5 signs your industrial scale may need to be replaced

Industrial scales must be accurate and reliable to ensure safe and successful operations. Unfortunately, they can become less dependable over time — especially if they’re not properly handled, maintained and stored. Here are five signs your industrial scale is no longer providing correct measurements and may be in need of replacement.

Inconsistent readings

If items that generally have the same weight begin to produce significantly different readings, it might be a sign that your scale isn’t functioning properly. Start by verifying that the device is sitting on a level surface. Move it if necessary, and weigh your objects again. If you continue to get inconsistent readings, try measuring an item with an exact weight, such as a five-pound weight. If your scale registers anything other than five pounds, you’ll know it needs to be calibrated or replaced.

Discrepancies between scales

If you get different readings for the same item on different scales, there could be something wrong with one or both of the devices. Calibrate them, or have a professional do so, to see if that resolves the issue. If the problem persists, you may need to replace your scale.

Unstable readings

This refers to when a reading doesn’t hold steady while an object is on the scale. Typically, it signals an electronic malfunction in the digital indicator. Unstable results can also occur alongside changes in humidity, due to the static charge in the air. Static discharges can cause the weight reading to drift.

Display issues

The performance of your scale’s weight display can be impacted by several factors. If the reading becomes difficult to see, check whether there’s an issue with the power source. If your scale runs on batteries, try changing them. Furthermore, when there aren’t any items on the scale, make sure the display shows a reading of zero. If this isn’t the case, it could be a sign that the scale needs to be calibrated or replaced.

Corrosive damage

Many types of scales can sustain damage in moist environments. Additionally, extreme temperatures can affect the internal mechanisms, causing them to malfunction. If you notice signs of rust or degradation, it might be time to replace your scale.

Industrial scales in Calgary

Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. installs, maintains, repairs and restores commercial and industrial scales. We offer service throughout much of Alberta, including in Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Brooks, Red Deer and Swift Current. Our certified technicians can inspect and calibrate all makes and models. Plus, all of our repair work is guaranteed. Contact us today for more information or to request a quote.

How to choose a scale for weighing commercial food

Scales can be used to weigh meats, fruits, vegetables and various other types of food in restaurants, warehouses and markets, among other settings. Plus, they come in numerous shapes and sizes to meet a business’ specific needs. So how do you choose the right one? Here are some things to consider when selecting a commercial scale for weighing food.

Weighing capacity

All scales have weight limits, including both maximum and minimum requirements. A high-capacity scale is ideal for measuring large quantities of bulk ingredients, while a low-capacity device works best for smaller portions and expensive ingredients like spices. Before purchasing a scale, be sure to check the weight capacity specifications to ensure you get a product that meets your needs.

Readability

A clear display helps ensure measurement visibility and accuracy. Scales can be either digital or mechanical. Digital scales tend to be more popular, as they display precise readings down to the last gram. However, mechanical scales are portable and don’t require a power source.

Hygiene

It’s essential to maintain good hygiene practices when working with food. Commercial scales must be easy to clean and sturdy enough to withstand repeated handling. Look for a scale that’s resistant to spills and frequent washing. Additionally, choose a stainless steel product that has a removable pan to make cleaning more efficient.

Types of scales

How you intend to use the device should be a major factor when choosing a scale. Common types of commercial food weight scales include:

Portion control scales, which are used to serve consistent portions.
Receiver scales, which are intended to weigh items in bulk as they arrive. They can be relied on to accurately record the inventory you receive.
Hanging scales, which provide a flexible way to measure irregularly shaped produce, meats and dry goods. They’re usually hung from the ceiling, but some can be handheld.
Price computing, or legal-for-trade scales, which determine the price of a product based on its weight or by connecting to a point-of-sale system that performs the calculations.
Baking scales, or balance scales, use a set of weights to provide precise measurements.

Commercial scales in Alberta

If you’re looking to measure food and other products with precision, Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. can help. We offer a variety of commercial scales, including counting scales, price computing scales and precision scales in Calgary, Red Deer and Swift Current. We’re an approved service provider accredited by Measurement Canada. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services.

Guide to Site Planning for Truck Scales

When it comes to planning your weigh station, the site must be able to meet your needs and accommodate the growth of your operation. Here are a few of the most important considerations to keep in mind. Traffic flow The first step to successful site planning assessing the traffic flow of your facility. Small Operations Usually only require one scale, a few parking spots and minimal space for manoeuvring.However, large operations often require more than one scale, plenty of space for parking and staging areas, as well as room for trucks to line up. It’s a good idea to mark out the configuration of your site and, if possible, drive a full-size truck around the facility to check for any tight spots or potential safety issues. Site condition: Before starting construction, it’s important to look out for the following:

Obstructions: You’ll need to locate water lines, gas lines, power lines, sewers and drains so that they can be moved or avoided during construction. In addition, you should have your site inspected for high water tables, bedrock and sinkholes.
Drainage: Scales require adequate drainage as trapped water and moisture could cause them to corrode. Furthermore, if you live in a cold climate, water continually freezing and thawing underneath or around your scale can cause the foundation to heave.
Soil bearing: The soil at your site should be tested to determine if it’s strong enough to support the foundation, the scale and the loads the scale will be weighing. The soil bearing will determine which style of foundation you can use.

Keeping these factors in mind will ensure the longevity of your site. Foundation The type of foundation you choose for your weight station is crucial. If your foundation cracks or shifts, it could throw your scale out of alignment, thereby requiring serious repairs or even replacement. Here are the four main types of foundations you can choose from:

Pier foundations are cheap but require a high soil bearing capacity
Beam slab foundations are expensive but stronger than pier foundations
Pit foundations are suitable for small sites and provide easy access to technicians
Above-ground foundations are affordable but require a lot of space

Lastly, if you need help with site planning, the knowledgeable staff at Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. can help. Industrial scales in Alberta At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd., we sell and rent a variety of fixed and portable truck scales to customers and business owners in Calgary and throughout the surrounding areas in Alberta. In addition, our expert service staff can provide on-site installations and 24/7 maintenance and repair services to ensure your equipment works as intended. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services.

7 key things to consider when choosing a scale for your laboratory

Are you looking for a precision scale for your laboratory? If so, you’ll need to consider a number of factors to ensure the data you collect is accurate. Here’s what you need to look for when choosing a scale for your lab.

1. Size of pan/weighing platform

The items you weigh must fit onto the pan or weighing platform. It can’t hang over the side, as this will lead to unstable readings and inaccuracies. Purchase a scale that has a pan large enough to easily contain your largest items.

2. Minimum readability

Minimum readability is the smallest unit the scale will measure and display. For example, scale with a minimum readability of 1 gram will display results in only whole grams, with no fractions or decimals. Determine what readability you need when choosing a scale.

3. Capacity

Determine what are the heaviest items to be weighed and then choose one with a capacity that’s double that amount. This will ensure that the items you measure will be well within the scale’s limits.

4. Portability

Will you need to move your scale from one location to another? If so, wireless scales with rechargeable batteries will make your scale more portable. Some models even come with durable, hard-shell carrying cases.

5. Overload protection

All scales have a maximum limit. If you exceed this limit, overload protection will ensure that the scale being used will simply display an error message. Overload protection guards your scale’s circuitry in the event that an item with too much mass is placed on the pan.

6. Data collection capabilities

Modern scales give you the ability to weigh items and send the data straight to your computer or laptop. You can seamlessly incorporate your information in spreadsheets, graphs or reports.

7. Mechanical or digital

Mechanical scales don’t need batteries or electricity, which is great if your lab is in the field. However, digital scales have a number of useful features including various weighing units, data handling and data storage capabilities. Digital scales are also more precise and are built to resist environmental damage.

Scales in Alberta

Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. offers a wide variety of precision laboratory scales and balances. We provide weight scale products and services in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Swift Current and surrounding areas in Alberta. Our qualified scale professionals can help determine what precision scale is best for your lab. Contact us today and learn how we can help.

5 Tips For Cleaning Your Medical Scale

Precision medical scales require precise and ongoing cleaning to ensure safety, reliability and the longevity of the device. Here are some tips to ensure your medical precision scale is regularly sanitized

1. Share cleaning procedures with your employees

If your medical scale is in a public office or clinic environment, you should have a printed-out cleaning protocol for all staff to follow. The document should contain the following information:

What should be cleaned?
How often should it be cleaned?
Who will clean the equipment?
The method of cleaning
What chemicals or products to be used?

Posting these protocols in a public space and informing all staff of the procedures required will help keep everyone safe.

2. Sanitize the equipment after its used

Medical scales should be cleaned after every use. Waiting could lead to contaminants drying on the surface, thereby making it more difficult to clean. Viruses and bacteria can live up to three days on a plastic or steel surface so vigilant cleanings are paramount. Before you start cleaning, make sure to unplug your medical scale. You can then remove any powder with a dry tissue. Make sure to never blow materials on your scale as this could lodge debris inside the scale housing. Once all dust is removed, use a damp cloth and mild solvent to clean it. Remember to wipe away from the cone opening where the pan rests as well as the air ducts.

3. Be careful with water and liquids

Water can damage delicate electrical and digital systems, and liquids entering the scale housing can cause the device to malfunction. Be careful not to apply solvents directly to the scale. Instead, dab them onto a cloth or use anti-bacterial wipes.

4. Exercise caution when handling your scale

Medical scales are precision instruments and precautions should be taken when cleaning them. Avoid:

Putting too much pressure on the balance pan; this can damage the load cells
Lifting the scale and shaking it to loosen debris
Dropping the scale or handling it roughly
Moving, carrying or tilting the scale to clean it

In addition, using harsh chemicals can seriously damage the scale’s components. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations when selecting a solvent.

Medical Scales in Alberta

If you have questions about how to maintain your medical scale, we can help. The technicians at Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. have a combined 40 years of experience maintaining and repairing all types of scales in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer,Swift Current and the surrounding areas. We’re accredited with Measurement Canada and have a reputation for excellence. Contact us today to learn more about our medical scales and services.

How accurate should your lab scale be?

Laboratory work relies on accurate measurements. That said, some applications can tolerate lower accuracy levels, while others demand the highest precision possible. This means there’s no universal answer to the question of how accurate lab scales should be. However, when it comes to choosing a lab-scale, here are some key considerations in terms of accuracy.

Important parameters

Every scale is characterized by parameters and the most important ones are readability, accuracy and repeatability.

Accuracy refers to how accurate a scale’s reading is to the actual weight of the object.
Readability refers to the lowest denominator the scale can display when weighing an object. For instance, a scale with a readability of 0.1mg has a lower readability than a scale with a readability of 1mg.
Repeatability refers to the scale’s ability to display the same measurement result for a given object under identical conditions. This is often expressed as a standard deviation, meaning that the lower the value is the less variation there is.

As a rule of thumb, a scale with lower readability will be more accurate, but that doesn’t mean they’re the same. A scale could have very low readability while also being inaccurate. And, if you need to add and remove weights in real time, make sure to check linearity and eccentricity values provided by the manufacturer.

Amount of accuracy needed The degree of accuracy you need is entirely dependent on what you use the scale for. Every application and lab has a certain tolerance for error or, more precisely, a maximum uncertainty tolerance. This parameter specifies how much uncertainty is acceptable when weighing things in the context of your lab, and that can change depending on the specific activities and work performed. For instance, if your uncertainty tolerance is 1%, your scale doesn’t need to be as accurate as if your tolerance was 0.1%.

To know if your scale is accurate enough, all you need to do is determine the smallest weight your scale can accurately weigh. This is done by dividing the balance’s repeatability by your maximum uncertainty tolerance, which will then give you a specific weight. If this weight is found to be 20 mg, for example, you now know your scale is accurate when measuring anything that weighs 20 mg and up. It’s therefore unsuitable for anything under that value.

Find a reliable precision scale in Alberta

Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. carries a wide range of precision scales and we serve clients in Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, Swift Current and surrounding areas. Whether you need to source specialized equipment or want advice on how to equip your laboratory, you can count on our experts for help. Contact us today to find out more about our products and services.