For many decades, scale owners had two main choices when it came to purchasing an industrial scale: strain gauge scales or force motor scales. If a customer needed precision measurements, they were left with only one option: force motor scales.
While force motor scales have their use, they do come with a variety of drawbacks. At Arlyn Scales, we’ve been in the industry for over thirty years, so we’ve seen many of these drawbacks of force motor scales, first-hand.
In turn, we developed a revolutionary, internationally patented technology that powers our Ultra Precision Scales. These scales offer precision measurements, without many of the downsides of force motor scales.
A Quick Overview of How Force Motor Scales Operate
Force motor scales typically work by using a basic level and fulcrum, with the scale platform attached to one side of the lever. On the other end is a force coil that’s suspended in a magnetic field.
A displacement detector and a power amplifier produce a current that enables the lever to stay balanced in the null position while weight is applied to the scale platform. The electric current necessary to maintain this null position is directly proportional to the weight on the scale platform.
While this design offers precision readings, it also has a number of drawbacks.
What are the Disadvantages of Force Motor Scales?
The first being the sheer cost. Force motor scales are much more expensive than standard strain gauge scales, which can make them inaccessible for many customers.
Additionally, because the accuracy of force motor scales can change over time, these scales can become affected by changes in vibration, temperature and air currents. To help deal with these types of errors, some force motor scales are equipped with an internal calibration mechanism, which must be recalibrated quite often.
Force Motor Scales: Capacity Constraints May Be Prohibitive
Another noteworthy limitation of force motor scales is their capacity constraints. These scales are typically only ideal for extremely low capacity loads.
This can be as little as 25 lbs. or less in many instances. Large capacity loads would require a high amount of electrical current, which would be impractical, so these scales are typically only used to weigh low capacity loads.
Ultra Precision Scale Selection Guide
For many years, purchasing managers had few options when it came to an alternative to force motor scales. Thankfully the team at Arlyn Scales took an entirely different approach to provide precision measurements.
Here, our metrology experts developed our line Ultra Precision Scales, which are powered by our patented Surface Acoustic Wave technology. Unlike strain gauggage scales that measure stress or strain, these precision scale models measure displacement.
SAW Design isn’t Dependent on the Amount of Applied Stress
Our SAW load cells utilize two primary transducers that are affixed to either side of the load cell.
Because our load cells aren’t dependent on the amount of stress applied to the spring element, we’re able to reduce the amount that is required by more than 90%.
This offers a much stronger and more accurate load cell that is not subject to much of the distortion and deformation of strain gauge scales.
Ultra Precision Scales Offer Increased Capacity
As mentioned above, force motor scales are not ideal at high capacities. This is much different than our Ultra Precision Scales, which can be used for both low and high capacities.
Because of the unique way in which these scales take measurements, they minimize many of the errors found with force motor scales. Best of all, you can still achieve precise measurements, even at higher capacities.
Below, you can find the capacity for each of our precision scale models, in pounds (“lbs.”) and kilograms (“kg”):
- SAW-X : 10 lbs. (4.5 kg)
- SAW-T: 25 lbs. (12 kg)
- SAW-L: 50 lbs. (22 kg)
- SAW-C: 100 lbs. (45 kg)
- SAW-H: 200 lbs. (90 kg)
- SAW-HL: 200 lbs. (90 kg)
- SAW-JL: 300 lbs. (135 kg)
- SAW-KL: 500 lbs. (225 kg)
- SAW-KXL: 500 lbs. (225 kg)
- SAW-MXL: 1,000 lbs. (450 kg)
Find the Right Size Scale for Your Needs
In addition to the weight capacity of the weighing platform itself, our original line of precision scale models boast a pan size of 12-square-inches. If you require a pan with a greater area, then the following models offer an optional upgrade:
- SAW-T: 12” x 16”
- SAW-L: 12” x 16”
- SAW-C: 12” x 16”
- SAW-H: 12” x 16”
Additionally, our Large Precision Ultra Scales offer even more space for weighing your products, supplies, and components. In inches, our line of expansive precision scale models feature the following platform sizes:
- SAW-HL: 20” x 23”
- SAW-JL: 20” x 23”
- SAW-KL: 20” x 23”
- SAW-KXL: 31.5” x 31.5”
- SAW-MXL: 31.5” x 31.5”
Increase Versatility with Ultra Precision Scales
In the past, customers were forced to purchase multiple scales if they needed to weigh heavy objects and yet still have the ability to weight small items with precision measurements. Thanks to our Ultra Precision Scales, you can have the best of both worlds.
You have the ability to generate precision readings for lower capacity items. Moreover, you’re still able to provide accurate weight readings for higher capacity items as well.
Below, you can find the readability for each of our precision scale models, in pounds (“lb.”) and grams (“g”):
- SAW-X : 0.0001 lb. (0.05 g)
- SAW-T: 0.0002 lb. (0.1 g)
- SAW-L: 0.0005 lb. (0.2 g)
- SAW-C: 0.001 lb. (0.5 g)
- SAW-H: 0.002 lb. (1 g)
- SAW-HL: 0.002 lb. (1 g)
- SAW-JL: 0.002 lb. (1 g)
- SAW-KL: 0.005 lb. (2 g)
- SAW-KXL: 0.005 lb. (2 g)
- SAW-MXL: 0.01 lb. (5 g)
A Cost-Effective Option for Precise Weight Measurements
Another massive benefit of our Ultra Precision Scales is their competitive pricing. These scales are typically found in the price range of a high-end strain gauge scale, whereas force motor scales typically cost several times more than that.
This makes the decision to purchase a precision scale much easier for purchasing managers looking to provide highly accurate readings, but at a price point that they can justify.
- SAW-C: $1299
- SAW-H: $1599
- SAW-L: $1299
- SAW-T: $1299
- SAW-X : $1299
- SAW-HL: $2199
- SAW-JL: $2399
- SAW-KL: $2699
- SAW-KXL: $3499
- SAW-MXL: $3899
Why Purchase an Ultra Precision Scale from Arlyn Scales?
While we hope we’ve convinced you of the benefits of our Ultra Precision Scales, you may want to know a little bit more about our company before you decide to purchase a scale from us. At Arlyn Scales, we’ve been manufacturing high-quality industrial scales for more than 30 years.
We’re actually based in Long Island, New York, where our scales are designed and manufactured. Many of our competitors chose to move their manufacturing operations overseas during the past several years, but we’ve vowed to keep our facilities located in the US.
We’re confident that this gives us a leg up on our competitors when it comes to spotting any quality control issues early. It also empowers us to identify needs in the market where we can provide a solution such as our precision scale models.
Discover the Ideal Precision Scale Model at Arlyn Scales
At Arlyn Scales, we’re committed to providing our customers with the highest quality scale at a price that’s within their budget. We think that our Ultra Precision Scales are a great example of this mantra.
For more comprehensive information about our line of Ultra Precision Bench Scales, see the specification sheet here. Alternatively, for more comprehensive information about our line of Large Ultra Precision Bench Scales, see its specification sheet here.
To learn more about our entire line of industrial scales, reach out to our team today.
