Bench Scales

Industrial bench scales provide a compact weighing station for containers, ingredients, parcels, components and production samples. A user-friendly bench scale should do more than display a weight. It should fit the load, present the necessary functions clearly, position the indicator where the operator can use it and move data into the required workflow without unnecessary manual steps.

Arlyn bench scales are available in standard strain-gauge, higher-readability, Ultra Precision and intrinsically safe configurations. The appropriate model depends on capacity, required measurement performance, environment and integration requirements.

What Is an Industrial Bench Scale?

A bench scale is a compact industrial weighing system intended for use on a workbench, table, stand or other suitable support. It generally includes:

• A weighing platform
• A frame and load cell
• Adjustable feet
• A digital indicator
• Power and communication connections

Bench scales are commonly used for:

• Ingredient and formulation weighing
• Packaging and shipping
• Container filling
• Parts counting
• Inventory verification
• Quality-control sampling
• Checkweighing
• Batch preparation
• Laboratory and production measurements

The compact format makes a bench scale useful at individual workstations, but the scale must still be selected for industrial loading, environmental and measurement requirements.

What Makes a Bench Scale User-Friendly?

Ease of use is not determined by one feature. It results from matching the scale to the operator and process.

Choose the Correct Bench Scale Capacity

Maximum capacity must include everything placed on the scale, not only the product.

Calculate:

• Maximum product or ingredient weight
• Container, tray or fixture tare weight
• Any tools or supports resting on the platform
• Reasonable variation in normal operation

A container weighing 8 pounds and holding 40 pounds of product creates a 48-pound gross load. The scale must support the complete load even if the operator uses tare to display only the net product weight.

Do not select excessive capacity without a defined need. Higher capacity may provide coarser displayed increments than a lower-capacity model.

Select Resolution for the Actual Process

The smallest displayed increment should be fine enough for the decision the operator must make.

Ask:

• What is the smallest weight change that affects the product or process?
• What tolerance must be maintained?
• What is the cost of adding too much or too little material?
• Does the scale need to distinguish the weight of one small part?
• Will drafts, vibration or temperature changes affect sensitive measurements?

More displayed decimal places do not automatically improve the result. Measurement technology, calibration, installation and environmental stability must also support the required performance.

Compare Arlyn Bench Scale Configurations

Standard Bench Scales for Routine Industrial Work

A standard strain-gauge bench scale is suitable for many applications, including:

• Receiving checks
• Packaging and shipping
• General ingredient weighing
• Container filling
• Production sampling
• Routine inventory checks

Standard models should be the starting point when their capacity, resolution and accuracy already satisfy the process. Additional sensitivity does not create value when it does not affect a production, inventory or quality decision.

View current industrial bench-scale models and configurations.

Ultra Precision Bench Scales for Finer Measurements

An Ultra Precision bench scale should be considered when a standard model cannot provide sufficiently fine measurement performance at the required capacity.

Possible applications include:

• Closely controlled formulations
• High-value material additions
• Small-component counting
• Quality-control measurements
• Pharmaceutical and chemical processes
• Research and product development

Ultra Precision technology should be selected from the documented process requirement, not from a general preference for more decimal places.

Environmental conditions become increasingly important as measurements become more sensitive. Vibration, drafts, mounting, temperature changes and operator technique can affect real-world performance.

Compare current Ultra Precision scale models when standard bench-scale performance is insufficient.

Intrinsically Safe Bench Scales for Hazardous Locations

Facilities containing potentially flammable gases, vapors, dusts or fibers may require approved intrinsically safe weighing equipment.

An ordinary bench scale must not be used in a classified location simply because its capacity and platform dimensions fit the load.

Before selecting an ArlynGuard B configuration, confirm:

• Hazardous-location class
• Division or zone
• Material group
• Required power arrangement
• Location of indicators and connected equipment
• Required communication and control functions

The scale, indicator, power components and connections must be evaluated as a complete approved system.

Review intrinsically safe scale configurations for classified environments.

Choose a Platform That Supports the Load

The weighing platform must support the container or item securely without allowing it to touch the indicator, workbench, wall or nearby equipment.

Measure:

• Load length and width
• Location of feet or contact points
• Center of gravity
• Expected overhang
• Clearance around the workstation

An object may overhang the platform if it remains stable, transfers its full weight through the scale and does not contact another surface. A larger or custom platform may be appropriate when normal loads cannot be positioned consistently.

Indicator Placement Affects Ease of Use

Containers, bags and boxes can obscure an indicator mounted too close to the platform. The operator should be able to view and use the display without reaching over the load or working in an awkward position.

Depending on the selected configuration, the indicator may be:

• Mounted on an arm
• Connected by a remote cable
• Positioned on a nearby work surface
• Mounted to a wall or stand

Also consider:

• Operator height and reach
• Viewing distance
• Lighting and glare
• Glove use
• Cleaning requirements
• Protection from spills and impacts

A properly positioned basic indicator may be easier to use than a more advanced interface placed poorly.

MKE-5 or UpScale Touchscreen?

The indicator should match the workflow.

Tare Functions Simplify Container Weighing

Tare removes the displayed weight of a container, tray or fixture so the operator can view the net weight of the material.

A typical process is:

1. Place the empty container on the scale.
2. Allow the reading to stabilize.
3. Apply tare.
4. Add the product or material.
5. Record or act on the displayed net weight.

Stored tare values can simplify repeated work with known containers. The organization should control how these values are created, identified and updated so an incorrect tare is not applied to the wrong container.

Parts Counting on a Bench Scale

A compatible bench scale can estimate the number of substantially identical pieces by dividing net weight by an established average piece weight.

Counting accuracy depends on:

• Consistency of individual parts
• Representative sample size
• Correct container tare
• Scale resolution relative to piece weight
• Total batch size

Light or high-value parts may justify an Ultra Precision configuration. Counting by weight verifies quantity efficiently, but it does not inspect each component for identity or quality.

Checkweighing, Filling and Set-Point Functions

Bench scales may support workflows in which weight is compared with a target or used to operate other equipment.

Applications can include:

• Accepting or rejecting a package by weight
• Filling containers to a target
• Generating underweight or overweight alerts
• Starting or stopping a feeder
• Operating a pump or valve
• Supporting batching and mixing

Define the target, tolerance, output, controlled equipment and fail-safe behavior before ordering. A standard scale output should be incorporated into an appropriately engineered control system.

Connect Bench Scales to Computers, Printers and PLCs

Electronic data transfer can improve ease of use by eliminating handwritten records and repeated typing.

Depending on the scale and indicator, available options may include:

• RS-232
• RS-422 or RS-485
• USB communication
• Ethernet TCP/IP
• Wireless TCP/IP
• Analog output
• Industrial protocols with compatible UpScale configurations
• USB data logging
• Printing and barcode functions
• Cloud and spreadsheet integration

Before selecting an interface, document the receiving device, protocol, data format and operator trigger. A connector alone does not guarantee compatibility.

Review current scale options and communication methods.

Select Construction for the Environment

A bench scale used in a clean shipping department does not face the same conditions as one used around chemicals, moisture or repeated cleaning.

Document:

• Water and condensation
• Washdown or cleaning procedures
• Chemical names and concentrations
• Temperature range
• Dust and debris
• Impact and overload risk
• Hazardous-location classification

A stainless steel platform does not automatically make the complete scale washdown-rated, sanitary, corrosion-proof or intrinsically safe. The frame, load cell, indicator, cables, connectors and enclosure must also be suitable for the environment.

Place the Bench Scale on a Suitable Surface

Even a correctly specified scale can perform poorly when installed incorrectly.

Use a support surface that is:

• Stable
• Level
• Rigid enough for the complete load
• Free from contact with adjacent equipment
• Away from unnecessary vibration

For sensitive measurements, also consider drafts, fans, doors, temperature changes and nearby machinery. Check the scale after relocation or changes to the workstation.

Bench Scale Selection Checklist

Provide the following information when selecting a bench scale:

• Minimum and maximum gross load
• Container or fixture tare weight
• Required displayed increment and process tolerance
• Load dimensions and contact points
• Available bench or stand space
• Operating environment
• Indicator mounting preference
• Required tare, counting or checkweighing functions
• Computer, printer, PLC or network connection
• Set-point or automation requirements
• Power and portability requirements
• Quantity and delivery location

Choose an Industrial Bench Scale That Operators Can Use Confidently

A user-friendly bench scale is one that makes the required measurement clear, repeatable and easy to act upon.

The best configuration may be a standard Series 6200 scale with an MKE-5 indicator. A tighter-tolerance process may require Ultra Precision technology. A more complex workflow may justify the UpScale touchscreen, electronic data collection or set-point control. Hazardous locations require a separately approved intrinsically safe configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions