Horology & Precision Mechanics

How much does setting lift angle to 50° affect amplitude on a 53° caliber?

⚡ Instant Calculated Answer

Entering a lift angle of 50° on a movement with an actual lift angle of 53° distorts the apparent balance amplitude by -11.8° (a true 290° amplitude displays as 278.2°).

-11.8° Error Primary Metric
278.2° Displayed Secondary Metric

📐 Mathematical Formula & Step-by-Step Substitution

\[ \theta_{apparent} = \theta_{true} \cdot \frac{\sin(\alpha_{set})}{\sin(\alpha_{actual})} = 290 \cdot \frac{\sin(50^\circ)}{\sin(53^\circ)} = 278.2^\circ \]
Apparent_Amp = 290 * (sin(50) / sin(53)) = 278.2 deg
  1. Timing machines deduce balance wheel amplitude by timing the acoustic impulse interval: t_impulse = Lift_Angle / (2 * pi * f * Amplitude).
  2. If the instrument's setting (alpha_set = 50°) disagrees with the caliber geometry (alpha_actual = 53°), apparent amplitude scales by sin(50°) / sin(53°).
  3. Ratio = sin(50°) / sin(53°) = 0.7660 / 0.7986 = 0.9592.
  4. Calculated reading: 290° × 0.9592 = 278.2° (error of -11.8°).

📊 Nearby Parameter Reference Table

Set Lift Angle Actual Angle True Amplitude Timing Machine Display
48° 53° 290° 269.9°
49° 53° 290° 274.0°
50° (Current) 53° 290° 278.2° (-11.8°)
51° 53° 290° 282.2°
53° (Exact) 53° 290° 290° (0.0°)
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