Precisions scales have a wide range of applications. Finding the right one is a matter of understanding which features meet your needs. Here’s what you should keep in mind when selecting a digital precision scale.

Measurement units

The first thing to consider is whether you’ll need a scale that uses specialized units such as carats or grains. Determining which units you’ll need to use is a good starting point, as it’ll allow you to narrow down your selection. You should also factor in whether you’re likely to expand your scale’s applications in the long run.

Capacity

Determining the maximum weight the scale needs to handle is another way to narrow down your options. If you need to weigh bulk or large quantities — for instance, in commercial applications — you’ll need to select a scale with a higher capacity. It’s also important to consider the size of the materials you’ll be weighing, to make sure you select a scale with a large enough plate.

Accuracy and precision

Applications requiring high accuracy typically won’t need as much capacity. Weighing medical products or working in a laboratory setting will necessitate a highly accurate scale that can take exact measurements.

Some applications will also require a scale that’s highly precise. In this case, precision refers to how consistent a scale’s readout is, whereas accuracy refers to how closely the readout matches the actual weight of the object. Keep in mind that regulations apply to the accuracy of scales used for commercial applications.

Size and portability

Some scales need to be portable, especially when used for field work. However, since a host of environmental factors influence a scale’s accuracy, it’s important to make sure that portable models are recalibrated whenever they’re moved.

It’s also important to consider how the scale is powered. If you’ll need to use it in situations where you don’t have access to a power source, then selecting one with appropriate battery life is crucial.

Other features

Depending on the materials you work with and the measurements you need to perform, you may have to select a scale that can keep a record of measurements or enables recipe weighting or piece counting. Modern digital scales are versatile, but always keep in mind that there’s a trade-off between functionalities.

Scale experts in Calgary

Selecting the right precision scale is easier with the help of a professional. You can count on Accurate/Western Scale for reliable advice. Contact us today to get a free quote or to learn more about our services, including scale rental and repair.

A lift truck scale requires a substantial investment, but it’s a smart one. Despite higher upfront costs, they have numerous advantages over traditional floor scales. Here’s why your business might benefit from one.

You have limited floor space
If you’re a new or growing company, every bit of space is valuable. Even if you can dedicate some of your available footage to a floor scale, the traffic lanes used to access it will take up a lot more space than you may be able to truly afford. Switching to a lift truck scale will free up these lanes, allowing for more efficient use of your space.

You need to increase efficiency
Many businesses need to weigh materials and integrating the weighing step into the normal workflow instead of requiring the time-consuming diversions needed with floor scales can drastically improve efficiency. A material handling scale allows for weights to be taken during normal operations, which speeds up completion times.

You want a leaner operation
Because they reduce the number of steps involved in operations and reduce resource and space usage, lift truck scales are a smart investment for companies looking to streamline their operations. Increased efficiency and lower resource use translate to higher profit margins.

You want to reduce traffic
Heavy lift truck traffic reduces efficiency, increases costs and, most importantly, can pose serious safety issues. Floor scales directly contribute to this problem by requiring drivers to make unnecessary trips.

You want to keep your employees safe
Industries that use lift trucks often work with pallets. Equipping your trucks with scales will reduce the risk of overloaded pallet racking. Overloading the racking can compromise its structural integrity, leading to extremely costly accidents and severe or fatal injuries.

Equipping lift trucks with material handling scales ensures that workers know exactly how much weight is being put on the racking. It also eliminates the need for trips to the floor scale, which are time-consuming.

Industrial and commercial weighing solutions
Every business is different and choosing the right lift truck scale requires the help of an experienced professional. For all your industrial and commercial scale needs, trust Accurate/Western Scale. We’re accredited by Measurement Canada to perform regulation scale calibration and with 21 years of experience in the industry, you can rely on us to help with everything from installation to repairs. Contact us today to discuss your business’ needs or to learn more about the scales we offer.

When you use scales as part of your business operations, they need to be certified as “legal for trade” to show that they meet the requirements for professional weighing equipment put in place by Measurement Canada. Authorized scale inspectors like Accurate/Western Scale can certify your scales for you and get your equipment up to standard so you can be sure that it gives accurate measurements. Keep reading to learn about the importance of certifying your scales.

Why do scales need to be certified?

Scale certification ensures that weighing equipment used in trade are properly calibrated and held to the same standards so as to put the businesses that use them on an equal playing field. Federal measurement regulations are essential for creating a marketplace that’s fair to producers, merchants and consumers alike. Measurement Canada is the government agency in charge of administering the regulations set out in the Weights and Measures Act, defining units of measurements, developing specifications for trade devices and conducting scale inspections.

Having certified scales is good for your business because it ensures that you’re getting accurate measurements and aren’t leaving money on the table by listing the wrong weights when selling your products. Overall, the process ensures that buyers and sellers are getting the fairest possible bargain when it comes to exchanging goods that are priced by weight.

If you don’t comply with the Measurement Canada regulations, not only will you risk losing income due to inaccurate measurements but you could also face steep fines and have your business shut down should your company be subject to a government inspection. Such a closure could have serious effects on your business’s revenue, productivity and reputation.

Who can certify your scales?

Your scales can be certified by a representative of Measurement Canada or by a company that the agency has designated an Authorized Service Provider, such as Accurate/Western Scale. As a Measurement Canada accredited company, we have the right to inspect equipment to make sure it adheres to federal regulations. We also service scales and will re-calibrate your device if its measurements are no longer sufficiently accurate. Don’t hesitate to call us if you suspect a problem with your weighing equipment.

Schedule an appointment with authorized scale inspectors

If you’re in need of an Authorized Service Provider to perform scale certifications, get in touch with Accurate/Western Scale. In addition to selling and renting scales, we certify all types of weighing equipment—including truck, hopper, cattle and batching scales—for businesses in Calgary, Lethbridge, Red Deer and across Alberta. To learn more, contact us today.

Counting scales are used to weigh and count objects at the same time. These scales work by weighing a bunch of items together and then determining how many items are in the set by dividing the total weight by the weight of a single item. This allows manufacturers and retailers to check how many units are in a shipment or package without having to count them by hand. Counting scales are commonly used for taking inventory in retail warehouses, quality control centres and bulk food stores.

At Accurate/Western Scale, we offer counting scales that can be used for checking quantities, unit weight, total weight and accumulation data. Here are five factors to consider when choosing a counting scale for your business:

1. Weight capacity
Every counting scale has a weighing range that extends from the smallest weights the model can accurately detect to the largest weight it can safely accommodate. Choose a scale with a weighing range suitable for handling the average size of the loads you’ll be measuring.

2. Level of precision
When choosing your counting scale, think about the scale’s graduation, the size of the increments in which it reports measurements. The smaller the increments, the more precise the scale’s measurements will be. Smaller graduations are important if you’ll be weighing and counting smaller items. At Accurate/Western Scale, our counting scales range in graduation from one kilogram to 0.1 gram.

3. Platter size
You should also consider how big the area of the scale’s platform will need to be. Some counting scales have larger platters than others, so choose one that can accommodate the total number of items you’ll have on the scale at a time.

4. Measuring units
Don’t forget to think about what measuring units you’d like the weights to be reported in. With most of our counting scales, you can choose whether to have the weights reported in pounds or kilograms, depending on your industry’s preference.

5. Additional features
Counting scales are often equipped with extra features such as accumulation memory, remote scale capability and output to a computer or printer. Think about what features would be most likely to improve efficiency and productivity in your business.

Whether you oversee a stockroom, work in quality control or own a small business, Accurate/Western Scale has the right counting scale for you. We sell and rent a wide range of industrial scales— including truck, hopper and cattle scales—to businesses in Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge and throughout Alberta. To learn more about our scales and request a quote, contact us today.

Are you in need of a truck scale system? At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd., we provide customers with state-of-the-art weighing equipment, available for purchase or rental. One of our most popular rental options is axle scales (sometimes called axle pads, jump scales or wheel load scales).

What are axle scales?
Axles scales measure a vehicle’s axle weights, which are the standard metric for determining a truck’s overall weight. A high-quality axle scale can provide a weight that’s accurate to within 0.25%. Their low profile and compatibility with forklifts makes them easy to use and transport. They can be temporarily installed on level asphalt, concrete or compacted gravel.

Axle scales are popular in the farming, mining and trucking industries as well as among a wide range of other companies whose operations involve the transport of heavy materials.

What are axle scales used for?
Here are two of the most common reasons axle scales are used:

1. Avoid risks and fines associated with overweight vehicles One of the main reasons to use axle scales is to avoid overweight fines. Exceeding a vehicle’s maximum axle weight is a punishable offence. It’s also detrimental for several other reasons:

• It can damage the vehicle itself, particularly axles, drive shafts, tires and the steering and braking systems.

• It endangers everyone on the road by hindering a vehicle’s breaking capabilities, decreasing stability and increasing stopping distance.

• It can put undue stress on roads and cause serious and costly damage.

• It causes your vehicle to consume fuel less economically.

• It can void your insurance policy.

2. Increase the efficiency of agricultural operations
Farmers often use axle scales to check weigh inputs in trucks at seeding time or weigh products harvested from the fields before they go to market or the grain bin.

What types of axle weighing solutions are available?
At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd., we offer the following types of axle scales:

• Loadmaster low profile axle scale
This portable scale system is a mere six inches tall and can be installed and made operational within hours. You have the option of using either a single platform to weigh one axle at a time or a multi-platform configuration to weigh entire trucks at once.

• Massload axle pad scale
Fully electronic with a large weigh surface, this scale system is low maintenance and easy to use. The pads are typically sold in pairs but can also be sold in multiples for weighing entire trucks. Its weight measurements are accurate to within 0.25%.

Buying or renting axle scales in Alberta
Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. offers superior quality truck scales to residents of Calgary and Swift Current and people all across Alberta. For further details or to request a quote, contact us today!