6 Tips on Choosing the Right Scales for Your Workplace

Important points to consider when deciding which scale or balance you need for your workplace!

A couple of weeks ago we launched a new range of industrial scales and balances and we thought we would put together a handy guide on the sort of questions to ask yourself when trying to find the correct type for your workplace. There are a lot of options available so hopefully this will help you to narrow down your choices.

Selecting the right scale or balance:

1. Knowing the application

What is the balance / scale going to be used for?
Where is it going to be used?
Is the balance or scale going to be interfaced to other equipment?

Some ideas of different applications:

Counting parts
General warehouse
Shipping and receiving
Manufacturing (industrial or laboratory)
Automotive
Laboratory testing or research
Materials testing
Field applications
Education
Food processing or preparation
Veterinarian or health care

2. Readability

Readability is the finest reading that you can see on the screen. It is not neccessarily the the accuracy of the scale as this is influenced by a number of different aspects. The readability is the smallest increment that can be displayed.

3. Capacity

This is the maximum weight that you need the scale or balance to weigh. It should include any weight of containers that might be used as well.

4. Weighing units

Many balances and scales are capable of weighing in different units from ounces to kilograms and a whole lot in between. Certain applications require particular weighing units so it's important to think of which units you will need to weigh in. For example, jewellers may want to weigh in carats and gun powder is often weighed in grains.

5. Pan or platform size

The application can definitely determine what pan size is required. You do not want the items to be weighed falling off the top of the balance or scale. Likewise where the balance or scale is located may also effect the pan size; space restrictions may require a smaller platform. For weighing several small parts there are counting scales available with plastic cylinders on top to hold items in one place and prevent them falling off the pan.

6. Other features

There are a lot of other features that can help determine the right balance for you

Some ideas of features include:

Internal calibrations / External calibration
Connectivity USB / RS-232 – used for data collection now or in the future
Density / Specific Gravity – some balances have the ability to calculate this within the balance
Lock down – if balances are disappearing then lockdown capability might be very important

No matter what your answers to these questions you’ll be able to find the right scales for your workplace from our range. For help if choosing the ideal solution contact us today and we’ll be happy to help guide you through the range!