Axiometer; a mechanical device for locating and measuring pebble and cobble axes for macrofabric studies

Abstract The axiometer is a mechanical device consisting of a clamp which holds a stone with its long axis vertical, and a track-mounted caliper, which, restricted in motion, locates and measures the 2 axes perpendicular to the long axis. Advantages of the axiometer over other methods tested by the authors are: 1) axis locations determined by the axiometer are more accurate, so that the potential accuracy of the orientation goniometer may be realized; 2) less operator fatigue is induced by the procedure; and 3) less time is required.