Friday, 29 August 2014

The Uses Of A Slope Indicator

By Marlene Blevins


Slope indicators and meters are both classified under the same category of devices. They are used to indicate the steepness of land. A slope indicator can be used by anybody who gets involved in activities that require measuring the inclination of surfaces, plants, buildings, or items. They are designed for use in rugged and tough environments.

When the right installation procedure is followed to install the device on motor graders or related machines, it provides accurate values for the steepness of land being graded. When installing, the device should be set in parallel to the machine it is installed on. This implies that the machine must be on a flat surface at the time of installation. To be accurate in the measurements, it is advisable to take readings over a large distance.

Modern devices are brightly colored to enhance their aesthetic value. The scales also have wide viewing ranges. Both sides of the scales are marked up to the 50th mark from 0. Red color is used to demarcate danger zones on most devices. Danger zones are all readings that are beyond 35 degrees.

Devices not meant for installing on machinery come with rectangle-shaped cutouts at their bases. The cutouts are for attaching the devices on poles when in use. Some devices have slightly larger cutouts for holding or attaching them on ropes. Attaching on other platforms like skis is made easier by having the bases made in a concave shape. Most applications involve spending several hours in the field hence most models are light in weight.

There is a great variation in the sizes of slope indicators. Small models can be operated while held in the hands while large ones may need some base for support when working. Size is dictated by purpose of the product. The high level of accuracy in modern-day brands make it easy to construct perfect slopes. Accuracy is normally within the range of a degree. Response time can be as less as a single second in some models. The design does not allow accuracy of readings to be affected by snow, rain, dust or other weather factors.

The circuitry of the indicator is enclosed by casings made from various materials. Some of the major materials used to make casings include aluminum, plastic, steel, alloys, and fiber. When used well, the operator of the machine with the gadget can do work at a very high rate. In fact, it is even possible to work at night or in areas with poor visibility.

The gadget is normally calibrated in large numerical scales to allow the user to take readings at a single glance. Readings are indicated by a ball or a pointer, which rests on the exact value. The pointer may take a few seconds to settle on the mean value.

The cost depends on factors such as accuracy, size, response time, quality, manufacturer, and scale. The price ranges from a few dollars to several hundreds of dollars. Purchases can be made from local stores, shopping malls, licensed dealers, or on-line stores.




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