A scale is a measurement device. It is engineered to provide accurate weight information. Depending on the items to be weighed, the scale type may be a small bench or laboratory scale, or a larger drum or platform scale, or for even larger items, may be a floor scale or crane scale. In all of these cases, the accuracy of the scale is one of its most important attributes. But even the most accurate weight results are of little use if they cannot be easily acquired by the operator of the industrial scale. Even the simplest scales provide some sort of weight readout. Generally this consists of a numeric display that will give a digital weight result. Often, there will be a number of small indicators to note the weight unit that is being reported, along with other information pertaining to [+]

In almost every type of industry, a variety of different types of industrial scales are used for the measurement of weight. Most often, the operator of the scale will use the weight information directly. This may be for the purpose of filling containers, pails, cylinders or tanks. It may be to note the weight of an incoming or outgoing shipment. It may be to count the number of items in a container for inventory purposes. Or it may be to weigh out a number of different ingredients for formulating chemicals or other types of products. Many times, though, the weight data may need to be recorded. This can be done by providing the scale with an industry standard serial communication port, such as RS-232. This can directly connect to an appropriate printer to directly print the weight. Or, a computer may [+]

A pallet is an ideal device for helping move large quantities of industrial equipment. Standard size pallets are usually about 48” x 40”. They are often constructed of wood. Recently, many pallets are being manufactured from plastic to provide excellent characteristics for re-use. They are designed so that they may be easily moved by using a common forklift. Often, it is important to know the weight of the material on the pallet. A floor scale is ideal for this purpose. The most standard size for this type of device is 48” x 48”, but they are also available in smaller sizes and much larger sizes. Capacities generally range from about 2500 lb all the way up to 20,0000 lb. Digital indicators are provided to display the weight on the platform. Communication capability is often provided to direct weight data to computer [+]

It would be ideal if every industrial environment was completely safe. Unfortunately, there are many industrial situations where hazardous materials are used. This is the situation where many common solvents are used or manufactured. There are a wide variety of chemicals which may explode in the presence of a spark or may ignite in the presence of a flame. Explosive situations may even exist in areas where the atmosphere has a very high dust content. Equipment that is use in these areas must be specially designed so that they cannot cause a spark or flame or very high temperature, even if there are compound failures of that equipment. Generally, these items may be considered to be intrinsically safe. Intrinsically safe scales are used in hazardous areas where items must be weighed. While it is important, of course, for these devices to be [+]

A company’s shipping and receiving department must have a good method of determining the weight of everything that they handle. Freight will be charged by weight on outgoing shipments. Weighing these shipments can also be used as a final quality control check to make certain that everything that is supposed to be in the shipment is actually there, and that there is not additional, unexpected weight. Incoming shipments should be weight checked against the expected incoming weight. Often, commodity products are purchased by weight. It is good business practice to double check that the material received has met its weight requirements. The most common type of device used for this purpose is a platform scale. They are available in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from as small as 20” x 27” up to sizes of 48” x 48”. Weight capacities [+]