III. On an integrating machine having a new kinematic principle

Abstract

Abstract The kinematic principle for integrating ydx, which is used in the instruments well known as Morin’s Dynamometer and Sang’s Planimeter, admirable as it is in many respects, involves one element of imperfection which cannot but prevent our contemplating it with full satisfaction. This imperfection consists in the sliding action which the edge wheel or roller is required to take in conjunction with its rolling action, which alone is desirable for exact communication of motion from the disk or cone to the edge roller. The very ingenious, simple, and practically useful instrument well known as Amsler’s Polar Planimeter, although different in its main features of principle and mode of action from the instruments just referred to, ranks along with them in involving the like imperfection of requiring to have a sidewise sliding action of its edge rolling wheel, besides the desirable rolling action on the surface which imparts to it its revolving motion—a surface which in this case is not a disk or cone, but is the surface of the paper, or any other plane face, on which the map or other plane diagram to be evaluated in area is drawn.