A standard industrial scale can meet many common weighing requirements. Bench scales, platform scales, drum scales, and floor scales are available in established capacities and sizes that work well for most applications.
A standard model may fall short when the product has an unusual shape, the platform must fit existing equipment, the environment requires specialized construction, or the weight data must work with a specific control system.
In these situations, a custom industrial scale can adapt the weighing system to the process. The first decision is whether the application needs a standard scale, a modified standard scale, or a fully custom system.
When do you need a custom industrial scale?
A custom scale may be appropriate when a standard model cannot provide the required platform, load support, capacity, readability, construction, installation arrangement, environmental protection, or connection to the rest of the process.
What Is a Custom Industrial Scale?
A custom industrial scale is a weighing system modified or engineered to meet requirements that are not fully addressed by a standard product.
Customization does not always require a completely new design. Arlyn can often begin with an existing bench, platform, floor, cylinder, crane, or Ultra Precision scale and change only the parts that affect the application. Those changes may involve the platform, capacity, readability, materials, mounting, load-cell arrangement, indicator, or process connection.
Standard, Modified, or Fully Custom Scale?
The most economical solution is normally the least complicated design that fully satisfies the application. Some customers need a standard scale, while others require a modified platform or a fully integrated weighing system.
| Comparison Point | Standard Scale Established model and options |
Modified Standard Scale Existing design with selected changes |
Fully Custom System Engineered around the process |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Uses an established platform size and shape. | May use a different platform size, material, or mounting arrangement. | Designed around an unusual product, vessel, machine, or installation space. |
| Capacity and readability | Selected from standard listed specifications. | Adjusted using a compatible load cell or alternate calibration range. | Engineered for a specialized capacity, sensitivity, or load distribution. |
| Materials | Uses the standard steel, aluminum, or stainless-steel construction. | May substitute stainless steel or add environmental protection. | Material and construction are selected around corrosion, washdown, sanitation, or structural requirements. |
| Data and control | Uses standard indicator and communication options. | Adds a specific output, PLC protocol, printer, or data-logging option. | May include custom software, automated controls, multiple platforms, or integration with existing machinery. |
| Engineering effort | Minimal | Moderate | Application-specific design, review, testing, and documentation |
| Best suited for | Common weighing applications | Applications that nearly fit a standard model | Processes with unique mechanical or integration requirements |
Signs a Standard Scale May Not Be Enough
Consider a modified or custom scale when one or more of these conditions affect the application:
- The load does not fit or sit safely: Cylinders, vessels, suspended products, machinery, and loads with unusual support points may require a purpose-built platform or frame.
- The installation space controls the design: The scale may need to fit beneath equipment, inside a process line, within a floor opening, or around pipes and structural supports.
- Standard capacity and readability do not match the process: The system must support the complete gross load and still display the weight changes that matter.
- The environment requires different construction: Chemical exposure, moisture, sanitation procedures, temperature, and hazardous-location classifications can affect materials and system selection.
- The scale must exchange data or control equipment: A specific indicator, software connection, PLC interface, alarm, relay, valve, pump, or feeder may need to be part of the weighing system.
Mechanical contact also matters. The load must rest entirely on the weighing structure without touching surrounding equipment in a way that bypasses the load cells and changes the reading.
Once these needs are known, the custom scale specification guide explains how to define capacity, readability, construction, installation, and connectivity. The custom scale applications page covers Arlyn’s design capabilities, OEM work, load-cell systems, and project process.
A Chlorine Ton Scale as a Custom-Weighing Example
A chlorine ton cylinder shows why the load and operating environment must guide the scale design. The cylinder is large, horizontal, curved, and used in a corrosive, safety-sensitive process. A conventional flat bench scale does not provide the required support or loading arrangement.
The Arlyn A-TON scale addresses these requirements with:
- A purpose-built frame for horizontal ton cylinders
- Stainless-steel frame and load-cell construction
- Four direct-sensing load cells without mechanical pivots
- A 5,000 lb capacity with 1 lb readability
- Indicator and communication options selected for the required monitoring or control workflow
- A separate ArlynGuard T system when the required hazardous-location classification matches its approved configuration
This example shows the purpose of effective customization: select the mechanical design, materials, capacity, and electronics around the actual weighing process.
Have an unusually shaped product or container?
Send Arlyn Scales the product dimensions, maximum gross weight, photographs or drawings, loading method, available installation space, and the smallest weight change the process must display. Arlyn can determine whether an existing specialty scale, a modified platform, or a custom structure is appropriate.
Move from the Decision to the Specification
After deciding that customization is warranted, define the complete gross load, required readability, acceptable measurement tolerance, product dimensions, loading method, installation space, operating environment, power, and required data or control connection. These details determine whether the project can use a modified standard scale or needs a fully custom system.
Use the Custom Weighing Scales Manufacturer in the USA guide for the full specification process. For application examples, OEM weighing components, custom load-cell systems, and UpScale-based workflows, see Custom Scale Applications.
Start Your Custom Scale Project
Describe what must be weighed, the maximum load, the smallest required weight change, the available installation space, and where the weight data must go. Arlyn Scales can identify the appropriate standard, modified, or custom path.
Call 800-645-4301 to discuss your custom weighing application.
