UGears STEM LAB 109 pcs Curvimeter

The Curvimeter – or opisometer – is a device that measures the length of curved lines and helps to calculate the distance between the points on a map more precisely than a ruler or a compass.

The mechanism has a measuring wheel, a clock face, and a hand. When the wheel moves along the line on a map that you need to measure, the hand moves around the clock face marked with measuring units – centimeters, inches, etc. All you need to do in the end is to check the map scale and multiply your data by the denominator in the scale.

You can rely on the curvimeter when planning a hike with your friends or a family trip – it will help you to determine the distance you’d cover to get to your destination. The device is especially useful when you have no access to any electronic gadgets or the internet.

When and who invented it:

There is no verified information about the actual inventor of the curvimeter. Some sources say the credit of its invention belongs to the Roman engineer Vitruvius, who describes a very similar device around 23 BC. Others refer to a Chinese scholar, Zhāng Héng. Russian sources suggest that the curvimeter might have been invented by the polymath Mikhail Lomonosov who presumably initially called it “krivimetr”. All in all, the official first curvimeter patent belongs to the English engineer Edward Russell Morris who in 1873 registered “a novel device for measuring distances”.

Usage:

The Curvimeter is used to measure the length of curved lines on topographic maps, charts, schemes, and plans. It is a common tool for map-makers, tourists, and road services.

o Assemble it and discover the principle of working of the Curvimeter.

o Experiment: the model comes with a Pocket Model’s Study Guide with a creation story and mechanism design as well as engaging and interesting tasks.

o Immerse yourself in Augmented Reality (AR), find out how the curvimeter is used, and interact with it via the dedicated Ugears application.

The mechanism of the Curvimeter is composed of:

• Measuring wheel with main and additional scales, and a hand.
• Planetary mechanism.
• Cycloidal drive.

Self-assembly from the parts, pulled out from wooden boards, according to easy-to-follow manual instruction. No glue or cutting needed

Model Size: 4.5 x 3.3 x 6.6 in
Package size: 8.1 x 7.4 x 2.5 in
Number of parts: 109
Level: Easy
Assembly Time: 2 hours
Recommended Age: 8+
Kit weight: 0.9 lbs