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4.8 Laying Out an Angle

Many angles can be laid out directly with the triangle or protractor. For more accuracy, use one of the methods shown in Figure 4.31.

4.31

4.31 Laying Out Angles

Tangent Method The tangent of angle θ is y/x, and y = x tan θ. Use a convenient value for x, preferably 10 units (Figure 4.31a). (The larger the unit, the more accurate will be the construction.) Look up the tangent of angle θ and multiply by 10, and measure y = 10 tan θ.

Example To set off eqn_4-18.jpg, find the natural tangent of eqn_4-19.jpg, which is 0.6128. Then, eqn_4-20.jpg.

Sine Method Draw line x to any convenient length, preferably 10 units (Figure 4.31b). Find the sine of angle θ, multiply by 10, and draw arc with radius eqn_4-21.jpg sin θ. Draw the other side of the angle tangent to the arc, as shown.

Example To set off eqn_4-22.jpg, find the natural sine of eqn_4-23.jpg, which is 0.4305. Then eqn_4-24.jpg.

Chord Method Draw line x of any convenient length, and draw an arc with any convenient radius R—say 10 units (Figure 4.31c). Find the chordal length C using the formula eqn_4-25.jpg sin θ/2. Machinists’ handbooks have chord tables. These tables are made using a radius of 1 unit, so it is easy to scale by multiplying the table values by the actual radius used.

Example Half of eqn_4-26.jpg. The sine of eqn_4-27.jpg for a 1 unit radius. For a 10 unit radius, eqn_4-28.jpg units.

Example To set off eqn_4-29.jpg, the chordal length C for 1 unit radius, as given in a table of chords, equals 0.7384. If eqn_4-30.jpg units, then eqn_4-31.jpg units.

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