The first step that you’ll need to take in order to calibrate your digital scale is to turn it on, and then let it warm up for a number of minutes. I know this seems obvious, but if you’ve been experiencing problems with your scale, you do want to make sure that the batteries are fresh or that it’s firmly plugged in, and that it has had an opportunity to adjust to the temperature of the environment. The value of this first step should not be underestimated.

After the power source of your scale has checked and your scale has been turned on for some appropriate time, use the on screen menus find and press the calibration button until your scale gives you some sort of visual acknowledgement on its screen. The calibration button or setting will vary from scale to scale, but can most likely be found by pressing the function button, the mode button, or a button that reads “CAL”. Don’t forget that if you’re unsure of which button to choose, there’s no need to panic. The manufacturer manual can provide you with this information.

Once you’ve turned on your scale and held down the calibration button for a sufficient length of time, your scale should automatically go into calibration mode. Once it enters calibration mode, your screen will either display “CAL” and then a number or it will simply display a number in order to let you know that it’s ready to go. More advanced scales will actually give detailed instructions on the screen. When the aforementioned number appears on your screen, place the appropriate calibration weight on the scale, and allow it to be weighed for 3 to 5 seconds.

If you have lost your calibration weight, you can purchase another one either from your digital scale’s manufacturer or from a vendor that sells digital scales. Alternatively, your scale may ask you for a 100 gram weight. If this happens, you can use a standard stainless steel test weight, or a combination of weights that add up to 100 grams.

After the calibration weight has rested on the scale for 3 to 5 seconds, press and hold down the calibration button one more time. Your scale should give you some sort of final visual acknowledgement that will let you know it has finished its calibration. Your screen will likely read “CAL”, “END”, or “0″. Congratulations! After following these steps, your scale should be calibrated and ready to use.

The following is an overview of different types of small digital scales, listed approximately from highest to lowest resolution.

• High resolution scales

These types of scales are suited for laboratory use in universities.  Ideally, they should include a tare function for zeroing weighing vessels such as weighing paper or trays.  A standard feature is display capability for different weighing units, most commonly, ounces and grams.  The desired resolution for these scales is 1 mg, a requirement met by scales with maximum weighing capacities of 750 mg.  For pharmaceutical applications, the resolution should be 0.1 mg.

• Counting scales

Counting scales are useful for measuring quantities of items whose weights are consistent.  They often have a memory feature that stores the weight of as much as 450 different items, which eliminates the need to weigh a standard sample every time.  Fulfillment centers  use these scales for counting products quickly and accurately. Document control and business card supply companies often use them to count sheet paper and business cards. Utilizing counting scales for fulfillment purposes is advantageous to a business because it reduces quantity errors on product orders, which leads to greater client satisfaction.

• Rain gauge scales

The scale method of measuring precipitation is superior to standard graduated rain gauges in that the weight, rather than the volume of precipitation is measured.  This confers greater accuracy, since water tends to stick to the sides of standard rain gauges, resulting in under-estimates of actual precipitation.  Another advantage of using rain gauge scales is the option of using a meter that measures the amount of chemicals present in the precipitation, for the purposes of quantifying environmental pollutants.  These scales must be resistant to moisture, corrosion and extremes in temperature.

• Industrial bench scales

Bench scales have a display that is attached to the weighing platform by an electronic cord, and can be interfaced with a computer for advanced computing features and functions, including displaying and recording weight data.  A label, paper, and card printer may also be attached.  They are used in postal services, shipping and receiving centers, as well as the food and restaurant industry.

In an age where constant email checking is becoming a necessity, Wi-Fi is all the rage. Besides being important in the home and the office, it is found in airports, at train stations, and on moving buses. Now, it is also found in industrial scales.

A few higher-quality electronic scale manufacturers, such as Arlyn Scales, are now providing wi-fi connectivity as an option in much of their industrial scale lines. Previous to wireless, there were several methods for linking digital platform scales, bench scales, and floor scales to computers. RS-232 allows one scale to be linked to a computer. RS-485 allows several electronic scales at a time to be linked to a computer. For both of these protocols, RS-232 and RS-485 to USB converters are available. In these cases, the computer linkage can be used to store precise digital weight information in databases and spreadsheets.

More recently, Ethernet connectivity has become a common protocol for connecting digital scales into a Local Area Network. Besides allowing an industrial scale to be controlled and monitored from any computer on the network, this method also allows access to a scale controller from anywhere in the world, over the internet. Arlyn Scales even provides Remote Indicator software with its network electronic scales, which can read scale information on any computer with internet access.

RS-232, RS-485, and Ethernet all pose one typical difficulty-they require cabling. Often, an industrial scale may be found on a factory work floor that is several hundred feet away from a monitoring room or office. Particularly with RS-232 and RS-485, cabling becomes very expensive. Ethernet is much more commonly found built into many modern buildings for the purpose of having a Local Access Network, so very often, a building does not have to be retrofitted. Wireless connectivity, however, has the same benefits as Ethernet, when built into industrial scales, without requiring the cabling. Electronic scales can still be accessed from any computer on the network as well as from any computer in the world using the Remote Indicator software.

Aggregates are everywhere we look in the world around us. These materials, which are made up of an aggregate of different other materials, including various types of stones, clay, silt, and sand, include the asphalt that paves our roads, the concrete that is used for the foundations of our skyscrapers, or the cement that makes up the bricks of our homes. There is no single aggregate-each one is made differently for a different purpose. One aggregate that uses a certain mixture of stones, silt, and petroleum-based binding may have very different characteristics than one that uses another mixture of pebbles, clay, and a different binding. One aggregate may be more suitable for roads while another may be more suitable for sidewalks.

On any construction site, construction managers must ensure that the aggregate they are using, whether concrete or asphalt, meets the specifications necessary for the job. Therefore, at set intervals of time, the team must carry out a compositional analysis of the aggregate. The aggregate is poured into a sieve with large holes that will only block the largest pieces of stone from falling through. Following this, it is poured into sieves with consecutively smaller and smaller holes until each component of the aggregate is in its own sieve. Then, the sieves and their contents must be weighed with an electronic scale. The total percentage of each material is calculated and compared with the necessary standards.

It is necessary to measure the composition of each aggregate very accurately. This becomes particularly difficult when each component may weigh up to 100 pounds. A standard digital scale may only be able to weigh each component to .01 pounds, which is not precise enough. One scale company, Arlyn Scales, has developed ultra-precision electronic scales that use Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology for aggregate testing. These industrial scales are rugged enough to withstand the force of aggregate components while being able to weigh each component to .001 pounds.

Recycling programs have become widespread in many industries for several different reasons. Economically, it is extremely viable for companies to sell any unused materials, including steel, iron, glass, plastic, rubber, wood, paper, and precious metals, to recycling companies. Environmentally, any products that are reused rather than placed in landfills help protect valuable land and nature. Legally, it is becoming more and more common for states and municipalities to pass legislation required industrial entities to create these recycling programs.

When recycled products are brought to recycling plants, these plants must first sort out the different products, and then must weigh them in order to determine how much to pay the donator. Digital platform scales are ideal for weighing this recycled material. These digital scales usually have a capacity of about 1000 pounds, which is a reasonable capacity for the expected loads in a recycling plant. They can range in sizes. Arlyn Scales platform scales are offered in a 20″x27″ size for smaller packages of recycled material, a 36″x36″ size for larger boxes, and a 48″x48″ size for large loads. In addition, these scales are only 1 7/8″ high which make for easy loading and unloading.

Recycling plants may have a corrosive environment that can damage the electrical platform scales. Corrosion resistant scales are beneficial. Therefore, it is often necessary to make the scale components out of materials that won’t corrode. High quality scale manufacturers, like Arlyn Scales, make their load cells out of a special stainless steel alloy. While this alloy is more difficult to machine than steel or aluminum, which is found in lower-quality scales, it is much more resistant to corrosive materials. In addition, stainless steel load cells are more resistant to bending that occurs when they are exposed to heavy shock loads. In recycling plants, where forklifts are often used to place heavy loads on the industrial scale, this extra strength is extremely important.

Although the internet is becoming the media of choice for sending out advertisements and bulk mailings, traditional postal service is still often used to send out advertising fliers, glossy postcards, or product samples. When a company chooses to send out a bulk mailing, it can pay a special bulk postage rate to the United States Postal Service. However, in order to get this special price, the company has certain responsibilities. It must sort the mail according to postal rules, report the weight of one single piece of mail and a batch of mail, and then report the total number of pieces that are being sent out.

Digital parts counting scales are the perfect solution to a business’s mailing needs. This electronic scale first calculates the weight of each piece of mail. The operator places a known number of pieces on the scale and enters the number of pieces that are being weighed. This industrial scale then divides the total weight by the number of pieces to calculate a piece weight. The scale is then switched into counting mode. When all of the pieces of mail are placed on it, the electronic scale divides the total weight by the weight of a single piece to calculate the total number of pieces being mailed.

When sending out particularly large bulk mailings, it is important to have a scale that has a large capacity while also having a high enough resolution to be able to accurately determine the weight of one single piece of mail. Ultra-precision SAW scales, a new technology developed and manufactured by Arlyn Scales, are a good example of a large-capacity, high resolution digital scale. A SAW scale with a 100 lb. capacity has a resolution of .001, allowing for a very precise count of a very large number of pieces of mail.

It is amazing how much laundry there is. We may generally only consider the dirty clothes produced by a family, at home. But there is actually a huge amount of laundry produced institutionally and commercially. Restaurants must launder their table cloths, napkins, and kitchen and server outfits. Although hospitals use many disposable items, they still require commercial washing of their bed linens and many other items. Hotels have a daily need to wash towels, sheets, items from their food facilities, and uniforms. These needs are repeated by many other institutions, schools and companies.

The weight of the laundry must be determined. For the best levels of efficiency, washing machines should be loaded with the correct weight. If they are underfilled, more loads will be required. This causes increased costs, and increased burdens on the environment in terms of water and energy usage. If they are overfilled, the machines may be unable to properly clean the clothes. It may also damage them.

Industrial scales are useful for weighing the laundry. Often, laundry carts are used. These may be rolled onto platform scales. Arlyn Scales manufactures a line of platform scales with a very low profile platform, making it much easier to roll the carts on and off. These electronic scales are built from aluminum, so the water and detergents that are present will not cause corrosion. The load sensors are made from a special type of stainless steel, which are also resistant from water. Furthermore, this type of load cell is much more resistant to damage that can be caused by overload or shock loading. If a laundry cart hits the laundry scale from the side, standard types of electronic scales may sustain damage. An additional feature of this laundry scale is a digital readout with over size numbers. It is easy to obtain an accurate weight reading, even if the scale operator is not standing right next to the digital scale.

Wherever special chemicals, liquids, gases or cryogenic materials are used within an industrial process, there are large cylinders and dewars that are required to hold these materials. Many manufacturing facilities can house quantities of these types of containers. Others may only have one or two, but they may be critical to their operations.

Both the larger and smaller operations can run into significant problems if the materials become depleted. Therefore it is important to keep track of the amount of remaining material. Different types of instruments may be used for this purpose. In some cases, a liquid level tube will be sufficient. In other cases, a float device may be able to indicate the height of the contents within the container. But the most accurate and reliable method is to weigh the container and the contents.

Large floor scales are available for this purpose. These industrial scales are produced in a wide variety of different sizes. There is even one company, Arlyn Scales, that will manufacture a custom scale to any size required. Electronic scales display the weight of the contents on a digital indicator, which usually has the ability to subtract the tare weight of the container. Some digital scales also provide the ability to transfer these weight values into a computer system where they may be recorded for data analysis purposes.

The materials that are being weighed may have different corrosive characteristics. Arlyn Scales offers electronic scales from a variety of different materials. Whereas painted steel is usually the industry standard for floor scales, they coat the scale with a special protective epoxy. For more severe environments, they offer floor scales made from aluminum or even stainless steel. In all of these cases, the actual weight sensor is made from a high grade alloy of stainless steel. These provide years of trouble free use.

Evolution has engineered all animals to seek nutrition to sustain themselves. Because sources of nutrition may become available only very intermittently, many animals will try to eat as much as possible when there is food in order to sustain themselves until the next time that food is once again available. We human beings are only too aware that in many places, plentiful, high calorie food sources are available whenever they are wanted. This can often lead to overeating with the result of becoming overweight. As we have learned, obesity is the root cause of a wide variety of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and decreased mobility, among others.

Many zoo animals can acquire these same problems. In the wild, most animals must work very hard in order to sustain themselves. Herbivores must constantly be looking for forage while avoiding predators. The predators expend huge amounts of energy hunting for their food, generally only encountering success for some fraction of their efforts. A zoo environment is very different. Food is delivered to the animals with little energy expenditure on their part. If not monitored, this can lead to overweight issues and health problems.

Zoo personnel rely on a variety of industrial scales to weigh their animals. Small bench scales are appropriate for many birds and reptiles. These provide accurate weights in small decimals of a pound, up to 50 pounds or more. Large animals are weighed on standard platform scales, or special animal scales, manufactured by Arlyn Scales specifically for this purpose. These veterinary scales have a very low profile platform, easing the task of leading the animal onto the scale. Special software determines an accurate animal weight, even if it will not stand still. The active weighing devices built into the scale, known as load cells, are fabricated from stainless steel. These assure that the animal scale will be rugged and resistant to damage from liquids and other materials.

The most important goal in commercial aviation is the safety of passengers and crew. Tremendous efforts are made to assure that aircraft are built safely. Critical functions are provided with redundancy, to avoid disaster when there is some mechanical failure. Engines are designed to work well beyond their rated specifications, both in terms of power and environment. Navigation devices provide a variety of fail safe functions, allowing pilots to obtain necessary flight information.

Of course, any aircraft is designed for a specific capacity. It should never be loaded beyond this point. This includes the weight of passengers, luggage and fuel. Larger aircraft are typically limited by the number of passenger seats. Statistical data provides the average weight of a single passenger and their luggage. The correct amount of fuel needed can then be calculated. But statistical data becomes in issue for much smaller aircraft. If there are only six passenger seats, it is always possible that each of the passengers, and the pilot, may be considerably lighter than average. This would allow the plane to carry more cargo, or require less fuel. On the other hand, they may be much heavier than average. This could result in an exceedingly dangerous situation where the plane was carrying more than it was designed for.

Industrial scales, such as those provided by Arlyn Scales, are being pressed into service to obtain actual accurate weights of the passengers, luggage and crew. These platform scales provide resolution as high as 1/10 of a pound. The electronic scales may transmit their data to a computer system for totals and record purposes. These digital scales are light in weight, but very rugged. It is easy to move the platform scale to a loading area, and then move it back to the cargo area, if necessary. Industrial scales can become a critical tool in the efforts to maintain the highest levels of safety.