Scales are a great example of everyday technology that we tend to take for granted. For many people, scales were something to play with when you were bored in chemistry class, or held by a statue outside of the local courthouse. Outdated and antiquated, they just don’t seem to have much place in our day to day lives. However, scales can be found just about everywhere, if you know where to look. What’s more is the technology behind the scales we use today is actually pretty advanced.
Most people consider a scale to be completely a mechanical device. Whatever your weighing goes on one end, and the other is counterbalanced with pre-measured weights until balance is achieved. This is similar to the weight scales you would find in your doctor’s office. However, most scales you see today are digital. Digital scales are found in the grocery store, weigh stations for trucks, and even your household bathroom scale. But how do they work? Since there’s no counter balance to slide or adjust, how does it figure out the weight? The key to digital scales are a fairly simple piece of technology, they are powered by a pressure transducer which converts mechanical energy to electric energy.
Rather than using a counter balance, a scale transducer measures the mechanical energy (the pressure applied to the weight plate or scale itself) and converts it to electrical energy. The mechanical energy generates a current which is then translated to the digital readout. The result? The total weight of the item on the scale! Scales with a transducer are not only more efficient, but are remarkably more accurate than a standard mechanical scale, which is why they’re implemented in almost everything in the modern world that has to do with weight or pressure.
While a transducer is a sophisticated piece of technology, it does take some careful consideration to implement properly. A scale that isn’t installed correctly or properly calibrated can lead to several headaches down the road. For businesses where weight is important, having a scale that isn’t accurate can lead to a huge loss in profits. For professional installation, calibration and maintenance, it’s important to go where the experience is. Contact Garber Metrology at 717-393-1708 or at www.garbermetrology.com to speak with the ISO certified and accredited experts there. From sales and service, to installation and maintenance, Garber has been servicing the mid-atlantic region for close to since 1975. Trust the weight of experience and contact Garber Metrology today.
