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!

Hopper scales are mounted on load cells that measure the net weight or content of a product. They can help establish weight of everything from tankers to vessels to ball mills, dispensers, and more. They are perfect for continuous product flow and batches, especially in assembly lines, manufacturing, and grain operations.

The Benefits of Opting for Hopper Scales

Hopper scales are a significant upfront investment, but well worth the cost when you consider the benefits of using them over other weighing options. Some of the benefits include:

1. Indoor and Outdoor Use – You need a scale that can adapt to its environment, which is what makes hopper scales so unique. They can be used in the harshest of exterior and interior environments and take on everyday, hard usage with ease.

2. Easy to Use Interfaces – Today’s models are easier to use, and they have a user-friendly interface that allows you to program and calibrate effortlessly.

3. Increased Productivity – One of the most significant advantages of hopper scales is that you do not have an employee manually weigh out the item. Instead, you have an automated system, which increases productivity and allows you to generate more product in less time.

4. Improved Accuracy – What is the point of having a product if you cannot deliver consistent results? When you use hopper scales, you improve your product accuracy and quality, thus, offering your customers consistency that is typically rewarded by loyalty.

5. Multiple Materials Supported – Hopper scales can be used to handle everything from fresh and frozen products, to grain, and more.

6. Multiple Environments – You can use hoppers on land, sea, or even inside industrial warehouses.

7. Multiple Sizes – You can find hopper scales ranging from 1,000 to 500,000 pounds. They have maximum weighing accuracy and can be used for batching. Since hoppers are made from AISI 304 stainless steel, they will last your business for years. You can also find hoppers in alloy for particular applications.

Purchase Your Hopper Scales in Calgary Today

Now that you are convinced a hopper scale is the right choice for your business, come over to Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. to purchase your new scale. We offer a wide variety of hopper scales that have a maximum weight capacity of 500,000 pounds. All load cells supplied by our team are NTEP approved, which means you can rest assured your weights and measurements are accurate and compliant with local regulations.

When you work with our team, you not only get a new hopper scale, but also a team of experts who will install and calibrate your scales on a regular basis to ensure maximum accuracy.

Call us at 403-250-3232 to learn more about hopper scales for your Calgary operations. You can also complete an online contact form for information about scales available in your area of Alberta.

Many plants today use batch-blend systems to create products in bulk. While batch weighing manually is just fine, it is time-consuming and means fewer bulk items released in each period. More plants today are moving toward batching scales in Calgary because they decrease weight times and maximize efficiency.

The Benefits of Adding Batching Scales

Whether you are running small or large-scale operations in Alberta, automated weight batching systems can pay for themselves quite quickly. If you have been on the fence as to whether you should purchase one for your business, here are a few benefits that might convince you they are worth the investment:

1. Improved Product Quality – Your business relies heavily on the consistency and quality of your product. With batching scales, you have more accurate and consistent mixtures than manual practices, which means fewer issues with quality and consistency. When you continually deliver a high-quality product, customers can rely on you, and you build better loyalty as a result.

2. Improved Productivity Times – To maximize your profits, you need faster production on the line. When you use an automated weight batching scale, your system does the work for you, and you free up workers for other tasks, all while increasing productivity and overall output.

3. More Accuracy – Now you have more accurate measurements of your ingredients, which means less material wasted during production. It also makes it easier for you to track production costs and consider your pricing model.

Find the Right Batching Scales in Calgary for Your Business Batch scales are versatile and can be scaled to your exact specifications. They are ideal for everything from portable dry batch to multi-plant operations. When you need batching scales, turn to the team at Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. Our batch systems include controllers and software so that you can customize your batching preferences. Furthermore, we can support dry and water materials, including heavy-duty products like concrete mixing. With our unique system, you can build and store multiple recipe files so that your batching scale is versatile enough for all operations. Furthermore, you can rely on our team for all calibration, installation, and repair needs. When you set up a maintenance contract with us, we are here to keep your scales accurate and in compliance with local regulations.

Call us at 403-250-3232 to learn more about our batching scales or to inquire about scales for your Alberta business. You can also complete an online contact form for information about our products and services.

If your business requires that you take highly precise measurements, having the right type of scale(s) is only half the battle. To make sure your system is fully integrated and efficient, you also need the appropriate control system, computer software and applications. A precision scale in itself can reassure your customers that they’re getting what they paid for. The right software, however, can make the weighing process more cost effective for your business. At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. we offer heavy capacity and retail scales, control systems, and software to businesses in the Calgary, Lethbridge, Red Deer and Swift Current areas. If you’re interested in saving time and money, you should take another look at your scale control system’s software.

What’s wrong with my manual ticketing system?
If your scales are producing manual tickets independently of your data management systems, your business will be forced to develop a complex method for entering data into your computers. By having your employees manually enter data, you create more opportunities for mistakes to be made as well as inefficiencies in your workflow.

Luckily, it’s not necessary to have employees manually track tickets and products as they’re being weighed. Having the right software in your scale control systems can take care of this task automatically, freeing up your employees for other, more important tasks such as ensuring your customers get the best service possible.

What are some specific ways new software can help my business?
At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd., we offer our own Smart1 Software as well as Rice Lake OnTrak Software and Rice Lake TransAct Software. Benefits of these systems include:

• Compatibility with a wide range of computer systems
Our software options work with a wide range of Windows operating systems.

• The ability to build custom applications tailored to your needs
One of the biggest advantages to updating your software is that it gives your business the opportunity to create custom applications that meet its unique needs. Creating applications specific to your business means you’re not paying for features you don’t need.

• Extensive computer skills aren’t required
Upgrading your software won’t require your employees to go through extensive training to get them up to speed.

• We can build your applications for you
If you don’t have the time or expertise to create your own applications, our experts at Accurate/Western Scale Co. can create them for you. It couldn’t be easier to get the latest and best software in order to integrate your precision scales with your data management system.

If your business needs the best precision scale control system software in the Calgary, Lethbridge, Red Deer and Swift Current areas, contact us at Accurate/Western Scale Co. today.