Our society reaps the benefits from the in-depth research that is undertaken in the university setting. Without some of the financial stress and the pressures of time constraints, university research funding goes a long way.
Some of the brightest minds are in the process of discovering cures for diseases that were heretofore untreatable. The team at Arlyn Scales understands that, in these research laboratories, it’s imperative to use scales that produce the highest level of weight accuracy, and consistently.
At the same time, university laboratory and classroom settings also require the presence of weighing devices capable of measuring a variety of objects and types of substances. Find precise and reliable lab scales, here; then, continue reading to learn more about the value these metrology solutions provide diverse industries.
Standard Industrial Scale Options and Technology
In university-level physics classes, students are oftentimes tasked with determining the exact measurement of weight or mass pertaining to various objects. In university-level chemistry courses, students and professors are frequently found measuring or weighing chemical substances before using them in experiments or mixtures.
Until recently, universities had two options for high-quality, accurate, and long-lasting scales: Strain Gage or Magnetic Force Restoration (MFR) scales. Unfortunately, and as you might have guessed, each choice has its faults.
Strain Gage Scales
Strain Gage scale technology functions by measuring the mechanical strain on an object or structure. Because of the materials used in its construction, these scales are subject to temperature variables, moisture, and shock load damage.
Moreover, Strain Gage scales measure weight initially using an analog signal, which must then be converted to a digital signal before displaying the weight reading to the scale user. This conversion process limits the accuracy and sensitivity of the measurements determined by Strain Gage scales.
Magnetic Force Restoration Scales
Magnetic Force Restoration (MFR) also known as Force Motor scales function through the use of an electromagnet. As the load is placed on the scale, the amount of electrical current needed to support the load platform is measured, which subsequently allows the measurement of the load to be determined.
In order to circumvent the effect of temperature changes on the accuracy of the reading, these scales are manufactured with an inner-calibration mass device.
The sensitivity to temperature fluctuations requires that re-calibration is performed often. The addition of this calibration device adds cost to what is already an expensive proposition.
MFR Scales: Extreme Precision with a High Price Tag
While Strain Gage scales can be damaged easily and are not the most accurate scale option, Magnetic Force Restoration scales provide extremely precise results. However, MFR scales are immensely expensive, require frequent re-calibration, and generally, do not have maximum capacities exceeding 50 pounds.
A Better Option: The Discovery of Surface Acoustic Waves
Small in weight and size, SAW sensors have been discovered to be suitable in harsh environments, as they are not significantly affected by temperature changes. They are inexpensive, highly reliable, and their methods of construction are environmentally friendly.
What Does SAW Technology Mean For Universities?
When determining the level of quality an industrial scale is, scale manufacturers use 3 terms:
- Resolution: the number of digits a scale is capable of weighing accurately.
- Accuracy: how close a scale is capable of measuring to the true weight of an object, expressed as a fraction of a percentage.
- Readability: specifies the total number of increments the scale is able to determine, expressed as parts of a whole, and calculated by dividing a scale’s maximum capacity.
Higher-quality scales boast a better number in each of these areas.
Weighing Solutions for Universities from Arlyn Scales
At Arlyn Scales, we design and manufacture a range of industrial scales suitable for a variety of educational purposes and environments including:
- Bench Scales
- Drum Scales
- Digital Scales
- Intrinsically Safe Scales
- Ultra Precision Scales
Bench Scales
Bench scales are meant to be used on a bench, table, or countertop surface. They are the ideal weighing device for weighing parcels or counting many small parts. Bench scales can also be used to mix ingredients to the correct ratios.
Drum Scales
Drum scales are useful for monitoring the weight of liquid chemicals.
Digital Scales
Digital scales display weight readings in a digital format, which makes gathering weight data quicker and simpler for the scale user.
Intrinsically Safe Scales
Intrinsically safe scales were designed for hazardous and corrosive environments.
At Arlyn Scales, we manufacture a line of ArlynGuard scales capable of withstanding a range of hazardous area classes, divisions, and groups.
Our ArlynGuard bench, cylinder, platform, and floor scales feature heat-treated stainless steel load cells and have internal resolutions of 1 part of 500,000.
Ultra Precision Scales
Ultra Precision Scales deliver results that are 20-times more advanced and 10-time more accurate than standard Strain Gage scales.
Ultra Precision Scales with a capacity of 500 pounds have a resolution of .005 pounds, readability of 1 part in 100,000, and accuracy of 1/100 of 1% or +/- .01%.
Moreover, Ultra Precision Scales helps protect the scales from shock and overloading.
Why are Ultra Precision Scales Perfect for Universities?
Ultra Precision Scales are a great option for university-level classroom and laboratory settings because they are accurate, affordable, and long-lasting. Manufactured from high-quality materials and utilizing the most advanced weighing technology, professors and students can count on Arlyn Scales’ Ultra Precision Scales.
Our scales arrive at your door pre-calibrated and rarely require recalibration.
Each scale features a zero button, which allows users to deduct the weight of containers and determine the true weight of an object or substance. Large LCD displays are featured on every scale, too, which means users can easily read weight values quickly.
All of our scales are capable of being connected to various communication options, such as Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, or RS-232. RS-232 allows users to transmit data from one workstation to another or to printers.
Add-on communication capabilities allow users to keep track of and analyze all of the data a scale collects.
Readability of Weight Loads
For the extra sensitive mixing and batching of extremely small particulates, we offer scales with capacities in 120 grams, 300 grams, 1000 grams, and 4500 grams. Our readability rating for these highly precise scales is in microgram increments, which allows for ultimate, absolutely precise weight measurements.
Additionally, we design and manufacture scales right on our own premises. This means that we can also customize the capacity to your specifications enabling you to deduce an even higher readability rate.
Output Options
Our High Precision scales are designed with a large LCD display with which you can easily toggle back and forth between weight units and parts counting and check weighing functions.
Included is a zero button enabling you to deduct the weight of your container thereby enabling you to determine the substance’s true weight. Through the RS 232 protocol, you will be able to transmit data from one workstation to another or to printers and programmable logic controllers.
Our RS-232 option is bi-directional, allowing the scale’s indicator to send data and receive commands from computers and PLCs. This option gives you full remote capability.
Find the Best Scale for Your School Lab at Arlyn Scales
At Arlyn Scales, our team of design engineers has covered a lot of ground in regards to incorporating all the needs that may arise in research laboratories and classrooms settings.
From precision to ease of use and dependability, you may rest assured your best interests are our top priority. Directly manufacturing our subscale components gives us the capacity to pass the savings onto our customers.
You’ll also find our pricing structure to be easy on your budget. To find the best weighing solutions for your university or school laboratory, reach out to our team today.
