Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Analytical Balances

Analytical balance, as suggested by the name is an instrument used for analysis of mass. It determines the mass of the matter accurately and precisely. It is designed to measure small masses in milligram range, usually for experiment purposes. It is very sensitive so it can measure even the smallest of changes. It is basically used in chemical experiments, especially quantitative analysis. As we all know in quantitative analysis, accuracy is the key. In almost all analytical experiments, weighing the sample is always important for the reagents to be used in the preparation of the solution. The smallest of the masses have to be measured correctly otherwise large variations may be produced in the result. Now, as an analytical balance is so accurate, precise and sensitive, it is also pretty expensive. The most common type of analytical balance has a capacity of 100g and a sensitivity of 0.1mg. At All Scale Shop we have plenty of analytical balances and today we’d like to discuss how they work and what sets them apart from other balances.

Here’s how the parts of an analytical balance work:
Analytical Balances 
It consists of: An enclosed glass fitted case, a base plate, Beam Balance, and Stirrups. The working part, that is, the beam balance is actually enclosed in a glass case with doors. It is kept in such a way so that dust does not collect and so any air currents in the room do not affect the balance's operation. This enclosure is often called a draft shield.  The base plate is generally of black slate or black glass. The knife edges of the beam balance support the stirrups from which the pans are suspended. There is another knife edge in the middle (facing downwards) to support the beam balance on the bottom. When the balance is not in use and the pans are loading or unloading, the balance should be arrested.

Principle of working:
The working principle comes from the old arm balance. We used to balance both sides of the pan by
adding or taking out weights. The torque exerted by an unknown mass on one side of a pivot opposes the torque on the other side. The position of the pointer is noted. When it returns to the center, the torques are equal and weight can be calculated. Electronic analytical scales measure the force needed to counter the mass being measured rather than using actual masses. As such they must have calibration adjustments made to compensate for gravitational differences. They use an electromagnet to generate a force to counter the sample being measured and outputs the result by measuring the force needed to achieve balance. Such measurement device is called electromagnetic force restoration sensor.  Modern electronic laboratory balances work on the principle of magnetic force restoration. The force exerted by the object being weighed is lifted by an electromagnet. A detector measures the current required to oppose the downward motion of the weight in the magnetic field.

There are a few factors that affect an analytical balance:
Temperature: Slight change in temperature causes large variation in results. A constant temperature should be maintained while using an analytical balance. Also, the temperature should not be too hot or too cold as it may result in expansion or contraction.

Vibrations and air currents also tend to disturb the balance. It should be kept in a disturbance free environment to get error free results.

Always calibrate the equipment, it ensures an accurate reading. Some balances have internal calibration feature while labs conduct their own calibrations in some. It is recommended that you test your balance every few months and calibrate if needed.

If you have any questions about analytical scales, please contact us at All Scale Shop at 201-475-9184. A scales and balances expert will be happy to assist you.

Monday, January 23, 2017

Laboratory Balances

To offer effective laboratory services and operations you need accurate laboratory balances, so we at All Scale Shop take our selection of laboratory balances and laboratory scales seriously. They possess many functions such as tablet counting, description preparation, percentage calculation and much more. Different types of laboratory balances display different measurement units like grams, kilograms, and milligrams. One of the major advances of our laboratory balances is their small sizes as well as the usability and weight range.

Laboratory Balances
Our laboratory balances are known for their high accuracy and resolution. Weight plates come in different sizes and are usually stainless and a tarring function can also be used. We also offer paper balances for our machines. These are high resolution or precision devices that determine the basis weight in relation to a square meter of the material. This is the most accurate way to determine the basis tissue/ paper weight. Depending on the model you are using or you want, these laboratory scales have a two or three year guarantee.

Our laboratory scales are delivered with a network component, but they can also be battery powered except for the mechanical devices. Some machines such as the moisture balances are able to determine the humidity of products placed inside them so as to analyze the weight of the product. The ones with weights that ranges in milligrams most of the time have an internal calibration device that adjusts the balance weight, therefore you don’t need an external calibration weight. Most of our laboratory balances have an RS-232 interface for easy transfer of data to a PC.

Some of our laboratory balances do not need to be powered and doesn’t need batteries due to their construction. These kinds of laboratory balances are well suited for demonstration purposes in many schools and universities. Other laboratory balances like PCE-MA 200 determines the moisture content of materials weighed on it, the heating chambers are heated and used to dry the materials to be weighed then it calculates the moisture contact from the actual weight and gives you the difference.

There are also the laboratory balances that are designed to meet the need of industry and commercial user. They offer a wide range of application such as parts counting, density determination, and weighing. Visit our website and see all our laboratory balances and laboratory scales available for your laboratory operations.

At All Scale Shop we have plenty of laboratory balances to choose from. If you would like to learn more or have any questions, please call us at 201-475-9184. 

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Jewelry Scales

Having a jewelry scale is a good idea whether you are planning to sell, buy or make jewelry. Each scale should have at least 0.1 gram readability for an accurate weight of your precious metal, gemstones, semi-precious stones and much more. When buying a jewelry scale, knowing which weighing units you’ll be using is advisable. Weight units include grams, troy ounces, grains, pennyweight dwt and ounces oz. Consider the weight units and the items you will weigh more often, then buy the jewelry scale you need the most. At All Scale shop we’ve been a provider of jewelry scales for over thirty years. Before purchasing a jewelry scale we’d like you to consider the following factors that will ultimately help find the right scale for you.

Jewelry Scales
Ounces and grams are the most common weight units used in jewelry shops and industries. There are preferred because of their precision scales, but some of these precision scales offer the weight units of carats (CT). They are commonly used to weigh stones and gems. They Troy Ounces or dwt are used in weighing precious metal and Grains are used for gunpowder.

If you want to weigh your jewelry stones, gem or metal in milligrams, it’s not easy because most of the jewelry scales only display in grams. This means that a scale that displays 0.0001g = 1mg or 0.01g = 10mg. Others have the term TCW meaning Total Carat Weight. The term refers to the total weight of all the stones that are in one piece of jewelry such as a ring or a pair of earrings.

Know the size and portability.
Knowing the size of the jewelry scale is good depending on where you will use it. If you need to carry it to various locations, then you should consider a compact and portable one. However, if you are placing it in your store, then you may select a different size that will meet your needs. If you need with high accuracy, then you need to get a digital one with high capacity and accuracy.

Another thing you need to know before you buy a jewelry scale is the federal or local government requirements. Depending on the requirements of your local government, you may need to buy a jewelry scale that has been approved for retail trade use. You need a scale that is legal for trade. This means you should check with your local authority to determine what requirements you need for your scale to be approved for legal trade. Most of these requirements are considered when you intend to 
use the scale for commercial applications where products are commonly sold by weight.

To learn more about our jewelry scales at All Scale Shop or if you have any questions about our products, please call us today at 201-475-9184. Our specialists will be happy to assist you. sac