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There are six simple questions you should ask yourself when looking to select the right balance or scale for your application.
1. What is your application?
What is the balance / scale going to be used for and in what environment is it going to be used? Does it need to be interfaced to other equipment?
Below is a list of just some of the different applications:
- Counting parts
- General warehouse
- Shipping and receiving
- Manufacturing
- Automotive
- Laboratory testing / research
- Materials testing
- Field applications
- Education (schools, colleges and universities)
- Food processing or preparation
- Veterinary Healthcare
2. What readability do you require?
The readability is the smallest increment that can be displayed (eg 1g or 0.1g). It might not be the accuracy of the scale or balance as that would be determined by a range of factors.
3. What is the maximum capacity you need to weigh?
This should include the weight of containers, packaging etc. If your weight is close to the maximum for a certain scale, you may wish to consider moving up a level to future proof your investment.
4. What weighing unit(s) do you need?
Some applications require particular units of measurement (eg milligrams, grams, ounces, grains etc). Many balances and scales are capable of weighing in different units. What do your applications require?
5. What is your optimum pan/ platform size?
Identical weights of different products take up varying levels of space, so you need to determine what size pan (also called platform) is necessary. You do not want items to be falling off the scale/ balance. Also, if items exceed the pan/ plate size readings may become in accurate. You may also have space restrictions limiting the size you can accommodate.
6. What other features are necessary?
The final question involves reviewing what other features are essential or would benefit your application(s). This could include:
- Internal or external calibration?
- Connectivity - USB or RS232?
- How will data be collected - now or in the future?
- Is lock down (more commonly known as password protection) required to prevent scales/ balance from unauthorised removal? Are you looking to calculate density or specific gravity (some balances have the ability to do this)?
