If you are the owner of an industrial platform scale, or you are looking to purchase one, then there are a few things you should know about scale accuracy—for example, you should understand how platform scales are designed and how the accuracy of weight readings can be influenced. This knowledge is especially important if you are looking to increase the weighing accuracy of results produced by your platform scale.
Accuracy Rests on the Shoulders of Load Cells
In any digital weighing device, the load cells are the most vital part of the machine. There are a number of environmental influences that may impact the accuracy of weight results produced by industrial scales, but ultimately, if there are not high quality load cells installed in a scale or the load cells are malfunctioning, then it will be difficult to receive accurate results.
Platform scales can have 1 load cell or multiple. How many load cells a scale has depends on the size of the scale or how much weight the scale is expected to hold. No matter how many load cells a scale has, they are all designed to do the same thing: when weight is applied to the scale platform, load cells absorb the weight of the object on the platform and communicate a measurement of its weight as an electrical signal to a digital indicator, where a reading of the weight is displayed.
The load cells in your scale are only as accurate as they are manufactured to be—if you want a scale that is capable of providing extremely accurate results, then make sure you buy a scale that can deliver the kind of accuracy you want. Beyond that, the accuracy of your scale is bound to be influenced by factors outside of your control; therefore, keep your eye out for inconsistencies and be sure to put your scale somewhere where it is the least likely to be influenced by factors you cannot control.
Make Sure You’re Placing Loads on the Platform Appropriately
To ensure that accurate weighing results are achieved, make sure loads are applied to your scale platform correctly. The proper way to place loads on your scale platform should be specified by the manufacturer. Also, make sure the structure or floor under the load cells of the sale are strong enough to support the scale and whatever is placed on it for weighing.
When Load Cells Aren’t Working Right
There are numerous reasons why load cells might stop functioning properly or break down altogether. For example, significant changes in temperature surrounding scales can cause the scales to produce inaccurate weight readings by interfering with the electrical signals being communicated from load cells to digital indicators. Moisture can also affect the accuracy of weight readings if it comes into contact with load cells.
Many times, scale operators will be able to recognize when scales are not working appropriately. For example, if an object is left on a scale platform for an extended period of time and the weight reading fluctuates, then this is either a sign of load cell failure or something with the scale needs to be adjusted. This is referred to as ‘creep’. Another way to know load cells are not functioning properly is when the same load is measured repeatedly and the measurements are different each time—this is termed ‘nonrepeatability’.
It’s good to know that most load cells manufactured today are temperature-compensated, which means errors are less likely to occur because of changes in temperature. Also, scale manufacturers usually coat the working area of load cells to prevent moisture from reaching them.
What Else You Need to Know About Scale Accuracy
High-quality industrial platform scales are designed to prevent inaccuracies caused by small interferences, such as moisture or temperature changes; however, there are a number of precautions you should take to further avoid weighing inaccuracies from taking place.
Scales should be located in places where other machinery cannot interfere with weighing processes. Vibrations produced by other pieces of equipment can influence the accuracy of results produced by scales. If there are air vents near industrial scales, the wind coming from them can cause weight readings to be inaccurate. There is also the possibility of shock loading. If more weight than a scale is built to handle is loaded onto the scale platform, the scale can be damaged.
To Ensure Scale Accuracy, Buy High-Quality Platform Scales
The best way to increase the accuracy of an industrial platform scale is to buy a scale that guarantees exceptional accuracy with every load. If you are in the market for a high quality platform scale, then surely you will find just what you need with Arlyn Scales.
For over 30 years, Arlyn Scales has been a recognized leader of design, manufacturing, and technology in the weighing industry. Arlyn Scales carries a wide selection of industrial-grade platform scales and customers are given the opportunity to customize platform scales to be exactly what they need.
Standard 3200 Platform Scales by Arlyn Scales are available in a variety of maximum capacity/resolution combinations, in addition to various platform dimensions. Scales can be constructed from aluminum or stainless steel, and there are numerous additional options that can be purchased to improve the operation of platform scales.
Arlyn Scales manufactures platform scales that are corrosion-resistant and ones that are suitable for operation in hazardous locations. For customers who want extremely accurate weight readings, Arlyn Scales offers Ultra Precision Scales. These scales utilize Arlyn’s own Surface Acoustic Wave technology, which delivers results that are more accurate than any other type of weighing device out there.
Find What You Need at Arlyn Scales
To learn more about the platform scales Arlyn Scales offers, visit our website today. While there you can learn all you need to know about Standard 3200 Platform Scales, Surface Acoustic Wave technology, explosion-proof scales, and more.
If you have questions about scale accuracy or platform scales and would like to talk to an Arlyn Scales professional, then give us a call 800-645-4301 at or fill out our online contact form.
