When it comes to industrial scales, one of the most important components is proper calibration. Unfortunately, the process to calibrate most scales is arduous and complicated, which can spell significant revenue loss for growing companies.
Many scale manufacturers require their users to actually take their scales out of service for calibration, and some even require that the scales themselves be sent back to the manufacturer. This means that companies lose valuable time and money and often will have to invest in additional industrial scales to ensure they’re not without a usable scale for any length of time.
Does My Scale Need to be Calibrated?
If you’re unsure of whether your scale needs to be calibrated, it’s important to follow a few steps to determine if conditions exist that could warrant the need for calibration:
-
Different weight readings based on where an item is placed – If you’re experiencing significantly different weight readings based on where an item is placed on your scale platform, this could point to your scale needing to be calibrated. Be sure to check to ensure your scale platform is level, to ensure the load cell is able to move properly to achieve an accurate reading.
- Weight readings that don’t settle – If you place an item on your scale and the display indicator never seems to settle, you obviously have a problem. Before assuming your scale needs to be calibrated, make sure that your scale is not on any type of surface that’s vibrating or being exposed to any type of air currents, which could affect the accuracy of weight readings.
- Weight value never changes – Another example of an issue with your scale is called a ‘zero reading’. This type of scenario exists when an object is placed on the scale, but the indicator remains at zero. In this instance, make sure that all of the legs are securely on the floor and level and that nothing is making contact under the scale platform, which could be affecting the flex of the load cell.
Your Scale Need Calibration? Here Are The Steps to Take
If you’ve determined that your Arlyn Scale needs to be calibrated, follow the following steps:
(if you need clarification regarding one of the terms).
- Place your scale in a stable environment – Some of the variables you should try to control are level floors; temperatures within the listed specifications of the scale; avoid areas with vibrations and air currents.
- Enter calibration mode – Press the Set Up menu and then select Platform Setups and Span Calibration. You will then need to enter a test weight.
- Selecting a test weight value – The test weight that you choose should be within your scale constraints, typically around 50% of the maximum capacity.
- Remove any objects from the scale platform – Ensure that there are no objects on the scale platform and that nothing is coming in contact with the underside of the scale platform, which could affect the load cell calibration process. Press the Enter button.
- Press “Calibrate.”
- Place the test item on the scale – You’ll now be asked to place the test item on the scale platform. When doing so, make sure to place the item in the center of the scale platform. Wait for a few seconds to ensure the scale has stabilized and press Enter. Once the device has finished calibrating it will return to the Platform menu.
Congratulations! You’ve now calibrated one of our industrial scales and can get back to focusing on other more pressing issues in your business knowing that your scale is properly functioning again.
The Arlyn Scales Difference
When it comes to choosing a manufacturer that is focused on providing the best industrial scale on the market, we understand that you have quite a few choices. At Arlyn Scales, we long ago took a completely different approach to manufacturing and selling our industrial scales and we think it shows both in the quality of our scales, but also in the loyal following of customers we have that continue to purchase scales from us decade after decade.
To give you a bit of history on our company, we’ve been in business for 30+ years, and in that time we’ve designed and manufactured all of our scales in our own facilities, in the U.S. We’re headquartered in Long Island, New York, where our design and manufacturing teams work tirelessly to produce scales that meet the needs of our customers: patenting new technologies and using durable materials to lengthen the life of our customers’ scales.
View our newest , using Surface Acoustic Wave technology.
By manufacturing and designing our own scales, we’ve been able to sell factory direct to our customers to help cut costs and eliminate a complex layer of distributors that are often used by our competitors. In addition, because our scale designers and manufacturing team members interact with our customers each and every day, they’re able to quickly spot and resolve any issues that arise, as well as listen to our customer’s needs when it comes to new features.
This close connection with our customers is what helped us to realize the value of a quick and painless calibration process and it’s also why all of our scales are shipped pre-calibrated, and if they ever do need to be re-calibrated, it can all be done by the customer, in the field. This helps to reduce costly downtime and ensure our customers are able to get the most use out of our industrial scales while they’re in the field.
Interested in Learning More About our Scales or our Calibration Process?
We hope that we’ve removed some of the questions that relate to calibrating one of our industrial scales. We’ve done our best to make the calibration process of our scales as easy and pain-free as possible. After reading this article if you have additional questions about how to calibrate one of our industrial scales, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team by phone at 800-645-4301 or send us an email through our online contact form.
