30- and 60-degree set square.
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Title (level 3)
Protractor
Title slug (identifier)
protractor
Corps

A protractor is used to measure angles as well as to draw oblique lines at various angles.

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Une photo d'un rapporteur d'angle.
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Title (level 3)
Compass
Title slug (identifier)
compass
Corps

The compass is used to draw circles and arcs of circles of different radii.

One arm of the compass has a metal point called a dry point. The dry point has to be placed on the centre of the circle to be traced. The other limb has a pencil lead for tracing. Between the two branches, a worm and worm gear system adjusts the opening of the branches.

The compass can also be used to compare distances or report a measurement.

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A photo of a compass.
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Circle Template
Title slug (identifier)
circle-template
Corps

The circle template is used to draw circles of different diameters or arcs of circles.

For each circle on the template, there is the diameter measurement in millimetres |\text{(mm)}.| We need to choose the circle that corresponds to the one we want to trace.

Around the circles, there are symmetry lines. They must be aligned with the axis lines on the drawing.

 

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A photo of a circle template.
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Ellipse Template
Title slug (identifier)
ellipse-template
Corps

The ellipse template is used to draw ellipses of various sizes.

Each ellipse on the template includes its measurements in millimetres |\text{(mm)}.| We need to choose the ellipse that corresponds to the one we want to draw.

Around the ellipses are the symmetry lines, which must be aligned with the axis lines on the drawing.
 

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A photo of an ellipse template.
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Title (level 3)
French Curve
Title slug (identifier)
french-curve
Corps

The French curve is a template used to draw curves. It has several sections with curves of different radii.

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A photo of a French curve.
Description
Source : Jack R Perry Photography, Shutterstock.com
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Title (level 3)
Drawing Template
Title slug (identifier)
drawing-template
Corps

The drawing template hides part of the drawing so the desired strokes can be erased.

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A photo of a drawing template.
Description
Source : Mega Pixel, Shutterstock.com
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Title (level 3)
2H Pencil
Title slug (identifier)
twoh-pencil
Corps

The 2H pencil is used to sketch a drawing thanks to its hard graphite lead that leaves a fine pale line.

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A photo of a 2H pencil.
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Title (level 3)
HB pencil
Title slug (identifier)
hb-pencil
Corps

The HB pencil darkens the lines of the final drawing thanks to its oilier graphite lead that leaves a thick dark line.

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A photo of an HB pencil.
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Title (level 3)
Eraser
Title slug (identifier)
eraser
Corps

The eraser is used to make corrections to a drawing.

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A photo of an eraser.
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Title (level 3)
Adhesive Tape
Title slug (identifier)
adhesive-tape
Corps

Adhesive tape is used, among other things, to tape a sheet of paper to a drawing board.

Generally, we choose a tape that doesn't damage the drawing sheet, such as painter's tape or masking tape.
 

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A photo of a sheet of paper taped to a drawing board with adhesive tape and a roll of tape.
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Title (level 3)
Calculator
Title slug (identifier)
calculator
Corps

The calculator is used to make calculations when necessary.

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A photo of a calculator.
Description
Source : phototastic, Shutterstock.com
Title (level 2)
See Also
Title slug (identifier)
see-also
Contenu
Links
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