Industrial platform scales are widely used in a range of industries and settings, from food production to mail sorting and even scientific laboratory settings and you will find a wide range available from a large number of suppliers. Finding the right scales for your business is essential and purchasing the highest quality that you can afford will ensure that the investment is profitable in the longer term. There are some basic considerations to look at when it comes to choosing the right scales and these are detailed below.
Capabilities
The capacity you’ll need will depend on the type of products you are processing. Most experts suggest using industrial platform scales with a higher capacity than you are likely to need; 20 to 50 per cent is the ideal. Although this will be more costly, it will minimize the risk of the scales being overloaded on a regular basis – and therefore damaged or destroyed.
Readable and accurate
Accuracy and readability are two factors that should be considered together. Depending on your industry there may be strict regulations relating to accuracy of weights. The highest quality platform scales will offer high levels of accuracy. Readability is also important, so consider the level to which the scales read (be that within a gram or a kilogram). For industries where high accuracy is required, detailed readability is usually the best option.
Square holes and round pegs
The platform itself should be the right size (and shape if necessary) for your standard operations. Allowing items to overhang the platform scale will reduce their accuracy, so along with capacity it’s important to ensure the scale is fitted with a suitable platform for your needs.
Detailed decisions
The position of the display – or the flexibility of where it’s positioned – may be a factor that some businesses will need to consider. Many platform scales will come with a readout unit that can be positioned at a distance from the unit itself and this may be a signifanct factor in some cases. Linking to a computer system may also be required in some situations; this can allow for a range of reports, automation options and label printing. These factors will be dependant on your industry and the process your platform scales are used in but should always be considered.
Long term considerations
In the case of most suppliers, you’ll find that maintenance and/or calibration services are available. Consider the ongoing costs of a system as these will affect your profits in future. A low quality system which needs frequent maintenance may not be the best option when the ongoing costs are factored in!
Hardy Process Solutions is headquartered in San Diego, California and the firm is renowned for its innovative technology. Servicing a range of industries from the food and chemical industry to the mining and metal industry, Hardy Process Solutions has been providing solutions for process control for over 90 years and is the best place to purchase industrial platform scales.
