Digital Scales
How to Select a Digital Bench Scale
A bench scale is generally placed on – you guessed it – a bench or a countertop. A distinguishing characteristic of digital bench scales vs. platform scales is that the controls and display are part of the unit whereas a platform scale display is separate from the weighing platform.
Kern bench scales available from Tovatech have weighing ranges from 6 to 60 kg allowing them to support a broad range of applications. Most are available with standard disposable battery power or optional rechargeable battery power in addition to line power. This is a big plus if you need portability or perform weighing operations beyond the reach of an outlet.
Specifying Digital Bench Scales
This is a straightforward process until it comes to added bells and whistles you may require for your operations. First the basics:
At the top of your list is the maximum weight the scale can handle. If … Read the rest
IP65-Rated Platform Scales Solve Multiple Weighing Tasks
Platform scales are workhorses of weighing, often finding themselves in environments that cause less rugged weighing systems to fail. The new Kern SFE platform scales, now available from Tovatech, build on the ruggedness and reliability of platform scale weighing systems. Their silicon-coated load cells and separate free-standing or wall mounted stainless steel control panel/display units are packaged in IP65-rated housings. This means these high-precision but rugged platform balances are totally protected against dust. When exterior surfaces need cleaning they resist low-pressure jets of water.*
Three Models with Readouts of <1 oz
SFE platform scales provide maximum weighing to 15, 30 and 60 kg (33, 66 and 132 pounds). Respective readouts are 5, 10 and 20 grams (all less than one ounce). Easy-to-follow instructions allow operators to use the control panel to perform a variety of weighing tasks including recipe, tolerance, and animal/dynamic. … Read the rest
Selecting an Entry-Level Single Cell Analytical Balance
An analytical balance is one of the more precise weighing and measuring tools available to industrial and academic research organizations. Laboratory balances equipped with single cell weighing systems have traditionally represented the high end of these precision weighing systems but at a cost premium. Technology advances have changed that, as evidenced by the new Kern ABS/ABJ series of analytical balances available from Tovatech.
What is Single Cell Weighing?
Simply stated, these systems use a single block of material such as aluminum as the weighing mechanism as opposed to multiple-component conventional balances. Because they have no moving parts there is no wear and tear. As a result these balances continue to perform well for a longer time than scales with conventional weighing mechanisms.
Other important advantaged include improvements in accuracy, precision, speed and reproducibility of weight values due in no small part to … Read the rest
How to Judge Scale Accuracy
At Tovatech we frequently find that customers are confused about weighing terms associated with analytical scales and precision balances, especially as it relates to scale accuracy. This comes as no surprise to us because, in fact, the terminology is confusing. Different manufacturers of analytical balances will use different weighing terms, some of them incorrect, by the way, to describe the performance and accuracy of their products. When you evaluate electronic scales you should compare the performance of a specific manufacturer’s products against each other rather than with those of different manufacturers.
Why Weighing Terms are Important
The importance of scale accuracy applies to many weighing operations across the weighing spectrum from moisture analyzers to counting scales. Some applications are more important than others. For example, you might tolerate a small degree of inaccuracy when weighing out a quantity of … Read the rest
How to Achieve Precision Weighing with an Analytical Balance
An analytical balance is a precision instrument requiring much more care and attention than industrial scales and balances used outside academic and industrial research and QC labs. Analytical balances also represent a substantial investment with prices depending on weighing range, readout, reproducibility and linearity. For these and other reasons lab personnel should understand how and how not to use these instruments, thereby maintaining equipment accuracy and extending equipment life. Here are some basic steps to follow. The balance operations manual, however, is the authority in all cases.
Setting Up an Analytical Balance
As Maria sings in “The Sound of Music” let’s start at the very beginning. Setup instructions for Kern analytical balances offered by Tovatech stress the importance of location, which ideally will be permanent.
Before unpacking the precision scale select a firm level surface remote from extreme heat, temperature fluctuations, direct sunlight, … Read the rest
What to Look For in Heavy-Lifting Crane Scales
Crane scales are the heavy lifters across a broad spectrum of industries. Digital crane scales manufactured by Kern and available from Tovatech pack useful features in a compact package for precision weighing in manufacturing, shipping, scientific, educational, commercial and warehousing operations.
For example, the Kern HTS series of industrial crane scales is available in seven models from 150 to 10,000 kg capacities and readouts from 50 to 5000 g. All models feature wireless infrared remote control operation with all functions housed in a battery-powered numeric keypad having a range of approximately 15 meters (50 feet).
Useful Features in a Digital Crane Scale
The HTS weighing mechanism is powered by a battery pack providing up to 150 hours of operation. A charge condition indicator will signal when it is due for recharging. Weights are indicated as kilograms or pounds on an easy-to-read LED display showing gross, tare and net weight. To … Read the rest
GLP Compliant Precision Scale for Recipe Weighing
A sous chef exercising a bit of creativity when following a recipe for a dessert might discover a significant improvement in the final product. Or maybe not. Such creativity is to be fully avoided when compounding drugs or other products where strict control of ingredients is mandatory. A precision balance employed for the purpose of recipe weighing and record keeping is the tool of choice in applications where regulatory compliance and lab efficiency are goals.
Recipe weighing using precision scales such as the Kern PCB available from Tovatech also supports research in labs where technicians create and vary formulations while seeking to develop new or improved products.… Read the rest
A Primer on Precision Scale Calibration and Test Weights
Precision digital scales and analytical balances must be recalibrated for accuracy to be in compliance with international standards and to maintain good laboratory practices. Analytical balances such as the Kern ABJ series can be recalibrated using internal motor-driven weights. The internal calibration sequence is initiated manually. Semi-micro analytical balances such as the Kern ABT series automatically recalibrate using internal weights under four scenarios: 1) Four hours after the previous calibration; 2) When there is a fluctuation in temperature of 0.5oC (0.9oF); 3) When the balance is switched from standby to weighing mode and condition (1) or (2) has been met or 4) If the balance was disconnected from its power source.
Other scales require external recalibration, which is performed by using test weights under procedures that should be spelled out in your company’s Quality Management manual.… Read the rest
How to Count on Your Digital Counting Scales
There’s no doubt that using digital counting scales can save time and money. Easier to explain is time, because these accurate tools can do in seconds or minutes what it would take hours to count by hand. That in itself saves time, but if the scales are also used in inventory control they can help identify unusual movement of product out of storage. Who is taking the product and why?
As good as they are – and products such as Kern’s CXB counting scale are examples – when using them one must keep in mind the old computer admonition “garbage in, garbage out.”
These scales can weigh but they can’t think. This requires operators to establish uniformity of weight across the products being weighed. What can throw this off? Well, some products in the batch may have burrs or other imperfections that will lead to inaccurate counts. In fact, anything … Read the rest
