1

I. OBJECTIVES
1. To learn the principle and operation
2. To learn the calibration
3. To determine the accuracy and sensitivity
4. To determine the leverage ratio

II. THEORY AND PRINCIPLE

The measurement of quantity of materials can be made directly by weight or
volume or inferred from some other property such as pressure or velocity. The inferential
methods are used mainly for fluid-quantity measurements.

Weighing is a primary method of measuring forces, and volumetric devices are

calibrated initially by direct weighing. Scales have been constructed to weigh a million
pounds or more (testing machines), while the chemical balance, at the opposite extreme,
will easily weigh a millionth of a pound.

P
B
R
k f
F

W W
2 2
W

PLATFORM

d b c

h
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Platform scales are probably used more in engineering work about a power plant
than any other measuring device, and usually young engineers do not very well understand
their operation. They consist essentially of a device by which a load is applied to a system
of levers, of long and short arms, arranged so that a load on the platform can be balanced
by weights applied at the end of a final lever called the beam, or by shifting poise along
the length of this latter lever. Essentially, it is like the weighing devices shown in the figure.
This weighing beam is usually placed on an upright post at one end of the platform.

All weight scale and balance calibrations are performed in our environmentally
controlled laboratories (both temperature and humidity are closely monitored 68°F with
relative humidity not to exceed 40%) to give the lowest degree of measurement uncertainty.
Preparation of your precision measurement test equipment is just as important as the
calibration. For weight scales and balances the test instrumentation is thoroughly cleaned
and inspected and allowed typically 24 to 72 hours to stabilize the temperature (thermal
equilibrium) of the instrument. Common items checked for during preparation for
calibration of your item include location, condition, cleanliness, drafts, temperature, poor
table balance, level, etc. Preparation varies and is equipment specific.

Why micro quality calibration?

 Accredited to the highest standards

 Leading State-of-the-art equipment
 Environmentally controlled multi-laboratory facility
 In-house and onsite calibration services available
 Proprietary calibration software gives customers 24/7 access to certificates,
equipment lists, recall reports, calibration data, and more
 Each calibration / repair comes with certificate traceable to N.I.S.T, calibration
data, standards used, and barcode for inventory tracking
 Ability to repair any instrument we calibrate to the component level and certify to
Manufacturer, Federal, Military and Industrial specifications
 No subcontracting to 3rd parties
 OEM Trained Technicians
 Fast 5 business day turnaround time (expedite services available)
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 Free pick-up and delivery with shipments of seven (7) items or more (regionally)
 Rest assured your valuable precision measurement test equipment will be
packaged, picked-up, delivered, and shipped with care
 Global shipping
 Sales of over 160 lines of new / used precision measurement equipment (sale items
are calibrated at no charge)
 Ability to calibrate Primary, Secondary and Working Standards in each category
 Technical Support Available

A balance scale measures weight by comparing the unknown weight on one side of
a lever to a known weight on the other side. The scale at the doctor’s office is a physician’s
balance scale, and a scale commonly found in a high school chemistry lab is a triple beam
balance scale. Both use the principles of balancing a known and an unknown weight across
a lever to determine gravitational mass or weight. Although these scales are usually
calibrated at the factory and are very accurate, moving the scales, heavy usage and
environmental factors such as temperature and humidity may cause them to go out of
calibration, resulting in inaccurate weights. Test and calibrate your balance scale regularly
to maintain accuracy.
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Industrial Weighing Scales

Designs and supplies industrial weighing scales for a variety of applications and
industries from solid waste to agriculture, petrochemical, food, transportation, retail,
pharmaceutical and medical. As a mechanical or electronic device, industrial weighing
scales are found everywhere in households, meat processing plants, scientific laboratories,
stores, shipping depots and warehouses. Used to measure the weight or mass of an object
or substance, our scales fall into several categories from scales used in a laboratory to scales
used in warehouses and grocery stores. Click on any of the following for more information.
 5

Kinds of Industrial Weighing Scales

 Aircraft Scales - scales for weighing private, commercial and military aircraft.

 Bench Scales - weighing devices for use on a bench, table or counter. They come
in two main forms, all in one or detachable. Bench scales are used for a variety of
applications, such as parcel weighing, parts counting, portion control and many
others.

 Checkweighers - scales for weight range verification at high or moderate speeds.

 Crane Scales - devices for overhead material weighing. They can be often be
found at the ports for offloading of ships. Crane scales have two functions, one is
to give you the weight of an item, the other is to ensure operators do not overload
the crane or hoist.

 Counting Scales - devices used to count parts saving you time and money.

 Digital Scales - digital scales for weighing and displaying the results in a digital
format.

 Drum Scales - industrial weighing scales for measuring the weight of drums or
barrels.

 Food Scales - include all scales used in the food processing industry.

 Fabric Scales - scales for weighing all fabric related materials.

 Pallet Floor Scales - weighing scales for use on the floor.

 Indicators - digital electronic display units that can be used with platform base
units or retrofitted to existing scales and balances.
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 Intrinsically Safe Scales - a device designed specifically for hazardous areas and
corrosive environments.

 Lab Scales - weighing scales or analytical balances for all spectrums of the modern
laboratory. Regardless of whether you are in the pharmaceutical industry, work in
a quality control laboratory, a university, college or school, we have the right scale
for you.

 Load Cells - kind of transducer or sensor which converts force into a measurable
electrical output.

 Mechanical Scales - platform, beam and spring scales for general industrial use.

 Moisture Analyzers - moisture analyzers for the laboratory and many other routine
moisture analysis applications.

 Pallet Truck Scales - transforms a pallet truck into an accurate weighing scale.

 Platform Scales - scales for weighing objects using a flat platform that is can be
very low to the ground for easy access or that can be wide enough to handle larger
items.

 Portion Scales - scales for use within the food industry for the preparation of
ingredients. They are also used for portion control and portion packaging, i.e., pre
packed goods, filling of canned goods or the mixing of seasonings or ingredients.

 Postal Scales - scales for all types of shipping and mailing applications.

 Precision Scales - scales for providing accurate and precise weighing

measurements.
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 Rail Scales - weighing scales attached to a rail system in a meat plant for
transporting carcasses.

 Retail Scales - weighing devices used in shops and grocery stores for selling goods
by weight.

 Sartorius Scales - we offer high quality weighing solutions including the Combics,
Midrics and the impressive new Signum series.

 Shipping Scales - scales for shipping applications where volume is a key issue.

 Touch Screen Industrial Computers - ruggedized industrial computers for use with
scales in dusty wash down environments.

 Truck Scales - heavy-duty scales used to measure vehicles like rigs or tankers.

 Vacuum Sealers/Packagers - sealing machines for storing and preserving all kinds
of food for sale in a supermaket, deli or convenience store.

Calibration of Platform Scales

A large weight W is placed on the platform to be balanced by a small weight on the

beam B and the poise R. If the weight P alone (with the poise R at zero) balances the weight
W, then it follows, according to the law of moments, for the symbols given for dimensions
in the figure, that

k W d W e b
P F    
f 2 h 2 c h

If the scales are constructed so that

e b d
 
c h h
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Then

k d
P W  ,
f h

And the leverage ratio is

P df
F  .
W kh

In order to obtain the leverage ratio by direct measurement, the platform must be
removed. Then measure carefully the distances between the knife edges of the various
levers and also the length occupied by the 50 or 100 divisions on the graduated beam. One
will save considerable time if these measurements are made with a decimal scale. From
these data and the equation given, the leverage ratio can be obtained.

A better method of obtaining the leverage ratio consists of balancing a standard

weight on the poise with a standard weight on the platform. Then from these data calculate
the leverage ratio. An examination of the weights placed on the poise will show that these
weights are marked with their actual weight and the weight they are supposed to balance
on the platform. In case the scales do not balance in making this test, a little shot can be
added to the poise or weight until a balance is obtained.

In calibrating platform scales against known weights, the scales should first be
thrown out of adjustment; that is, the “adjusting” counterpoise (on the threaded rod of the
graduated beam) should be moved from its present setting. To readjust the platform scales,
the “adjusting” counterpoise is moved until a balance is obtained. This should be done
without any weight on the scales. Standard weights now should be placed on the scale in
5-pound increments and the scales calibrated. The weights should be removed in a similar
manner and the scales calibrated as the weights are removed. It is also well to calibrate the
scales with weights placed at the four corners and compare these values with those obtained
with weights at the center.
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The sensitiveness of the scale is determined by finding the smallest added weight
that will affect the balanced position of the beam first with no load and then with a 50 –
pound load upon the scales. This result will not be the same for different observers, as the
result depends on how closely the beam is observed.
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III. LIST OF APPARATUS

1. Analog Platform Balance
2. Digital Platform Balance
3. Set of Standard Weights (6 pcs – 15kg)
4. Set of Counterweights
5. Screwdriver
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IV. PROCEDURE
A. Test for Accuracy
1. Start by setting the scale to zero reading and setting the beam between its lower and
upper stops by making screw adjustment.
2. With an initial 15 kg standard weight placed on the corner of the platform, adjust
the movable poise so that the beam is centered and obtain the reading.
3. Then, transfer the load to one of the corners of the platform and adjust the poise
again if necessary to obtain the new reading.
4. Then, move the load to the next corner of the platform and again adjust the poise to
obtain another reading.
5. For the last two corners of the platform, repeat the above steps in obtaining their
corresponding weights.
6. For trial 2, load two 15 kg standard weights on the platform.
7. Repeat the above procedures for the succeeding trials by increase the load of 15 kg
increment.
8. Calculate the average reading for each trial and determine the percent difference.

B. Test for Sensivity

1. Adjust the movable poise slowly and stop as soon as the beam is centered. Obtain
the initial reading.
2. Adjust the poise again to the left slowly and stop as soon as the beam touches the
upper stops. Obtain the new reading.
3. Balance the beam again by moving the poise to its initial position as of step no. 2
4. Then move the poise to the right and stop as soon as the beam touches the lower
stops. Obtain the new reading.
5. For succeeding trials, add the load by 15 kg increment and repeat the above
procedure for the rest of the trials.
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C. Leverage Ratio
1. Set the scale to a zero reading.
2. Load 90 kg on a platform balance.
3. Add counter weight and adjust the movable poise until the beam is in midway the
two stops. Get the reading.
4. Remove the 90-kg load on the platform and measure the counter weights used in
step 3.
5. Divide the measured weight by the load to obtain the leverage ratio.
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V. SET-UP OF APPARATUS
A. Test for Accuracy

Analog

For analog, the set-up is illustrated above at Figure 02. There is a set of standard
weights which weigh 15kg each, starting at 15kg of weight or 1 piece in the set of weights
and measuring it to the 4 corners and to the center, which then incremented by 15kg of
weight in every scenario.

Then measure the calibrated analog platform balance as indicated in the reading,
the counter weights are the weights placed on the other end of the measuring unit of the
analog platform balance.

Digital

For digital, the set-up is illustrated at the figure below. The procedure in the analog
part of the experiment will be the same as here, the difference between the two is that this
digital type don’t use counter weights and place an accurate result compare to the analog
type.
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B. Test for Sensitivity

This part is applicable into an analog type platform balance because it is where the
measuring arm of the device is touching the down part and the other is the upper part of
the stopper. We use this to have more accurate result, and then we get the two readings and
then get the average.
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C. Leverage Ratio

It is when we divide the reading on the balance of the standard weight to the weight of
the counter weight.
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VI. FINAL DATA SHEET

A. Accuracy (Analog)

Beam Readings
%
Trial Platform Load (kg) Corners Average Difference
Center Difference
1 2 3 4

1 15 15 15 15 15 15 15.08 0.08 0.53

2 30 30.2 30 29.8 30 29.8 29.96 0.04 0.13

3 45 45.6 45 45.2 45 45.4 45.24 0.24 0.53

4 60 60.2 59.8 59.6 59.8 60 59.88 0.12 0.2

5 75 75.6 75.4 74.4 74.6 74.8 74.96 0.04 0.05

6 90 90.6 90.6 89.6 89.4 90 90.04 0.04 0.04

B. Accuracy (Digital)

Beam Readings
Platform Load %
Trial Corners Average Difference
(kg) Center Difference
1 2 3 4

1 15 14.9 14.9 14.9 14.9 14.9 14.9 0.1 0.66

2 30 29.9 29.9 29.95 29.95 29.93 0.07 0.23 0.53

3 45 44.9 44.9 44.9 44.9 44.9 44.9 0.1 0.22

4 60 59.8 59.8 59.8 59.8 59.8 59.8 0.2 0.33

5 75 74.65 74.65 74.7 74.7 74.65 74.68 0.32 0.43

6 90 89.4 89.4 89.45 89.45 89.4 89.42 0.58 0.65

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C. Sensitivity

Upper Stops Lower Stops

Trial Std. Weights
Initial Rdg. Final Rdg. Diff Initial Rdg. Final Rdg. Diff

1 15 15 14.4 0.6 15 15.6 0.6

2 30 30 29.4 0.6 30 30.6 0.6

3 45 45 44.2 0.8 45 45.8 0.8

4 60 59.6 58.8 0.8 59.6 60.6 1

5 75 74.8 71.8 1.0 74.8 75.8 1

6 90 89.8 88.8 1.0 89.8 90.8 1

D. Leverage Ratio

Digital Analog
Counter Wts.
Reading LR Reading LR

50 0.5 0.1 0.6 0.012

100 0.95 0.0095 1 0.01

100 0.95 0.0095 1.2 0.012

200 2 0.1 2 0.01

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VII. SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS

A. Accuracy (Analog) Trial 1

Given: 15kg

15.2 + 15.2 + 15 + 15 + 15
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 = = 15.08𝑘𝑔
5

𝐴𝑉 − 𝐴𝑣𝑒 |15 − 15.08|

%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = = 𝑥100 = 0.53%
𝐴𝑉 15

B. Accuracy (Digital) Trial 1

Given: 15kg

14.9 + 14.9 + 14.9 + 14.9 + 14.9

𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 = = 14.9𝑘𝑔
5

𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓 = 15 − 14.9 = 0.1𝑘𝑔

𝐴𝑉 − 𝐴𝑣𝑒 |15 − 14.9|

%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = = 𝑥100 = 0.66%
𝐴𝑉 15

C. Sensitivity Trial 1

Upper Stops

𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = |𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔| = |15 − 14.4| = 0.6𝑘𝑔

Lower Stops

𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = |𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔| = |15 − 15.6| = 0.6

D. Leverage Ratio Trial 1 (Counter Weight 50) Given : 0.5 and 0.6 (respectively)

𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔(𝑃) 0.5
𝐿𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜(𝐿𝑅) = = = 0.01(𝐷𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙)
𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡(𝑊) 50
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𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔(𝑃) 0.6
𝐿𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜(𝐿𝑅) = = = 0.012(𝐴𝑛𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑔)
𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡(𝑊) 50

VIII. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

This experiment has four parts in testing platform scale, these are Test for accuracy
(analog), test for accuracy (Digital), test for sensitivity (platform scale), and leverage ratio.
These are all used for calibration of the platform balance.

The first part of the experiment, test for accuracy (analog), all of the measured
weight into the four corners and at the center should be identical for the platform balance
to be said as accurate whenever you are weighing an object at any side or part of the
platform balance.

For the second part of the experiment, test for accuracy (digital), this is the same as
the first part, the difference between the two is that it uses the digital way of getting the
measured weight, it also not necessary to use counter weight in the digital way because it
is automatically added to the weight as what the counter weight does into the analog way.
The digital way put better results than the analog type.

For the third part of the experiment, test for sensitivity (platform scale), this is also
the same as the first part does, but in this manner, the initial and final reading was used to
be more accurate than the first part, because it gives two results which can give an average
reading, and also it is easier to get the initial and final reading than getting the actual
measurement of weight at once.

For the fourth part of the experiment, leverage ratio, it gives us on how the counter
weight acts on the device, the ratio is what the counter weight does in to the reading of an
analog type platform balance.
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IX. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. What is the difference between precision and accuracy? Can a measurement be very
precise but inaccurate? Explain.
Accuracy refers to the closeness of the measured or calculated value to the true
value whereas precision represents the number of significant digits or the closeness of
different measurements of the same quantity to each other. A measurement or
calculation can be very precise without being very accurate, and vice-versa. When
measuring the boiling temperature of pure water at standard atmospheric conditions,
for example, a temperature measurement of 97.861°C is very precise, but not as
accurate as the less precise measurement of 99.0°C.

2. What are the disadvantages and advantages of a digital platform balance?

The advantages are it is easy to use, determination of weight can be obtained with
less time than in conventional scale and more accurate than the conventional scale,
while the disadvantages are it is expensive than the conventional platform scale and it
needs electrical power in order to be used.

3. What is the sensitivity analysis?

A sensitivity analysis is a technique used to determine how different values of an
independent variable impact a particular dependent variable under a given set of
assumptions. Sensitivity analysis, also referred to as what-if or simulation analysis, is
a way to predict the outcome of a decision given a certain range of variables. By
creating a given set of variables, the analyst can determine how changes in one variable
impact the outcome.

4. Explain what an analog instrument is.

The analogue instruments indicate the magnitude of the quantity in the form of the
pointer movement. One has to learn reading such instruments since there are certain
markings on the scale. They usually indicate the values in the whole numbers, though
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one can get the readings up to one or two decimal places also. The readings taken in
decimals places may not always be entirely correct, since some human error is always
involved in reading.
5. What is a leverage ratio?
Leverage ratio is the ratio between the weight of the counterweight and the
measured weight of the standard load.
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X. CONCLUSION
This experiment focused on the calibration of the platform balance both analog and
digital type. This experiment have four objectives which are to be able to learn the principle
behind the operation of a weighing scale, to learn how to calibrate a platform balance, to
determine the accuracy and sensitivity of a platform scale, and to determine the leverage
ratio.

In the accuracy test, the analog and digital way of determining the weight at the
four corners and at the center should be the same, the outputs that we get are very near to
the actual data, therefore we are doing the experiment correctly.

For the sensitivity test, the procedures are the same and concepts are the same but
the difference is that it has initial reading and final reading, which yields to a more reliable
source because it is much easier to get the two readings compare in getting the actual result
in just one trial. The readings that we get are very close to the actual weights, therefore we
are doing the experiment correctly.

For the leverage ratio, by getting the measured weight and the weight of the counter
weight that is place into the other end of the beam and the computation is just the quotient
of measured weight to the counter weight.

Calibration of any platform scale is very important, is it because an improper or

inaccurate reading can make a big effect on the design of the object that is weigh and these
ways of calibrating the platform balance are important, easy to do, and make sure that the
result that you will get into a calibrated platform scale is accurate.
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XI. REFERENCES
 http://www.detecto.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/0066-M110-O1_854F-954F.pdf
 http://counting.centralcarolinascale.com/how-to-buy.htm
 http://www.aandd.jp/products/manual/balances/hvw-g.pdf
 http://www.interweigh.ca/scales.htm