How Does a Counting Scale Work?

Imagine having to do a stock check by hand, and you have thousands of components to count in your store. A lot of precious hours will be wasted just on counting the components and miss out on making money for the business. This is where counting scales come in to save the day.

Before we get into the functioning of a counting scale, we should first understand what a counting scale is.

What is a counting scale?

A counting scale can save you time and money when it comes to inventory control. It can be used to count and weigh objects simultaneously. When counting thousands of pieces or parts, accuracy is a key component that cannot be compromised.

A typical application of a counting scale can be check weighing, for checking the weight of objects against a pre-set limit to performing accurate parts counting before doing manual counting.

They have additional features to take sample weights of uniform objects, calculate the average piece of weight, and determine a total count on either the local platform or remote bulk platform.

These scales come in a variety of sizes that can be used on a worktop bench or the floor. They are ideal for quality control centers, retail warehouses, production facilities, and factory environments.

How does a counting scale work?

As suggested, counting scales not only weigh but also count the number of pieces placed on the scale. It does this by using a sample weight (either a single piece or a value you enter yourself through the keypad) and dividing the total weight by the weight of the sample.

For example, let’s assume you are trying to find out the total number (N) of screws. You will first measure the weight of a single screw (let’s assume it as 5 grams) and input its data into the scale. Then, you will measure the weight of the “N” number of screws together.

Now, divide the total weight (X) of all the screws by the weight of a single screw (5g). This is how it should look like on paper:

1 screw = 5 g (assumed weight)

Total weight = X = 100g (assumed weight)

N = X/5 =>N = 20 screws.

From the above equation, we get the total numbers (N) of screws as 20.

How useful are the counting scales?

Counting scales are quite common in quality assurance departments and retail distribution warehouses for checking the number of pieces in a lot before being approved for dispatch.

In addition to this, other manufacturing businesses like printers, CD manufacturers, metal workers and plumbing supply companies use counting scale.

For example, printer manufacturing companies can count the number of charge rollers that they have left in the box instead of counting them manually. Counting scales can also be used to count the remaining coins or tokens when closing a store.

Counting scales allow you to not only check the number of pieces in a lot but also to create lots that always have the right amount of material, and are perfect for counting a large amount of the same material. The primary benefit of owning a counting scale is saving money and time.

What is the difference between internal resolution vs display resolution?

• Display Resolution 

To put it simply, it is the smallest number that the display of the scale can show. Usually, it’s called readability.

For example, if the readability of a scale is only 0.1g, it will not show the weight of something that weighs 0.0040 g.

In mathematical terms, the display resolution is the ratio of capacity to readability.

• Internal Resolution

Internal resolution refers to the number of pieces that the scale’s full capacity can be divided into. It’s a ratio of scale’s capacity to the weight of the lightest part it can count.

In simple terms, internal resolution means the scale’s ability to convert the physical signals coming from the sample’s mass into the digital output on the screen of the scale.

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In the end, it is vital to consider the needs and requirements of your business before purchasing the right weighing scale.

Don’t hesitate to contact Active Scale for more information on counting scales, and we will be happy to help you pick the best counting scale as per your business needs.