Talking scales have even more range when applied to industrial uses. A counting scale for example  features precision counting ability. The “Quick Count” mode lets you easily count parts using a single push of a button. For more complex counting tasks, the menu functions give you the ability to store, and then retrieve the piece weight of as many as 450 different items. With a text to speech addition, inventory could be taken in a fraction of the time it took before as the worker would never have to look up from his task to log his numbers.

Industrial scales often face rugged and harsh conditions. A cylinder scale, for example, may have to support over 250 pounds of a tilted cylinder as liquid is being loaded or taken off the platform. A platform scale may be subject to high shock loads as forklifts loading large pallets inadvertently bump into the side of the scale. It can take every bit of a worker’s concentration to avoid this problem. A talking readout can reduce the stress of the worker, making industrial accidents less likely and the workplace safer for all.

However, one of the best uses for a text to speech option when considering workplace safety is for use with an explosive environment scale. In a case where hazardous materials are in use and the scale is built with four stainless steel load cells embedded in a welded frame for maximum shock and abuse resistance, the business of safety is serious. Workplace hazards can be minimized when the hazardous materials handler can stay completely focused on handling, without needing to watch the digital display.

The bottom line is that humans are fallible, and long series of numbers can become lost or confused when they are just received in one form. The mind often interposes numbers and human error is the main cause of bad data. All human beings learn in different ways. Some humans are auditory learners while others find a visual approach works best for them. The combination of both visual and auditory stimulation has been scientifically proven to decrease the likelihood of error. Scales with an auditory or talking feature can assist disabled workers, aid in employee cooperation and are the best bet in increasing production while eliminating error.

But often, the data must be used at some other location or at some other time. The weight of a package to be shipped may need to be automatically entered into a parcel manifest. Or a label may need to be printed. A record in a database may need to be kept of the number of packages filled by the parts counting scale. The contents in the drum on the drum scale may need to be monitored from a remote location. The doctor may need to keep records of the patients weight for each visit.

An Internet connection is an ideal means for performing all of these functions. Arlyn Scales offers this as an option for all of their industrial scales. This connection may be used specifically within an individual facility. Other computers on the local area network may be given access to any or all of the connected electronic scales. Or, with the proper software, these Arlyn Scales may be viewed, and controlled from any device that has Internet connectivity. This is particularly suitable for larger organizations that may need to collect data from a number of different facilities. It is also especially useful in those situation where there are mandated documentation requirements, as the data can be sent to the appropriate database files.

Factories and warehouses are not known for being kind and gentle with the equipment they are using. This includes their electronic scales. If they are loaded by hand, heavy weights may be dropped directly onto the platform scale. Alternatively, they may be loaded using pallet jacks or forklifts which may bang against the digital scale. It may be necessary to move the platform scale around the factory floor, generally without any consideration for its well being. So it is very important for the industrial scale to be constructed with industrial strength.

The proverbial weak link in any electronic scale are its sensors. These devices are designed to develop an electrical signal that is precisely proportional to the amount of weight on the platform scale. Arlyn Scales produces these sensors from special alloys of stainless steel that are post processed for exceptional strength and ruggedness. Most other digital scales use aluminum or plated steel for their sensors. These are more susceptible to shock load damage.

While the platform scale must be strong, or it will quickly be destroyed, it must also be easy to use, or it will quickly be abandoned. Lifting heavy objects onto a high scale platform is not fun. The lower the profile of the scale, the easier it will be to use. Arlyn Scales takes advantage of the strength of the stainless steel material used to fabricate their sensors by designing a particularly low profile device. They then fabricate pockets directly into the frame of the industrial scale where the sensors are mounted. These two innovations result in a platform scale with one of the lowest profiles available anywhere. This makes them particularly popular with the people who have to lift their products onto or off of the scale platform.