Small Digital Scales

Small digital scales are used in a wide variety of industries, ranging from food to meteorology.   Two basic considerations must be made in selecting a scale for use in a particular industry: weight capacity and resolution.  “Resolution” refers to the precision, or the smallest unit measurable by the scale.  Generally, higher-capacity scales have lower resolutions than scales with lower capacities. Therefore, it is important to choose a scale with the appropriate capacity range.  Most digital scales enable toggling between different units of measurement.  Other important features to look for are accuracy and durability.  Most digital scales have automatic calibrating modes.  They often use metal strain gauge load cells, although newer technologies such as Surface Acoustic Wave, are available from arlynscales.com.  For durability, many small digital scales are made of a non-corrosive metal such as stainless steel.  Any additional features should be considered with regard to the intended use of the scale.

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.