Category Archives: General

Legal For Trade Price Computing Scales State Testing Info You Can Use

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legal for trade price computing scaleEvery year dozens and dozens of our customers either purchase new retail scales or they have their current legal for trade scale calibrated or certified. These are typically scales they can use at places like the farmers market to sell their fruits and vegetables by the pound. Basically any device used where items are bought or sold by weight is typically required by most state’s laws to be inspected and certified. This would include a counter top scale at a farmer’s market (or mechanical hanging scale) that is used to weigh produce that customers want to buy. Of course, inspecting a retail scale is an advantage to both the farmer and the customer.

I’ve mentioned this in the past but if you are buying or selling your items based on weight, you want to make sure that you purchase a scale that has NTEP approval. The certificate of conformance or CoC# should be on the side of the scale. The article below is also a good resource.

Keep in mind that no device is perfect and must be adjusted periodically. It is also recommended that you do not buy cheap quality scales that will likely not last. There are regional inspectors located across the state that will coordinate with the marketer to complete the certification. The inspectors have a set of standard weights calibrated annually for correctness. They will use these weights to test the marketer’s scales. Once you scale has been inspected you need to recertify every two years.  If the scale is out of tolerance (deemed inaccurate) a scale repair service must fix the scale or a new unit must be purchased. Click here to read entire article. Continue reading →

Can I Buy An American Made Floor Scale?

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Over the past few months on this site we have taken a look at how realistic is it to purchase certain types of scales and related equipment that is actually made in the USA. We looked at Made In The USA scale indicators and Built in America Load Cells. Today I wanted to find out if you can still buy a Made In the USA floor scale?

Absolutely! Now I do want to write a small disclaimer before I get started. The information presented below is provided to the best of my knowledge and at the time of this writing is true. As all of you know, the pressures of a shaky economy and increased competition can always force scale manufacturers to change their process. But to my knowledge what I’m writing below is accurate regarding these decks being made in the United States. So with that being said, let’s answer the simple question. Can I still get a floor scale that was actually built in America? Yes you can.

Anytime you think of floor scales built in America the first choice has to be the Pennsylvania Scale 6600 series. The Pennsylvania floor scale is built in either Lancaster PA or at the corporate facility in Terre Haute, IN. These scales are well built and feature an outstanding warranty. As an added bonus, the indicators from Pennsylvania are also made in the USA. Continue reading →

Best Practices For Calibration Test Weights

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Rice Lake’s Metrology department has retained its world class reputation through its highly trained staff and adherence to stringent handling procedures–from receiving, to calibrating, to shipping. The information below from Rice Lake highlights the standard procedure that they use upon receipt of your test weights. Here you’ll also find the best practices that Rice Lake recommends for handling weights and standards to help you maintain the best quality and integrity of your weights.

Recommended shipping procedures for weights
Ship weights in cases and materials designed to withstand and repel the abuses of shipping.
Packaging peanuts should not be used with weights, as this type of packaging clings to the weights creating static electricity which can compromise the lab environment.
Alternative packing material is recommended as follows:
Styrofoam (not peanuts or smaller pieces)
Paper (not shredded as this also conducts static electricity)
Bubble wrap
Loose small weights should have crumpled paper (not shredded) packed soundly in between all weights and box.
Clean room cases should only be used for weight storage and are not recommended for the shipment of weights.
Shipping of heavy weights (10 lb or larger) in cardboard boxes is not recommended.
Larger weights should be individually wrapped or protected, supported with stiff packing material and double boxed for structural durability.
Small weight kits should be held shut with secure latches, rubber bands, or tape, and placed inside boxes or bags.

Rice Lake Weight Handling Procedure
All weights and cases are inspected for damage and scheduled for calibration upon arrival to the lab.
All stickers and marker are removed from the weights.
Precision weights receiving NVLAP Calibration are checked for magnetism.
A tolerance test is conducted.
Any follow up with the client is completed.

Required Standards Conditions
* All delivered standards to this laboratory are required to arrive with the following conditions:

All weights should be clean and in good repair.
Any cleaning, repair, or painting of standards in the metrology lab will incur an extra charge.

Mass Standards
Weights should be clean and in good repair.
Weights shall be identified with a permanent serial number or mark into the surface of the weight.
Stickers and marker are not allowed and will be removed. The added mass of the sticker may change the mass of the weight, possibly causing the weight to be out of tolerance which will invalidate the reported value on the certificate.
Individual weight kits shall also be identified with unique serial numbers.
Cast iron weights should have no evidence of rust, loose paint or adhering debris.
Analytical weights should be handled carefully. Tolerances are small, so dirt or abuse can throw them out of tolerance.

Cases
Interior of cases for weight kits should also be wiped out or vacuumed.
Cases should be sound with secure latches.

So You’re Looking For Cheap Veterinary Scales?

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Quite often we are asked for a set of “cheap vet scales to weigh my ______ (fill in the blank)”.  It could be dogs, cats, llama, alpaca, pigs, sheep, goats, etc… Unfortunately these days when you say the word cheap or affordable or low cost, you almost always have to supply scales that are made in China. And of course when you talk about electronics from overseas, you can get a wide range of quality.  As for made in the USA, we don’t really have many choices for American Made veterinary scales if anyone is interested, but they are more expensive.

So, assuming you still want to stick with the “affordable” vet scales, let’s take a look at a few of the imported vet scale models currently available that we like.

Cheap Veterinary Scales

The Weighsouth VS-2501 vet scale is a heavy duty vet scale that is a really good scale for many applications. This scale is well built and one of our favorites in this market. The price is good and the quality and durability have been impressive. As you can see from the pictures in the link above the scale has a nice digital indicator and adjustable feet.

The Brecknell line of animal and livestock scales is very impressive. They have several smaller scales for weighing small animals. They have three different sizes of the PS500 which are great for vet hospitals. If you need a larger platform and capacity, they offer the PS1000 which has a 1000 pound capacity and 55″ x 20″ platform, the PS2000 which is a larger 59″ x 30″ platform with 2000 pound capacity and the PS3000 with 3000 pound capacity and 39″ x 78″ platform.

The LVS 700 digital scale is an affordable choice especially for individuals looking to weigh their animals at home. The scale is easy to use and the display is easy to read. We have the standard size of this scale and we also have a “Extra Large” version of this scale which is slightly bigger. The platform has small wheels on one end and a handle so it can be carefully transported to another nearby location if needed.

So which vet scale should you purchase? Our suggestion is to contact us and we can walk you through the pros and the cons of each animal scale that we offer. We have sold all of these scales over the years and have experience with them, either directly or through our customers reviews. Give us a call and we can review each of the items with you and make sure that you get the correct vet scale for your particular application. Our main phone number is (919) 776-7737 and the website is www.centralcarolinascale.com if you prefer to email us.

Zemic Load Cell Wiring and Part Numbers

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At Central Carolina Scale, we have a wide range of standard load cells in stock. If you’re looking for custom load cells, we can get quotes on those, usually within one business day.  We also provide weighing assemblies used in tank weighing and batching systems and bulk weighing applications. With over 30,000 quality items available in stock, nobody offers faster, more reliable load cells for your applications. From small tension sensors to 1,000,000 lb capacity truck scale and tank weighing assemblies, we have solutions to fit any need. Our extensive inventory of equipment and accessories means you can get your replacement or new load cell quickly.

Zemic Load Cell Wiring

We currently offer the lineup of Zemic load cells through one of our top suppliers Brecknell Scales. The lineup of Brecknell load cells and supporting products from Zemic are ideal for many weighing applications that you may encounter. The full range of Zemic load cells should compliment and support your service and original equipment requirements. Be sure to visit our site which includes all the Brecknell loadcell info you need. This will also show the load cell wiring color codes for each load cell as well. The types of load cells include S-beam, Single end beam, Double end beam, Single point, Canister, and accessories like load cell feet and summing boards. Many of the Brecknell load cells are interchangeable with the “brand name” load cells that you’re used to. So if your normal brand name load cell is out Continue reading →

Rice Lake Adds New 480 Legend Indicator To Lineup

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The flagship of Rice Lake’s Legend Series, the 480 digital weight indicator has been perfected to provide the very best in performance and value.

Advance to Rice Lake’s Legend Series—classic Rice Lake quality and design with new ideas for tomorrow. As the flagship of Rice Lake’s Legend Series, the 480 digital weight indicator has been perfected to provide the very best in performance and value.

With its stainless steel enclosure and advanced gasket system, the industrial-strength 480 is built for dirty, wet environments and demanding workplaces, inside or out. Advanced circuitry also withstands electrical noise, power disturbances and transient spikes that are common to industrial applications.

Rice Lake’s 480 is the industry’s first choice for readability. With its large, ultra-bright LED display, 0.8 inch digits and sharp contrast, the 480 provides superior display visibility. Its six-button tactile keypad allows for quick navigation and programming. Connect the 480 to a printer, PC or remote display and make use of configurable print formats, time and date function, and local/remote capability.

Whether it’s used in heavy capacity or batching operations, the 480 powers as many as ten 350 ohm load cells in parallel. Engineered with Rice Lake’s advanced digital filtering, the 480 Legend Series promises top speed without sacrificing weight stability.

Is It Alright To Cut Load Cell Cable?

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A customer recently asked us about cutting load cell cable because the cable was too long for his particular application.  The standard line of thinking is that you should not cut load cell cable because it may void the manufacturer’s warranty. Are there any recommendations for altering load cell cable that might be different than cutting?

Actually, there are several things you can do in these types of situations. Many load cell manufacturers recommend NOT altering (shortening) the load cell cable length, and most manufacturers will not honor the warranty on altered products. However, for the majority of load cell installations, any output change resulting from cable length alteration is easily compensated for with a junction box with trimming capability. Excess cable should be coiled and secured within the junction box (if it will fit.) 

If the excess cable will not fit inside the junction box, it will need to be coiled, and secured externally to the junction box with wire ties, or other suitable means. If the cables are routed in conduit, and excess cable will not fit within the junction box, then the only option may be to cut the cable(s) to length.

load cell cable

What if the load cell cable is too short? Well, we recommend avoiding splicing when possible; however, if you need to gain cable length, it is very important to use the correct splicing technique. Ensure the integrity of the cable is maintained, including voltage, current (signal) ratings, shielding, moisture resistance, and tensile strength. Our recommendation is to use a potted cable splicing kit when possible. If you need a reusable splice point, a sealed junction box may be used.  We hope this helps you understand shortening and lengthening load cell cable for specific applications.

Get Started with Central Carolina Scale

We are committed to providing high quality scale repair services for your weighing equipment, factory trained technicians to install and maintain your equipment, including regular calibration, servicing, troubleshooting, and repairs. Contact us today to discuss your scale needs.

The Latest Pennsylvania Scale Update

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We just recently received this update below from Pennsylvania Scale. So we figured that we’d share the update in a simple top 10 list kind of like you might see on late night tv.

Number ten is LOAD CELLS. We sell a lot of load cells. Due to that volume, we can offer attractive pricing for cells such as TANK MOUNTS, S-TYPES, ALTERNATIVE CAPACITIES, TENSION MOUNT KITS, etc. If you are shopping for load cells for your customers,  service facilities, or special projects, please contact us a quotation!

Number nine is SHIPMENTS. The factory just upgraded and added UPS new service for larger-than-parcel but smaller-than-LTL freight packages. This service is ideal for 6400’s and M64’s which are pushing 100 lbs. So if you order a Pennsylvania Scale item, please mention “the new BEST WAY shipping”, and we will automatically upgrade the shipment to the most efficient cost-effective way, including UPS HUNDREDWEIGHT or the new service.

Number eight is FREIGHT DISCOUNTS. The factory in Lancaster PA has some amazing outbound freight rates from popular carriers. Unlike some of the competition Pennsylvania does pass along the outbound volume discount for PREPAY & ADD shipments. You may be very surprised!

Number seven is BAGGAGE SCALE ELECTRONIC KITS are once again hot items as government and aviation spending is finally coming back. 1-4 displays. Keep the existing platform and do both your customers and yourself a huge favor and upgrade to more reliable and serviceable M64 electronics.

Number six is PANEL MOUNT OPTIONS for scale indicators. We have a new design that allows retrofitting of panel-mounted indicators fitting the cut-outs for both the former UMC-600 and UMC700 models as well as the smaller openings for the original UMC-555 models, making exact field replacement easy and efficient. Contact factory for details.

Alright we’re half way home. Number five is HIGH RESOLUTION WEIGHING, many distributors are replacing overcomplicated and hard-to-use “foreign” indicators with Pennsylvania 7600 series indicators in high resolution applications. You can easily ‘push’ resolution on Pennsylvania scales and meters due, in a large part, to the premium A-D converter they use… If you need to add utility and simplify life for your maintenance technicians as well as your employees, try using 7600+ or 7600E units.

Number four is non-standard resolutions and weight units can be easily handled at the factory—including ‘pushed’ resolution (non-NTEP), double/triple ranging, special units of measure (PRIMARY/SECONDARY units—specify with order, n/c). Like a certain fast food burger chain likes to say, special orders don’t upset us – all we ask is that you let us build it your way!

Ok, number three is FAST SHIPPING AND STOCK SHIPMENTS. The factory has added staff and efficiency in Lancaster. Most standard products ship from STOCK or 1-2 day delivery. IF YOU need equipment right away, please ask, we can often get scales and spare parts quickly. Continue reading →

AWTX Launches Redesigned Stainless Steel ProDec Scale

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Based on feedback from end-users and distributors, Avery Weigh-Tronix is pleased to announce the availability of a redesigned ProDec (DSLS) floor scale.

ss prodec floor scaleThe complete stainless steel structure of the ProDec now incorporates hermetically sealed, stainless steel Weigh Bars as standard. Ideal for the hygienic requirements of the Food and Chemical processing industries, the hermetically sealed Weigh Bars are designed with high accuracy and reliability and are NTEP approved.

The DSLS now includes a side access to the stainless junction box to further reduce the chance of food, debris and other matter from getting trapped in the creases of the junction box compartment. The redesigned ProDec is available in standard sizes ranging from 36 x 36 inches to 84 x 60 inches and capacities from 2,000 to 10,000 pounds.

Can I Buy An American Made Load Cell?

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You know we get asked this question usually about once every three months so we figured that we’d throw together a quick write up on the blog to give you an answer to the question.

And that question is, can I buy a Made in the USA load cell?

The answer is……

YES!

american made load cell

We also have a wide variety of Made in the USA load cells from Artech Industries.  They are based in California and build just about every type of load cell that you can imagine in their Riverside, California load cell factory.  Artech Industries is a major supplier of strain gauge load cells / force transducers for a wide variety of industrial and OEM applications. They rely on proven engineering innovations, careful manufacturing and quality control procedures have built an enviable reputation and record of performance since 1985.

We know that buying Made in America weighing products is important to many of our customers and we appreciate your loyalty and share your enthusiasm for Made in the USA equipment. If this is important to you please let us know before we process a quote or before we provide service on your scales. The reason we say this is many times when we are asked to quote on scales or parts we often choose the best overall product (price/durability) and often that is an imported item. So, if Made in the USA is very important to you, let us know and we would be happy to quote you an American Made scale or load cell if we can.