Post date: Nov 16, 2015 10:47:54 AM
The diameter of the bell was a key measurement because from this number the upper diameter, the diagonal of the left and the inner height of the vessel determine the sound, making it possible to calculate the weight of the bell. However, it is necessary to identify the exact nominal musical note before the calculations take place because it allows for confirmation.
Another measurement taken from the each bell is the thickness, the width of the bell wall at the location of where the clapper hits the side of the bell. At this exact point, the wall is at its thickest point. A compass blacksmith was needed to document this data to the most exact point. The group was only able to complete this documentation when Mateo Padovani was present because this data required an expertise and experience to determine the exact location due to morphology over time.
The proportion of thickness to diameter was important when evaluating the bell shape. For example a bell with a larger thickness will have a higher proportion because it is traditionally a fraction of one. Below is the equation to demonstrate the ratio.