Metrology Glossary: Weigh Scale

What Is A Weigh Scale?

A weighing scale, also known as a mass scale, weight scale, mass balance, or weight balance, is a crucial device used for the precise determination of an object’s weight or mass. These scales come in a variety of sizes and types, from small laboratory balances to heavy-duty industrial models, and are calibrated to display measurements in specific units such as grams, kilograms, ounces, or pounds, depending on the intended use. Calibration is an essential process to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the scale’s weight measurements, involving adjustments and testing to guarantee consistent and precise readings.

What Are Weigh Scales Used For?

  • Manufacturing and Industry: Verifying the precision of product weights, maintaining quality control standards, and complying with regulatory requirements.
  • Logistics and Transportation: Measuring the weight of trucks, containers, and cargo to facilitate secure and efficient transportation and to accurately calculate weight-based fees.
  • Agriculture and Livestock: Determining the weight of animals to monitor their health, manage feed effectively, and establish market values.
  • Laboratory Balances: Conducting ultra-precise weighing for scientific research, medical testing, and the development of pharmaceuticals.
Scale and Weight Calibration test weights

Related Terms

Products and Services

Further Reading

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For most operations and maintenance departments, precision calibration of measurement equipment is a necessary evil. It’s time consuming and requires a great deal of paperwork. But when that inspector comes around, either from the FDA, ISO or another governing body, and you can produce all the required certs and answer
June 16, 2017
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Kapstone Truck Scale System Readout
Scale conversion from analog to digital signal is a hot topic in the weighing industry. Even the definition of what makes a scale digital is a topic of debate. For our purposes we are going to consider both those that convert the signal from analog to digital in the load
November 16, 2021
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Metrology Glossary: Weigh Scale 3
Choosing a scale seems like a simple task: just make sure the scale can hold what you usually weigh and the display shows the right number of digits. In reality, there is a little more you need to know to choose the best scale for your application. If you know
January 21, 2020
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Navigator™ Multi-Purpose Portable Balances from Ohaus
Even if your balance is calibrated on a regular interval, there are several factors that could be impacting the accuracy and repeatability of your measurements on a day to day basis. The location and environment that your balance is used in can have an effect on repeatability –even if the
July 25, 2017
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Measurement Units, Displays, Readouts

Equipment Parts and Components

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Did you know… Cross Company is an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). Our ESOP started in 1979 and as of 2006, we are 100% employee-owned! Learn more about our ESOP and how that benefits both team members and our customers.
Did you know... the precision measurement group at Cross was founded in 1939 by our current CEO's grandfather, Jim King. That's a whole lot of calibration!
Did you know... A fingerprint weighs about 50 micrograms. We know, we weighed it! The residue left from a finger can actually make a difference in weight results which is why we wear gloves when we calibrate weights. For reference, a sheet of paper is about 4.5 grams, that’s 4.5 million micrograms.
Did you know… Cross Company has grown significantly since our start in 1954. Over the years we've acquired 26 companies! Today, our five groups have expertise in everything from industrial automation to precision measurement, and industry knowledge going all the way back to 1939.