How Custom Scales Benefit Your Production Line

platform-scale-2TCustom scales can provide an enormous benefit where standard scales may not. Many businesses use a variety of production methodologies that evolve into a very unique production line. Rather than change an established and effective way of conducting business, it makes much more sense to look beyond standard mass produced scales and into scales that are tailor made to the individual process. Arlyn Scales has been a leader for the past thirty years because of our commitment to our customers. We are constantly looking for ways to make better scales and improve our customers businesses. Purchasing a scale from our company is very much a collaborative experience because we want to know what our scales can do for you and if they can be a better fit for you through some customization. This experience helps us design better scales for the future and learn how we can better cater to our clients more personalized needs. We manufacture our scales in our factory in Long Island, New York where our company is located. This efficient arrangement pays handsome dividends both to us and to our customers. We’re able to ship factory direct to our customers and help them save the money they would have spent on a marked up product if they had purchased a scale from a distributor. It helps us save money and since we’re not working with distributors and other third parties, we’re able to invest our savings in custom designs and higher quality scales for all our customers. You will not find a better scale at a better price from any of our competitors.

Platform Size

Scale platforms can be a tricky thing depending on what you are trying to weigh. While we make every effort to anticipate the dimensions our clients may need, you may find yourself weighing objects of unusual size. For example, we manufacture one of our floor scales with a platform size of 5 x 5. The floor scale has a maximum standard capacity of 20,000 lbs. It is entirely possible for you to have a 20,000 lbs. object you need to weigh that is 6 x 6. If this is the case, we can work with you to come up with a design that includes a larger platform size. If we were actually designing this example, we would continue to incorporate a low profile for the platform design so that it is still easy for you to load and unload heavy weights regardless of dimensions.

Capacity

The reverse of the above example could be true as well. You could have a 5 x 5 object that weighs 25 lbs. So, why would you want to purchase a floor scale? Your best bet would be to purchase a bench scale with a modified scale platform. We offer a variety of scales that, all together, have a range of capacities from 5 lbs to 20,000 lbs. Or you could require a smaller platform size that requires a high capacity with high resolution. If so, you might wish to consider getting one of our ultra precision industrial scales. You could purchase one of these with a capacity of up to 500 lbs. And of course, should you need a higher capacity, we are more than happy to discuss your options with you.

Standard Accuracy/Ultra Precision

Depending what your business does, you may require a standard accuracy scale or something with a higher resolution and accuracy. Should you require just standard accuracy, we have some very exciting developments to report. For the past sixty years, the standard load cell for scales has been the strain gauge load cell. This type of load cell is made with a section that is a thin piece of metal, called a spring element, which resembles a miniature diving board. One end is attached to the underside of the scale’s platform and the other to the floor of the scale. When an object is placed on the scale platform, the spring element bends. The strain gages attached to the spring element change their resistance, which causes a change in the analog voltage signal directed to a Analog to Digital (A/D) converter. That is where it is changed to a digital signal and sent to the scale’s indicator where it is displayed as a numeric value. While this is all well and good, the load cell’s sensitivity is also its vulnerability. Because the spring element must be thin, it is easy for the load cell to be damaged by shock loading and overloading. When this happens and the scale is not immediately rendered inoperable, the accuracy becomes compromised. This means that the company has to take the scale out of service and have it repaired or replaced. This can cause serious problems for a production line. Our strain gage load cells are coupled with some very accurate electronics. Furthermore, we machine our load cells out of stainless steel, which is far more accurate and durable. If you require higher resolution for your customized scale, we recommend our Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) load cells. These load cells do not measure strain and stress like the standard strain gauge load cells do. Our SAW load cells measure displacement, which requires less flexibility from the spring element, which means more accurate measurements at higher resolutions and capacities.

Custom Service for Custom Scales

As you can see, there are a lot of options to think through when it comes to how to best benefit your company and its production line. Not only are there the above options, but you might want computer connectivity or logic controllers to help automate your production line. Whatever you may need, our knowledgeable customer support staff is ready to talk with you about how a custom Arlyn scale can make your business even more efficient and successful. Contact us today to discuss your needs and your options. Simply call (800) 645-4301 or use the form on the Contact Us page of this site.