Industrial Weight scales have a large number of applications. Scales can be used for shipping, warehouse, general weighing, analytical and parts counting scale and digital industrial cranes can be used for super heavy loads.

A weighing scale is used industrially and commercially to weigh objects from feathers to tractors. A weighing scale measures the weight or mass of an object. A balance for instance measures accurately the mass of an object. Gravitational force affecting the balance cancels out leaving the measure of mass. Mass is measured in grams, kilograms, pounds, ounces or slugs.

The original form of a weight scale consisted of a beam with a fulcrum at its center. To determine the mass of an object, a combination of reference weights was hung at one end of the beam while the object was hung at the other end. In order to reduce the need for large reference weights, an off-center beam can be used. To reduce the need for small graduated reference weights, a sliding weight called poise can be installed so that it can be positioned along a calibrated scale.

For large, awkward loads, a platform can be floated on a cantilever beam system, which brings the proportional force to a nose-iron bearing. This pulls on a still yard rod to transmit the reduced force to a convenience-sized beam. Example is the portable beam scale. The additional beams and pivots reduce accuracy and accuracy is achieved only by very expensive adjustments.

A spring weighing scale can measure forces passing through it in any direction. It measures gravitational force applied by any object by the displacement of the spring caused by the object. Spring scale measures force in Newton’s. The spring scales legal for commerce can be calibrated for accurate measurement of mass in the location where they are used. They can measure in kilograms and pounds.

In the case of high capacity loads, crane scales are used which use hydraulic force to sense weight. The force is applied to a piston and transmitted through hydraulic lines to a dial indicator.

In most countries the design and service of scales used for commerce are regulated by government inspectors who regularly check on calibration. In U.S.A, NIST Handbook44 is the bible for industrial and commercial scales.

Some of the world’s leading manufacturers of weigh scales are Ohaus, Tanita, Chatillon Amitek, CAS and Silitek. Weighing scales have achieved high degree of sophistication. An Ohaus Voyager Analytical Balance has auto internal calibration, statistics, formulation, differential weighing, density determination, pipette calibration, percent animal and check weighing- gross/net/tare weighing, LCD display and five operating languages.