For many people, their last attempt at measuring an angle might have occurred as far back as high school or maybe even grammar school. We use protractors to measure angles, and while you might only be familiar with the little plastic models from geometry class, there are actually several more sophisticated devices that are used by various professionals. A digital protractor is a device that can make angle measuring very simple and your results are provided through a digital readout. These also can be called digital inclinometers or an electronic protractor.
If you are wondering how to use an electronic protractor there actually are two methods of taking measurement using the protractor. The horizontal measurement mode uses a horizontal surface as the base or zero angle. You set the protractor to "horizontal measurement mode" then place the protractor on the angled surface.
Of course, sometimes you will need to calculate the measurements of more than one surface. You can accomplish this feat using the digital protractor's relative measurement mode. To do this, simple make sure you are in the correct mode and then measure the first angle, clear the reading and then measure the second surface. From there, the electronic protractor will determine the differences between these two angle measurements.
If you were wondering what types of workers or professional would use an electronic protractor, the answer is there are many applications. For instance, land surveyors often will use a digital protractor or inclinometer to measure the slope of land. Civil engineers building skyscrapers, bridges and roads also will use the digital protractor for similar purposes. Foresters might use this device to learn more about the heights of trees in our nation's forests.
Doctors can use a digital protractor to measure a person's spinal angles or perhaps the pelvis or even to check the range of motion of different joints. An astronomer, either professional or an amateur, might use an electronic protractor to ensure that a telescope is set up properly. If you are a soldier learning how to accomplish long-range shooting, a digital protractor can help make sure that your gun is lined up correctly so that you reach your target exactly.
These applications are just some instances where an electronic protractor can be used. The uses are limitless providing there are angle measurements to be taken. This is a useful tool for anyone who works with angles, which is a wide range of field of study and professionalism. These include structural engineers, land surveyors, geophysicists, soldiers, carpenters and so on. An electronic protractor can be useful for recreational, home and commercial purposes.
Source : By Carey Bourdier, About the Author : Carey Bourdier loves writing about precision scientific instruments. To get more information about surveying instruments such as an electronic protractor (http://www.warrenknight.com/wk-35-4445-electronic-protractor/), or to find more details about a telemetric alignment system, check out Warren Knight (http://www.warrenknight.com) today.
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