pantographs
Parallelogram tracing devices
Pantographs are mechanical devices with jointed arms arranged in a parallelogram, used to copy drawings at different scales.
The mechanism links movement—tracing one end reproduces the motion at the other, enlarged or reduced.
The same principle appears in scissor-like extending structures: the pantograph on an electric locomotive connects to overhead wires, maintaining contact as the train moves.
She used a pantograph to enlarge the map.
Reproducing something exactly
- scalingClimbing or resizing
- enlargingIncreasing the size of
- reducingMaking less or smaller
- tracingCopying by following lines
parallelogram · linkage · drawing · blueprint · map · stencil · template · mechanical
Gravity-formed suspension curve
- overheadLocated directly above
- electricPowered by current
- trolleyWheeled cart or railcar
- tractionAdhesive friction enabling movement
collector · carbon · contact · spring · arm · roof · locomotive · train
Connected system of parts
- parallelogramQuadrilateral with paired parallels
- scissorCut with crossed blades
- extendableAble to increase length
- foldingBending something over itself
accordion · joints · hinges · arms · bars · pivot · articulated · expansion
copying
Reproducing something exactly
tracing · parallelogram · linkage · drawing · blueprint · map · stencil · template · mechanical · pivot
catenary
Gravity-formed suspension curve
traction · collector · carbon · contact · spring · arm · roof · locomotive · train · current
linkage
Connected system of parts
- parallelogramQuadrilateral with paired parallels
- scissorCut with crossed blades
- extendableAble to increase length
folding · accordion · joints · hinges · arms · bars · pivot · articulated · expansion · retraction
- railway equipmentlocomotives, rails, ties, switches, signals
- rail electrificationoverhead wire, catenary, third rail, overhead line, overhead lines
- railroadstrains, train, tracks, track, locomotive
- railwaystrains, train, locomotives, locomotive, tracks
- rail transitsubway, metro, tram, train, trains
- electrical systemswiring, circuits, voltage, transformers, electricity