To be an expert on the subject of Ultra Precision Scales, which are designed and manufactured by Arlyn Scales, one must understand the following:
- How Ultra Precision Scales are different from conventional scale technologies, such as: Strain Gage and Magnetic Force Restoration
- The technology used in Ultra Precision Scales: Surface Acoustic Wave
- The variety of Ultra Precision Scale styles and capacities available
Once you know all there is to know about Ultra Precision Scales and the technology the scales use to produce extremely accurate weight readings, then you can consider yourself an expert! So, let’s get started…
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The Scale Technologies Before Surface Acoustic Wave Technology
The two most common scale technologies in existence today are Strain Gage and Magnetic Force Restoration (MFR). Both of these technologies have their benefits and are better suited for particular weighing applications; however, they’re obviously not perfect. Otherwise, Surface Acoustic Wave technology—the technology used in Ultra Precision Scales and created by Arlyn Scales—may not have been invented.
The first thing you should know about the weighing industry is that the most common scale technology used by scale manufacturers is strain gage. This is because Strain Gage scales can produce fairly accurate weight measurements and can normally endure heavy loads without succumbing to shock loading or overloading. For the majority of weighing applications, Strain Gage scales are just fine—but of course the scales have limitations. For example, Strain Gage scales are not the most accurate scales in existence; therefore, they’re not usually recommended to people who need weight readings more accurate than within 1/2 of 1% of an object’s true weight.
Before SAW, people who needed scales more accurate than the average Strain Gage scale had one other option: Magnetic Force Restoration, or MFR scales. Now, MFR scales produce weight readings more accurate than Strain Gage scales, but their maximum capacities rarely exceed 50 pounds and they are extremely expensive. Consequently, consumers frequently had to make the choice between scales that could deliver highly accurate readings and scales that could endure super heavy loads—obviously consumers chose whichever mattered most to their application… until Ultra Precision Scales came along.
How Ultra Precision Scales are Different
At some point in time, this idea—that highly accurate pieces of equipment must also be highly sensitive and prone to accidental damage—was created. We can see this idea in the above section, where we learned how consumers often had to choose between accuracy and durability. Thankfully, Arlyn Scales recognized this issue and brought the best of both worlds together.
Ultra Precision Scales are different from Strain Gage and MFR scales because they measure displacement. This means the scales can have strain levels that are lower than 10% of what is found in most strain gage load cells and can have higher load capacities. Ultra Precision Scales are more reliable and better suited for most industrial applications. The scales are built to withstand up to 2.5 times their rated loads without damage, which means Ultra Precision Scales are not as susceptible to damage from shock loading and overloading as other scales.
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Surface Acoustic Wave Technology
There are a number of factors that play into the overall outcome of Ultra Precision Scales being able to produce extremely accurate weight readings and endure high load capacities. For example, scales that utilize SAW technology measure weight digitally, so measurements never have to be translated—which otherwise opens the door for potential inaccuracies to occur. Also the load cells in Ultra Precision Scales are made from super thick metal because SAW technology doesn’t depend on the load cells being able to bend a significant amount—this allows our scales to endure heavier loads.
If you want to be a true expert on the subject of Ultra Precision Scales, then you must understand Surface Acoustic Wave Technology… so here we go:
Inside every Ultra Precision Scale, there are high strength alloy load cells. Arlyn Scales uses this alloy material for the load cells in our Ultra Precision Scales because it is very durable and helps to prevent corrosion and damage to the technology inside the load cells. Within each load cell, there is a spring element that utilizes 2 transducers. One of the transducers serves as a transmitter, while the other acts as a receiver. The transmitter creates a bulk wave that is passed to the receiver where it is then passed back to the receiver. When an object is placed on the scale platform, the spring element bends and this changes the frequency of the wave. The SAW scale measures this frequency change and uses it to determine the weight of the object on the platform.
SAW transducers are more accurate than competing load cell designs. For example, most Strain Gage scales have a resolution of 1 part in 5,000 (1:5,000). SAW scales have a resolution of 1:100,000. SAW scales can have load capacities of 1,000-pounds or higher. The higher the maximum capacity is, the lower the accuracy is; however, Ultra Precision Scales with maximum capacities of 1,000 pounds deliver a readability of .01 pounds, which is so much better than Strain Gage scales with the same capacity—they have a readability of .2 pounds.
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Ultra Precision Scales by Arlyn Scales
When you understand Surface Acoustic Wave Technology and how it is different from Strain Gage and MFR technologies, then you can practically consider yourself an expert on Ultra Precision Scales. The only thing that would really seal the deal is for you to know all of the Ultra Precision Scales Arlyn Scales offers.
Every Ultra Precision Scale maximum capacity, readability, construction, and additional feature is displayed on Arlyn Scales’ website. For example, customers can choose from load capacities ranging from 10 pounds to 1,000 pounds. Each capacity comes with a different readability and pan size. Arlyn Scales also offers a number of additional features, which make the operation of our scales more efficient for customers.
Visit our website today to learn more about all of the Ultra Precision Scale options Arlyn Scales offers.
Contact Arlyn Scales
Anyone can become a near expert on Ultra Precision Scales just by visiting Arlyn Scales’ website. We display information concerning all of the Ultra Precision Scales we manufacture on our site, in addition to a number of articles detailing Surface Acoustic Wave technology and other important topics. Check out our website today to learn all you need to know about Ultra Precision Scales. Contact our team with any questions or comments you might have by calling us at 800-645-4301 or fill out our online contact form and we’ll be in touch.
