Category Archives: General

Top Choices for IBC Container Scale Weighing Solutions

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You will often see an intermediate bulk container (IBC) tote bin or tank in various locations around industrial settings. And, in a lot of cases, customers are looking for IBC Tote scale options which would allow them to weigh those tanks and keep track of what is inside.

Before we get too far along, what exactly is an IBC container? 

Intermediate bulk containers (also known as IBC tank, IBC tote, IBC, or pallet tank) are industrial-grade containers engineered for the mass handling, transport, and storage of liquids.

Rigid intermediate bulk containers are stackable, reusable, versatile containers with an integrated pallet base mount that provides forklift and/or pallet jack maneuverability.

These containers can be made from metal, plastic, or a composite construction of the two materials. Rigid IBC design types are manufactured across a volume range that is in between that of standard shipping drums and intermodal tank containers, hence the title “intermediate“ bulk container. IBC tank capacities generally used are often 1,040 and 1,250 litres (275 and 330 US gal). 

As a distributor of Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tote scales, there are several ways that you could go about weighing your IBC tank. A tote load cell setup could be used to weigh the ibc tote where you basically build a scale using a load cell kit.  The more popular approach would be to actually use an industrial floor scale where you could place the industrial platform scale under the tote in order to weigh the 275 gallon water tank. 

ibc tote scale

Every few months we get asked if anyone uses a 5×5 platform scale for weighing totes?  A customer typically sees a scale online with 10,000 lb capacity and 5×5 size for sale. Adding a scale like that would eliminate guessing on how much product is left in the tote.

We basically offer high capacity weighing solutions for applications requiring frequent loading and unloading of IBC Totes and Carboys. An IBC Tote / Tank Scale is designed for weighing tote bins and carboys. We can provide industrial floor scales with various platform sizes (48″ x 48″, 60″ x 60″, 72″ x 72″ and more) and various capacities (2000 lb, 5000 lb, & 10,000 lb). We even have “U” shaped scales which can sometimes make adding a tank and removing a tank easier.

ibc tank scales

Some customers just put one of these IBC tote scales on their water truck and use a chemical pump. They zero the scale and you can get accurate weighing. You will want to make sure the scale is secure on the truck deck or bed and secure the tote on the scale.

Painted Steel scale platforms are typical with diamond tread plate.  Stainless steel is also available. Weight indicators are available with 4-20 mA analog output and/or optional setpoint relays. Other options might include battery power, stainless steel enclosure, LCD or LED displays etc…

We can also quote you for intrinsically safe options if needed for weighing chemicals such as ammonia, fluoride, phosphate, polymers, sodium aluminate, sodium bisulfate, sodium hydroxide, and other liquids.

Tote or container scale choices have to be well designed and rugged for frequent on and off loading. Most scale platforms we offer for this type of application would have four load cells and adjustable feet. In addition to selling the scale equipment, we also have a highly qualified, factory trained scale repair department who can troubleshoot and fix any scale error you may have.

This scale base is available in standard sizes ranging from 24″ x 24″ to 72″ x 72″ (many other sizes available). There are various digital weight indicators available as well. Some popular choices are the Pennsylvania 7600E, Rice Lake 682 Plus, and Rice Lake 480 Plus. For more info please contact us for a quote by completing our Request for Quote form.

Best Commercial Bakery Scales

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Over the years we have worked with numerous commercial bakeries and related businesses with their portion weighing needs.  Accuracy is very important for their food recipe and quality control and overall consistency. Many of these businesses use our scale calibration and repair services on a regular basis to keep their scales running year round.

What Kind of Scale do Professional Bakers & Chefs Use?

This is a good question. Basically there are a couple of ways that bakery customers often approach obtaining commercial bakery scales. One way is to buy high quality scales that are more expensive. A few examples might include the stainless steel Doran 7000XL bench scale or perhaps the Avery Weigh-Tronix ZQ375 checkweigher.

Both of these are washdown safe, aka waterproof scales and the thinking is that these industrial scales are built tougher and will provide more years of service in return for the investment that you’re making. In fact, we know of a famous pizza chain that uses the Doran 7000XL bench scales for preparing their pizzas and keeping track of ingredient portions. The result that we’ve noticed many times is a consistent pizza every time you order.

doran 7000xl commercial bakery scale

The other way to approach buying scales for a commercial bakery is to buy the cheapest scales and then when they break (notice we didn’t say “if” they break) you’ll throw those out and buy more new cheap scales.  

Which way is better? 

As a scale supplier for over forty years, we have seen both strategies utilized and in our experience, most of the time, you come out ahead buying a quality scale that is built for the application that you intend to use it for.

One thing is also worth mentioning and that is to educate your workers about the scale. So many times workers don’t understand or realize the cost of the scale and that the scale is not impervious to damage. Most every digital scale on the market doesn’t do well when it’s dropped from the counter onto a concrete floor or carried around the kitchen by the cable or have a heavy item dropped or slammed onto the weighing platter.

Assuming your employees use the scale properly, sure, you may have to get your replacement Doran Scale load cell installed or perhaps a load cell cable somehow gets cut or ripped out of the scale. But in most cases, those items can be repaired and you’re not having to purchase new equipment all the time.

What are Scales Used for in the Professional Kitchen?

Most of the time bakery scales are used for portion control and quality control purposes. Ingredients can be very expensive and customers expect consistency every time they order your product. 

What is the Best Food Scale on the Market?

The best commercial food scale on the market is probably the Doran 7000XL stainless steel bench scale. Professional bakers have used this commercial scale for many years. If you’re talking about small portion control scales or kitchen scales, then you might want to see the Doran 550 series counter top scales. 

We encourage you to contact us to discuss your needs and what you are looking for with a digital scale. We can tell you what the best kitchen scale is in our opinion, but if you let us know exactly how you’re going to be using the scale, what features you need/want and your budget, we can provide you with our recommendation. Call us (919) 776-7737 or fill out the RFQ form on our website to get started.

Choosing the Right Industrial Parts Counting Scale for Inventory

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Precision counting scales are essential tools for any business that manages inventory, pulls orders from a stockroom for production, creates kits of parts, or provides fulfillment services for a third party.

Any products or parts that need tracked by count…. need a rugged and reliable precision counting scale, and with hundreds of different manufacturers and counting scale combinations to choose from, you might need a little assistance in buying a counting scale.

counting scale

To make sure you select the best solution, our friends at Pennsylvania Scale Co have gathered four of the most important features to consider when choosing a precision counting scale for your company. You can see those below.

Also, in addition to accuracy, the other benefit you gain from purchasing a Pennsylvania 7500 or 7600 counting scale, is the “industrial toughness” of those products. They are the complete opposite of the plastic lightweight imported scales that you’ve probably seen before.

#1 High Internal Resolution

When a scale is in counting mode, it calculates a piece weight in order to display a count (weight on scale/piece weight = count). The piece weight is determined by the internal resolution of the scale, not by the displayed resolution. (The displayed resolution is usually a larger graduation or resolution than the piece weight.)

High internal resolution determines the lightest weight change a scale can measure. The higher the internal resolution, the more accurate the piece weight will be, which is especially critical when weighing and counting smaller pieces.

The increased performance from a high internal resolution counting scale means greater accuracy in orders and inventory management. This in turn leads to greater customer satisfaction and higher profitability. Also see: sometimes the cheapest scale can be the most expensive.



#2 Rugged, Reliable, and Built for the Real World

Accurate high internal resolution counting scales improve operations by minimizing breakdowns and delivering maximum uptime. Unlike laboratory balances or other high-precision measuring devices, counting scales are typically used in the middle of industrial environments with all of the vibration, heat or cold, rough handling, and constant use of today’s fast-paced production climate.

Selecting a counting scale that is purposefully designed to provide high accuracy while withstanding the constant use and abuse that occurs in the real world is a must to avoid inconvenient and costly downtime and repairs. Pennsylvania counting scales are designed to thrive in these types of environments and promote high-performance counting operations.

#3 Flexible and Easy to Use

A high-quality, high-precision counting scale delivers exceptional accuracy while also being flexible and easy to use within the production environment. Setting up piece weights and displaying counts in the fewest number of steps will get your counting scale up and running quickly and will instantly produce measurable improvements in accuracy and productivity.

Plus, the easier a counting scale is for your team to use, the more they will use it, resulting in higher accuracy and lower waste. Pennsylvania counting scales are renowned for this high level of intuitive operation and flexible counting modes that include: 1-step counting, 2-step counting, negative counting, top end counting, counting with a manually entered piece weight, piece weight store and recall, and auto sample to bulk counting.

#4 Connectivity of Counting Scales

Creating powerful, intuitive counting systems requires software for data collection and management to automate and validate count or weight data from the process or production line. Pennsylvania counting scales are flexible enough to work with many third-party software systems, and their application support team is ready to provide expert assistance or scale manuals to help with scale integration, including counting scale label printing systems with design services for a custom human readable or barcode label to meet a variety of requirements.

Contact our sales department today for more information and buying advice on our complete lineup of precision counting scales.

Bench Scales Ideal for Pharmaceutical Packaging

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Safety First!

That may be a tired expression, but it rings true in so many industrial settings, including pharmaceutical packaging.

While corporate executives and share holders may be focused on productivity and the scientists with precision, everyone involved – regulatory agencies, the government, warehouse workers, employees at every step of the supply chain, pharmacy technicians, doctors, consumers, and more are all concerned with safety.

pharma scales for accurate weighing

Cross contamination can put lives at risk.

And even just a miscalculation, lapse in judgment, or inferior equipment, can put a business at risk of being heavily fined or even shut down. Companies in the highly-regulated pharmaceutical industry must always be compliant and “audit prepared.”

Pharmacies don’t operate the way they did 100 years ago, when a pharmacist used a pestle and mortar and prepared medicines as needed.

Today, with so many medications available to the public and so much money in big pharma, drug products are almost exclusively mass created and manufactured far from their eventual point of purchase. After being created in a lab, most consumer drug products are bottled, boxed, stored, packaged and shipped from container closure systems.

Pills, ointments, syrups, syringes, inhalers, etc. are packaged, they are counted and weighed using bench scales that are reliably precise, durably built, intuitively operated, and loaded with safety features.

When designing safety assessments for chemical and pharmaceutical packaging operations, leading companies carefully select the highest quality industrial bench scales like the OHAUS Defender.

Many folks just think of Ohaus as a manufacturer of Laboratory Balances like the Explorer or Scout. But, they also manufacture a complete line of industrial scales like floor scales, counting scales and bench scales, like the Defender 5000.

Defender 5000 for Pharma Packaging

The Defender 5000 Series Bench Scales are designed to simplify demanding industrial applications, including production, packaging, inventory, and shipping.

Multifunctional Defender 5000 meets the weighing and measurement needs of a broad range of manufacturing processes and industrial applications, including Parts Counting with APW optimization, Check Weighing or Check Counting, Percent Weighing, Filling, and Dynamic Weighing or Display Hold. With so many application modes, Defender eliminates the need for long and complicated manual calculations.

Durable Defender 5000 scales are built to withstand the rigors of warehouse work with a 304-grade stainless steel platform, powder-coated steel frame, and aluminum load cell that are all easy to clean and sterilize. Available washdown models are designed to withstand high pressure cleaning. Defender meets NTEP & Measurement Canada type approvals.

The user-friendly Defender 5000 features an alpha-numeric keypad with SoftKeys, large backlit display, and plain text on-screen prompts to guide you through operation. Defender 5000’s large transflective dot matrix display makes results easy to read, even in bright sunlight. The SmarText 3.0 interface guides you through advanced features, reducing training time for operators and simplifying setup.

Available Defender 5000 floor and tabletop models feature a range of platform sizes and weighing capacities to support your needs. Call (919) 776-7737 or complete our RFQ form on our website for additional info on the Ohaus bench scale lineup.

Livestock Scales for Weighing Pigs

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Pig scales allow producers to measure piglet litter weights and/or sort grown hogs for market. Knowing the real weight of your pigs also assists with being able to load your truck or trailer correctly. We have several types of scales for weighing pigs.

The Brecknell PS1000 general purpose floor scale has become quite a hit with our agricultural customers, and some industrial customers. The scale took the old idea of the VD1000 animal scales but brought it in at an affordable price. 

This Brecknell PS-1000 fits several applications perfectly – 4H participants can weight their animals up to 1000 pounds. Food rationing can be done using the weight divisions of 0.5 lbs; and last – the scale can be used in industrial applications for drum weighing, shipping weights, and any other general purpose tasks needing an accurate weight! 

The pig scale operates on four (4) AAA batteries or 6 VDC, 500mA adapter, both included. Includes a digital weight indicator with black plastic bracket for wall or stand mounting. Scale weighs around 65 lbs w/ 2 easy access carry handles which make scale convenient to relocate. No need for ramps or recessed floors, as this unit comes with ramped ends. The dimensions of the scale platform are 55.75″ (L) x 20.25″ (W) x 2.5″ (H).

livestock scale for weighing pigs

We think you are going to really like the affordably priced WeighSouth VS-2501 Vet Scale. This stylish animal scale offers functionality and heavy duty design. The VS-2501 features a large easy to clean stainless steel platform with four load cells underneath. The 43″ x 20″ scale platform is factory calibrated to the digital weight indicator for immediate use once the scale is received. In fact, we’re often asked what is our favorite vet scale or to provide a review of certain choices and this is usually the favorite choice of most.

The indicator features a heavy duty metal enclosure with large LED digits making it very easy to read. Place the indicator on a desk top or mounted on a wall with the included hardware.

Why settle for some “no name” pig scale when you can have this VS-2501 industrial strength digital scale! Weighing small to large animals you cannot beat the quality and construction of the WeighSouth VS-2501 Veterinary Scale. While these types of products are often thought of as floor scales for dogs, the large 43” x 20” stainless steel platform is large enough for Lamas and Alpacas, yet small and accurate enough for the smallest breeds of dogs, sheep, goats, hogs, nursery pigs, and many more varieties of livestock. The scale operates on either AC Adapter or internal rechargeable battery. The livestock scale for weighing pigs includes a removable non-skid rubber mat to ensure extra grip for animals to keep them from slipping when stepping on or standing on the scale.

The AWB40-5K Weigh Bars Set of (2) load bars calibrated with digital weight indicator is a versatile scale system. These are probably the finest in the industry both in performance and quality. It includes 2 complete weigh bars, 2 quick disconnect cables, and one stainless steel indicator with internal battery.

These AWB weigh bars are virtually watertight with sealing at the end of the bar as well as the feet. There are quick disconnect steel braided cables on both ends to make service a snap.  These have feet that are 6 1/4″, galvanized, and can be mounted (if the customer desires) with cement bolts provided. We have been recommending and selling weigh bars for years and have finally designed what many feel are the very best available. These are ideal for building your own weighing system. Great for alleyway, squeeze chutes and more.

We also have other scales available for weighing animals such as hogs, sheep, and small cattle. For example, these scales feature small wheels on one end for easy moving, 4 sturdy rubber feet provide traction and stability, cage, base frame, and tread plate bottom made entirely of aluminum, outward opening door on both short sides; both operable from one side with built-in 33” high side rails. Call (919) 776-7737 or complete our RFQ form for details.

 

Concrete Deck Truck Scale or Steel Deck? Which should I Buy?

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Probably somewhere around 3/4 of our truck scale customers choose the steel deck truck scale, but in case you’re curious about purchasing a truck scale with a concrete deck, please keep reading to see which is better for your needs. 

With a steel deck truck scale, once the foundation is in place, the installation process is quick and the customer is weighing usually within 1 day.  However, you may prefer the durability and additional traction that a concrete deck truck scale provides.

So, what are the pluses and minuses of a steel deck truck scale versus a concrete deck truck scale?  Read below to find out. 

concrete deck or steel deck truck scale

Steel Deck Truck Scale Overview

Our selection of steel deck truck scales from well respected scale manufacturers like Rice Lake, Avery Weigh-Tronix, and B-Tek are constructed of high quality structural steel and then painted with quality paint. Now each manufacturer builds their weighbridge slightly different but most include steel I beams running the length of each scale module. The number of beams and the space between each beam varies depending on the scale manufacturer.

The advantages of purchasing a steel deck truck scale are the fast installation and since a steel deck truck scale weighs less than a concrete deck version of the same scale, it makes it easier years later, to move or relocate if the need arises. The disadvantage of a steel deck is typically the platform can become more slippery than concrete. 

Concrete Deck Truck Scale Overview

The concrete deck version of a truck scale is similar to a steel deck module, except there is no top treadplate of steel. There is an open top in each platform for the concrete to be poured in. In most cases, you will want to have the scale shipped to your location and fill the platforms with concrete once the scale is set in place. The normal cure time for the concrete is around 28 days.

The advantage of a concrete deck truck scale includes better traction in wet conditions such as rain and snow and better load distribution across the overall weighbridge. In some cases, concrete decks can provide a few extra years of service when compared to steel decks. The disadvantage of concrete deck scales is the extended wait time while the deck cures. Also, if you need to move the scale, it can be more difficult with the heavier platform.

We hope this article helps you to determine which truck scale top you prefer. They both have their +’s and -‘s.  If you need some guidance and are looking for truck scale prices and buying information, please call us at (919) 776-7737 or complete our RFQ form.

Peak Hold Feature on Scales and Weighing Balances

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What is Peak Hold?

There are several ways to describe peak hold, but for our purposes, we are going to say that a scale with peak hold enabled displays the highest reading detected by the scale or balance and holds the result on the display.  

How Is Peak Hold Different From a Regular Hold Function?

This is where the “hold” function can get a little confusing. Many scales these days offer some version(s) of a hold function. Some offer a hold function that will hold whatever weight is on the scale when it stabilizes. Some scales will hold the stable weight and then increase the displayed weight if it increases beyond a certain percentage. 

The regular hold function freezes the results on the display when the scale receives them. In this case, that means that the weight on the display would only show what first registered on the scale, paying no attention to the weight applied afterwards. So if your scale measures 3kg, 7kg and 5kg, it will hold and display 3kg. As mentioned above, some scales will go beyond this and display an increased amount if the scale weight increases beyond a certain percentage. Other hold settings average the weight and hold or “lock” the weight once it becomes stable.

 

Peak hold normally is the highest amount the scale has registered. It doesn’t usually involve all the averages and percentage increases. When the weight is held for dynamic weighing, it’s after the scale has averaged the results of all instances of weight registered. If your scale measures 3kg, 7kg and 5kg, it will hold and display 5kg. You see some of this on animal or livestock scales sometimes. This would not be “peak” hold.

While peak hold will record the highest value obtained rather than the first stable value, or the average of multiple values. It can be useful when a lot of weight is applied very quickly and removed just as quickly. If your scale measures 3kg, 7kg and 5kg on it, it will hold and display 7kg.

Why is Peak Hold Used in Quality Testing?

You don’t want cardboard packaging to fall apart because of the weight in the box. Peak hold can be used to determine a material’s tensile strength, which can help manufacturers determine if a material is suitable to contain and transport various objects, materials and chemicals.

Also, product consistency is very important. Imagine purchasing a bag of candy only to find that some pieces of candy melt in your mouth, while other pieces of candy hurt your teeth when you attempt to chew them.

You probably would not buy that brand again.

Quality testers need to ensure that tools that see heavy duty usage can always withstand daily usage without breaking randomly.

Another example, a can with potentially volatile chemicals needs to be made of a material that can withstand a certain amount of pressure build up before it breaks, or people could get injured.

peak hold scale

Many manufacturers use peak hold to test the amount of weight and pressure that can be supported by a part or piece to make sure components will not break from daily usage and stress on individual components.

The peak hold function can also be used to measure the highest weight for multiple weighing results in a short succession. For example, you can place an item, weigh it, remove it and place another one until you’re done measuring all your items, but the only weight recorded will be the highest one. Peak hold can also capture unstable weight spikes, while most weighing functions capture weight results once they are stable.

How is Peak Hold Used?

Some scales, like certain Adam Equipment scales, allow users to set a time interval in which the scale will keep displaying the recorded peak. The user can either have it displayed for that time interval before the display clears, or manually clear the display. Scales will often record and display a peak until another one is captured.

Material is sometimes weighed too quickly for the human eye to follow, or the sample is so bulky that it hides the display, which needs to maintain the weight to be read when the sample is removed from the pan. In addition, many quality testing facilities use systems with switches or remote mechanisms in place, so the scale or balance must be able to capture weight even if a person is not at the scale.

We have a customer who has purchased peak hold scales from us for many years. They measure the amount of weight that a person can lift by utilizing a S-Beam Load Cell along with a Digital Weight Indicator with Peak Hold Function enabled. The system has worked very well over the years and is currently utilized across the United States.

For more information on scales that offer peak hold capability, contact the Central Carolina Scale sales department or call (919) 776-7737.

Scale Weighing Equipment Maintenance Tips

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For many folks, their scales are an important part of their overall business. Proper scale maintenance can help extend the life of the weighing equipment, minimize unexpected down time, and even protect employees from possible dangers.

By maintaining a Central Carolina Scale scale service maintenance plan, companies can coordinate scheduled time at certain intervals to inspect & clean their scales and weighing related equipment. This is also a good time to do any major repairs as well.

This is also a good time to work with your scale company to determine if any replacement scale parts need to be ordered.  Remember, as we have mentioned in the past, lead times for certain scale parts can be an issue at the time of this article. Having adequate stock is very important. You need to work with your scale company to make sure that either they or you have adequate stock of any hard to source items to eliminate or greatly reduce any emergency down time.

If you have an above ground truck scale, this is also a wonderful time to clean under the scale. Mud or compacted dirt that builds up under a truck scale will cause inaccurate weight readings and could cause the underside of the scale to rust. Below are a few additional scale service ideas that your company should consider.  

​Scale Owners with a Remote Display and/or Ticket Printer: Check Scale Cables for Wear and/or if they are being crushed

Power cords and other cables such as printer cables, remote display cables, etc… can sometimes be forgotten or ignored over time.  Then, they are often pushed to the side or have heavy items placed on top of them. Over time these cables tend to be nicked or completely crushed. Make sure that they do not get damaged from being cut or overloaded with heavy objects. You might also want to check the connection to the back of the digital weight indicator to make sure it is solid. 

scale repair and maintenance

Clean your Scales and Weighing Equipment Regularly

Regularly cleaning weighing scales is often overlooked or completely forgotten. But, keeping weighing equipment clean is actually a very important step to ensure your scales have a long service life. Check underneath and all around the weighing equipment for dirt and debris. Debris on, or especially, under a scale, can cause it to provide inaccurate weight readings. 

The preferred cleaning methods can vary depending on what type of scale you have. We have found with most counter top scales, a soft cloth rag and a small amount of 409 or Windex will usually work for simple cleaning.

Larger scales often need a little more effort to clean such as a high-pressure washdown. As we’ve mentioned before, truck scales need to be cleaned underneath so their is no buildup which would affect the weight readings. Be careful to clean the scales but not get any water or chemical inside the digital weight indicator or the junction boxes. 

Industrial Scale Owners Inside a Warehouse: Make Sure Scales are Level & Surrounding Areas are Safe & Functional

The feet on your scale(s) should be completely on the table top or floor. If they are not, then you will need to adjust them. Scales work best in a very flat and level environment. Also look for things that could be problems such as a high speed fan blowing air near or around your parts counting scale or perhaps someone has recently welded a rigid pipe to a mixing tank with load cells underneath. These are things that could cause a problem down the road. 

load cell cable

Truck Scale Owners: Inspect Cables & Wires to make sure they have not been damaged

In addition to cleaning the underside of the scale from any build up, one of the other things a truck scale owner can do is to inspect the cables and wiring. In certain situations, rodents love to chew on load cell cable. Wires can also be affected by electricity, lightning, or water. Regular equipment maintenance & inspection can help operators detect wiring issues early, while there is still an opportunity to correct the problem & minimize the risk of danger or equipment failure.

Schedule the CCS Scale Technicians to Handle Necessary Repairs

Many companies are capable of fixing or repairing certain things in and around the scales. However, most of the time, it’s a good idea to at least consult with your scale company before you do any type of repairs involving your scale. Regularly inspecting & calibrating scale equipment & performing basic equipment maintenance tasks allow you the opportunity to schedule service calls & schedule the down time for repairs to be made. 

Summary: Kick off the New Year with Accurate Weighing Equipment all year!

Since it’s the first part of the year, it might be a great time for you to go ahead and commit to a service agreement from Central Carolina Scale. We can check your scales periodically throughout the year and bring anything we see to your attention.

We can recommend a service interval but ultimately, you decide how often the weighing equipment is serviced. Maintenance agreement customers also enjoy preferred status when it comes to scheduling, discounts on spare parts & other scales as well. It’s really a great deal since you know that your scales need to be checked on a regular basis anyway.  Why not go ahead and set up a schedule and pay less money per visit.  Call (919) 776-7737 or complete our RFQ form to get started. 

How is Zero & Tare Different on a Scale?

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On most scales or laboratory balances you will often see a “Zero” button and you will probably see a “Tare” button as well. What do these two buttons do?  Are they the same?

If you’ve pressed these buttons before, they might seem like they do the same thing.  Actually, they are similar, but they actually do different things.

zero vs tare

ZERO BUTTON ON A SCALE OR LAB BALANCE

The “Zero” button should be pressed when the scale is a graduation or two away from zero and you would like it to be perfectly on 0.00 before you start weighing. For example, if you have a floor scale and it is flashing between 0 and 1 lb.  If you press the “Zero” key, that will hopefully zero the scale off and it will be ready for weighing.

Technically, the zero point is actually set during the scale calibration along with span calibration. Why would you have to zero the scale?  Perhaps there is some buildup on the scale platform that has accumulated since the scale was last calibrated or perhaps the scale needs to be re-calibrated… 

Basically, the “Zero” button should only be pressed when no load is on the scale. On legal for trade scales, there is a limit to how much weight you can “zero off” the scale.

TARE BUTTON ON A SCALE OR LAB BALANCE

What does tare mean?  The “Tare” button is pressed when you have placed something on the scale (like a box, container, or empty truck) and you need to disregard the weight of that item. After adding the truck or container to the scale, pressing the “Tare” key will set the display to display 0.00 and then whatever you’re looking to weigh can then be added to the scale in the “Net” mode.

For example, let’s say you are using a parts counting scale and you often use a plastic container when you are counting out bolts. You place the empty plastic container on the scale, press “Tare” and then count parts. The only weight you will see on the scale is the weight of the bolts (and the number of bolts, since you are counting them).

Then when you’re finished, you can remove the plastic container from the scale. When you do this, the weight of the plastic container will still be displayed since you “tared” that off earlier. You then press the “Tare” key to remove that container weight from the scale and the display will once again be showing 0.00 and ready to weigh.

Advantages that Digital Scales have when it comes to the Tare Function

Digital scales offer several advantages when it comes to the tare feature, making them a preferred choice for many customers. One significant advantage is the simplicity and ease of use. With a digital scale, the tare feature is much simpler – all it takes is a press of a button. This convenience saves time and effort, ensuring a smooth and efficient weighing process.

Additionally, digital scales automate the deduction of container weight. When the tare button is pressed, the scale automatically subtracts the weight of the container, resulting in a more accurate measurement of the desired contents. This eliminates the need for manual calculations and reduces the chances of errors that can occur with traditional mechanical scales.

Moreover, digital scales provide enhanced precision and accuracy. The advanced technology and engineering behind these scales allow for more precise measurements, ensuring reliable results. With digital scales, the tare feature optimizes precision by accurately deducting the weight of the container, enabling users to obtain accurate measurements of the net weight.

Furthermore, digital scales offer versatility and flexibility in weighing. They can accommodate various units of measurement, making it easier to switch between different measurement systems such as ounces, pounds, or grams. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for customers who need to weigh items in different units or are operating in a global market where different measurement systems are used.

What is a Tare Weight and How is it Calculated?

The tare weight refers to the weight of a container or box that holds items being measured on a scale. It is usually expressed in units of mass (such as pounds or kilograms). The tare weight is determined by placing the empty container on the scale and pressing the tare button. This action resets the display to zero, effectively subtracting the weight of the container from the total measurement.

By utilizing the tare function, any subsequent items placed inside the container are accurately weighed without including the weight of the container itself. The scale automatically calculates the net weight by subtracting the tare weight (previously determined and stored) from the combined weight of the container and the item.

And it doesn’t always have to be a box or tote that you tare off the scale. Sometimes it can be a person. For example, perhaps a mom or a nurse is holding a baby and needs to get a weight of the child. Or, perhaps a veterinarian needs to get a weight of a dog that wants no part of walking on a scale and standing still. 

*** Key Points to Remember Regarding Zero & Tare on Digital Scales ***

What does the tare function deduct from the weight measurement?
The tare function deducts the weight of the container or any other object from the overall weight measurement. By pressing the tare button after placing the container on the scale, the display is set to zero, effectively subtracting the weight of the container from the subsequent weight measurements.

What does “net” zero mean in relation to the tare function?
A complete “Net” Zero in relation to the tare function, refers to the balance or weight measurement after deducting the weight of the container or any other object. It represents the true weight of the substance being weighed without any additional factors.

When is the Tare function used?
Remember, the tare function is used when there is a need to disregard the weight of a container or any other object placed on the scale. It allows for weighing only the desired substance without including the weight of the container or any other item.

What is the difference between the Tare function and the total or gross zero function?
The tare function is not the same as the total or gross zero function. While the total or gross zero function applies when there is no weight on the scale at all, the tare function focuses on net zero, which is the balance after deducting the weight of the container.

It’s a good idea to have your scales calibrated on a regular basis with certified test weights by state certified scale technicians. This will make sure the zero of each scale or lab balance is set correctly and the span from zero to the max capacity is correct. Contact the service department by calling (919) 776-7737 to get your scales checked.

The Importance of Animal Scale Calibration

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Veterinary clinics and Animal hospitals throughout the triangle area of North Carolina count on Central Carolina Scale to check and calibrate their vet scales on a regular basis. Our state certified scale technicians use certified calibration weights which are ideal weights to use when calibrating animal scales. They ensure your scale is properly calibrated and ready for the requirements of weighing in a wide range of animal care settings.

Weights for Animal Scale Calibration

Consumer weights such as barbells or similar items may not provide an accurate weight to calibrate your scale. For example, a 5-pound consumer weight, such as a barbell, may actually weigh between 4.75 and 5.25 pounds. Compare that to our certified calibration weights which have a manufactured and adjusted tolerance of +/-230 milligrams! Our scale tech’s use a certified calibration weight to ensure your scale is calibrated correctly and presents accurate weighments for proper animal care.

equine weighing scale

Our scale technicians use certified calibration weights ensure the scale is properly calibrated and ready to weigh a wide range of animal needs.

Animal patients can be unpredictable, especially if they are nervous or anxious at veterinary clinics. You may want to look for scales that have a low profile so animals aren’t taking large steps on or off the scale. Some scales may have optional mats to increase animal comfort as they step onto the weighing platform. The scales you use should also be durable and easy to clean. Hard, nonporous ABS plastic surfaces provide an easy-to-clean weighing platform that can withstand claws and accidents.

Functions such as weight recall, tare and movement compensation technology allow operators to record and verify accurate weights for every patient. Movement compensation technology in scales recognizes when a patient is moving or shaking on the weighing platform and accounts for that movement in the final weight display. You may want to consider these scale functions as well as automatic shut-off for long battery life as you search for a scale to meet the needs of your specific practice.

Standardizing the units of measure at your clinic and using scales that allow you to lock the units of measure can help you prevent potentially fatal errors. Some animal scales are able to lock units of measure, meaning the scale won’t accidentally be switched from pounds to kilograms, or vice versa. If a scale is unknowingly changed from kilograms to pounds, medication can be given in dangerously high amounts.

Recently we announced the availability of the new Rice Lake RoughDeck® EQ equine scale. Durability and repeatability are additional factors that should be considered when choosing large animal scales. A weighing system may be accurate when initially installed but fall out of tolerance as it is used. After all, horses are not always well-behaved during the weighing process—especially when they are not feeling well.

Selecting a scale that can handle reluctant patients’ antics, including hoof stomps, and still deliver consistent, stable weights is key for long-term use. Hermetically sealed load cells are ideal so the system can be washed down without damage. Regular inspections and calibrations should also be performed by a local, authorized scale service technician.

For more information on our cattle scales and related animal weighing products or scale calibration services, please call us at (919) 776-7737.