APPLICATION OF PANTOGRAPH

Pantographs were originally used for drafting purposes in order to copy a blueprint/design or to
make it either larger or smaller (Tech FAQ, 2013). They are also used as polygraphs in order to
duplicate entire manuscripts or other documents while the original is being written. Pantographs
can produce copies of an original sketch, drawing, line, or text while the original is being drawn.
They make both larger and smaller copies of an image.
Because of their effectiveness at translating motion in a controlled fashion, pantographs have
come to be used as a type of motion guide for objects large and small. Before the advent of
control technologies such as numerical control (NC 1and CNC) and programmable logic control
(PLC), the only ways to control and guide the movement of the cutting tool were to dial the
positions by hand using dexterous skill (with natural limits on a human's accuracy and precision)
or to trace a cam, template, or model in some way, and have the cutter mimic the movement of
the tracing stylus (Engineer on A Disk, n.d.).
Pantographs are strictly mechanical in nature and are not dependent on electricity or digital
equipment. They are also small and provide mechanical support for a number of other devices
mechanical such as the extension arm of an adjustable wall-mounted mirror 2and forklifting
devices3. Another application for beam engine is utilised as an indicator to drive beam engine 4. Its
mechanism is utilised as an indicator rig for reproducing the displacement of cross-head of a
reciprocating engine5 which, in effect, gives the position of displacement. A modified 3D
pantograph / Catenary Interaction Measuring System (PCIMS) is used to collect the electric
power at the top of an electric locomotive.
Although pantographs are advantageous, they also have several disadvantages. Pantographs are
outdated as more modern duplication techniques such as photocopying, mass printing, and digital
filing have been developed. They can also be difficult to use as their design does not allow users
to properly grip an actual writing utensil. In modern times, children use pantographs as toys.
1 Refer Appendix B
2 Refer Appendix C
3 Refer Appendix C
4 Refer Appendix C
5 Refer Appendix C