Articles
Anlaytical Scales and Laboratory Compounding
From Wikipedia we get: A laboratory; (informally, lab) is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific research, experiments, and measurement may be performed. These are the labs we will be talking about in this article. From Merriam-Webster we get: Compounding; to put together (parts) so as to form a whole: combine <compound ingredients>. This is the compounding we will be talking about in this article. There are several other meanings for this verb. It is most popularly know for the process of producing customized drugs in the Pharmacy. Since these are the definitions we are using we can logically expect to encounter: From Merriam-Webster again; Recipes: a set of instructions for making something from various ingredients.
On Purchasing a Laboratory Scale or an Analytical Balance
People who are purchasing a Precision Scale, either of the Laboratory or the Analytical type, should be aware of several facts and features before they make any decision.
Digital Force Gauges are Adaptive
The basic structure of a modern hand held digital force gauge allows it to be very adaptive to a wide range of requirements. The basic structure resembles that of a laptop computer or many of the other portable computing devices such as the book pads and hand held telephones. It is designed to be a general purpose strain gauge interface complete with bridge excitation, pre amplifier, analog to digital converter, central processing unit (CPU), low power LCD display, sealed keyboard, and I/O capability. In addition, the force gauge has one built in strain gauge that determines its nominal capacity and allows the user to perform measurements without any external strain gauge based adapters. The basic strain gauge is capable of measuring forces in both compression and tension. Yes, mechanical force gauges are still available but their usage is on the decline.
Keyboards are Key to Scales and Balances
There is a trend among most manufacturers of precision laboratory and analytical balances and scales to minimize the number of keys provided for operation of the scale. They would have you believe that by reducing the number of keys they have simplified the operation of the device. In truth, it is usually the opposite that is the consequence of having to multiplex keys.
Balances and Scales. The Last Big Upheaval
The last major changes in fine weighing as seen in Laboratory and Analytical Weighing came about in the 50’s, 60’s, and early 70’s. These changes saw what had been Balances become Scales. The equal arm balance and the Roberval suspension had been had been the heart of fine weighing for over a century.
Torbal Technology
Torbal has a very long and distinguished history of technological innovation and providing products that are technologically sound and robust in terms of performance and longevity. The company was actually founded based upon the innovation that replaced knife edges with taut bands in the 1890’s. This led to the formation of the Torsion Balance Company which was first located in New York City.
Digital electronic platform scales-industrial backbone
The modern platform scale, based upon strain gauge technology and driven by a microprocessor, is the industrial workhorse of weighing. The microprocessor has made it possible to correct for the nonlinearities of strain gauge weighing, and brought its accuracy into the 0.01% range. The platform scale, usually situated on the floor, provides industry with a reliable, easy to use scale, which is economical and accurate.
Precision Scale Pricing Pressures
The modern digital electronic precision scale is a good example of a product whose production costs are a balanced mix of mechanics and electronics. It is this mix of technologies that produces the moderate pressure for price increases over time.
We are all familiar with the world of electronic products, such as the personal computer, the cell phone, and the book pads, where prices tend to go down even as performance goes up. This trend is true for the electronics portion of a precision scale. The microprocessor, the display, and the interface electronics all tend to decrease in price as the production volumes of their components increases. Thus, we have an element of negative price pressure.
Moisture Analysis
Moisture analyzers are devices that measure the weight of an object while moisture is gradually removed from the weighed object. You may find yourself wondering “What is the purpose of this process?” There are a variety of situations where moisture analysis is a great benefit, some of which we will discuss below.
One area where moisture analysis is very beneficial is the manufacture of plastics. Yes, plastic has moisture in it. And how much moisture is has will have a significant effect upon its viscosity when melted and shaped. Excess moisture will lead to a general loss of plastic strength and weakness in welding. Plastic manufacturers need to carefully measure the moisture content of their products.
Moisture Analyzers Defined
An often overlooked aspect of modern industry is the need for moisture analysis. Moisture analyzers must be used in a wide range of activities across the manufacturing spectrum to guarantee that end users are getting the best products they can for their money.
Water is omnipresent in our lives. It’s everywhere: in the air, the ground, our bodies. However, excess moisture in some things can lead to problems. Moisture in plastic can lead to weakness. Moisture in stored foods can enable microorganisms to grow, compromising the healthiness and storage time of the foods. Moisture in paint can lead to poor adherence and future flaking. It behooves manufacturers of these products to make sure that excess moisture is not a factor.
Density Determination Guide
The Torbal Density Determination Kit (DDK) is designed to allow Torbal AD Series Precision Balances to be used to determine the density of solids and fluids using Archimedes principle in a way that eliminates the need for below the pan weighing. Torbal also makes available an Excel spreadsheet which makes the calculations required for density determinations. Embedded in this spreadsheet is a table of water density versus temperature from 15 C to 27 C in 0.1 C increments.
Precision Lab Scales and Magnetic Interference
The modern electronic laboratory and analytical balance are subject to magnetic interference because both rely on the magnetic force motor in their load cell to make their very sensitive measurements. The industrial scale, which uses strain gauge technology, is far less susceptible to magnetic interference, unless the basic strain gauge block is made up of magnetic material