For any business that deals in weigh scales, truck scales or counting scales for their day-to-day functioning. Whether it’s a vehicle scale, industrial floor scale, counting scale, or even a crane scale, it’s an integral part of your business and it’s important to know certain technical terms being used in the industry.
Our goal at Active Scale is to help you become more informed on the most important features and details of our weigh scale or truck scale products. If you have any questions, call us toll-free at 1-866-284-2223
1. Accuracy
Accuracy is the degree to which a measurement relates to its actual (true) value. The accuracy of a weighing device depends on several factors including readability, calibration, and the surrounding environment. When properly calibrated, most weigh scales should be accurate to within ±2 divisions (or digits).
Another thing to remember is that the accuracy of a measuring device is not the same as its precision which is also called repeatability.
2. Weighing scale
A weighing scale is a device that is used to determine weight. Weighing scales can be divided into two primary types: spring scales and balances.
Spring scales measure weight using Hooke’s Law, which deforms in proportion to the weight placed on the load-receiving end.
Balances are the oldest type of weighing device and measure weight using the principle of the lever.
3. Calibration
Comparing and adjusting a measuring instrument to a defined reference point or standard unit of measure to a known mass is considered as calibration.
Calibration is supercritical to accuracy, as all weighing instruments are affected by local gravity.
How often should you calibrate a scale? It is based on the role of the scale. With the more critical the scale or balance is to an operation, the more often it should be calibrated, as well as how harsh the environment is on the scale.
4. Check to weigh
Check to weigh is used for checking product weights for uniformity or for creating equal portions of a product. The most common applications include food and another packaging, filling and quality control checks. It is displaying the weight of an object as it relates to an acceptance range.
5. Indicator
An indicator is a device that shows the weight by converting the original weight signal from a machine to a form of display, regardless of its location.
6. Load cells
A load cell is a transducer that translates downward force into a proportional electrical signal, which is then converted and adjusted by hardware and software to display weight on an indicating element.
7. Mass
Mass is defined as a physical property of a material. The mass gives a material weight when gravity pulls the material toward the earth. The common units of mass are gram and kilogram.
Also, the terms mass and weight are commonly used interchangeably.
8. Scale
The terms scale and balance are mostly used interchangeably. Before, a scale was a device that displayed weight by measuring a deflection, such as a spring scale.
Whereas, in modern weighing machines scales are usually using springs or strain gauge load cells.
9. Weighing units
The balance is set to display the weight of an unknown mass in various weighing units such as Grams, Kilograms, Milligrams, Pounds, Ounces, Carats, Grains, Newtons, etc.
10. Weight
The weight of an object is the result of gravity pulling a mass toward earth. When a balance has been calibrated using a known mass then any unknown mass placed upon the scale will have a weight proportional to the known mass.
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