1.

Preparations before calibration

Before you can start the calibration of the weighing instrument, you should
clarify a few things and get prepared.

You should find out the technical characteristics of the weighing instrument
(max weight, d value), the accuracy requirement (max error allowed and
uncertainty) and what to do if the calibration fails (adjustment).

Typically, the whole measurement range is calibrated and the calibration is

performed in the location where the instrument is being used. Make sure
you have enough weights for the calibration procedure available.

The weighing instrument should be switched on at least 30 minutes before

the calibration. The temperature of the weights should be stabilized to the
same temperature where the calibration is to be done.

The weighing instrument should be at a horizontal level, especially for small

and accurate weighing instruments. Perform a few pre-tests by placing
weights close to the maximum of the range on the instrument and to ensure
it works normally.

In case the weighing instrument fails in calibration and it is adjusted, you

should make an “as found” calibration before adjustment and an “as left”
calibration after adjustment.

Next, let’s take a look at the different tests that should be done during the
calibration.

2.
receptor, as illustrated in the picture below.
 The above picture is for rectangular and round load receptors, but naturally
in practice there are many different shapes of load receptors and the
location of the load will vary. Standards OIML R76 and EN 45501 will give
guidance for different load receptor shapes.

The calibration procedure should specify where to place the load during the
test and calibration results (in certificate format) should also document the
locations.

The test load used in an eccentricity test should be at least one third (1/3)
of the max load of the weighing instrument. The test should preferably be
done using just one test load, if possible. That way it is easier to be sure
that the load’s center of gravity is in the specified location. For a weighing
instrument with multiple ranges, the eccentricity test should be done with
the highest range.

As the aim of the eccentricity test is to find out the difference caused by the
location of the load, it is not necessary to have an accurate calibrated load.
It is naturally important to use the same load through the test.

If the eccentricity test is used also to determine the errors of the indication,
then a calibrated load should be used.

Procedure for the eccentricity test

The indication is zeroed before the test. The test load is placed to location
1 and indication is recorded. The test load is then moved to location 2 to 5
and indication is recorded in each location. Finally, the test load is placed
again to location 1 to check that the indication has not drifted from the
earlier indication in location 1.

The zero may be checked between each location to see that it has not
changed. If necessary, the instrument can be zeroed in between each test.

Alternatively, you may also tare the instrument when the load is in location
number 1, as this makes it easier to see any difference between locations.

3.

4.
Linearity
In a weighing test, using multiple points through the measurement range of
the instrument helps to reveal any issues with linearity. Linearity issues
means that the instrument does not measure equally accurate throughout
the range. Even the zero and full span are correct, there may be errors in
the middle of the range, which is referred as linearity errors, or unlinearity
(or nonlinearity).

Below picture is a general illustration of unlinearity. Even instrument’s zero

and full range are adjusted correctly, there is error in the midrange due to
unlinearity of the instrument:
Hysteresis
Hysteresis is the difference in the indication when a test point is
approached with increasing or decreasing weight. To find out any
hysteresis issues in the instrument, you need to calibrate with increasing
and decreasing points.

In a weighing test, when increasing or decreasing the load, it is important

not to overshoot or undershoot. This means that when you increase the
load, you must approach each test point with increasing weight. You should
not add too much weight and then remove it, because then you lose the
hysteresis information.

Likewise, with decreasing points, make sure that you approach each point
with decreasing weight. Obviously, in order to be able do this, the usage of
the test loads should be well planned in advance.

Picture below is a general illustration of hysteresis. When instrument is

calibrated, the results are different with increasing and decreasing
calibration points:
5. Minimum weight test
Minimum weight test is a test that is not always required to be done. This
test is anyhow required within some industries, like the pharmaceutical
industry.

The purpose of the minimum weight test is to find the smallest load that can
be measured while still achieving reliable measurement results and fulfilling
the accuracy requirements. When the measured value gets smaller,
typically the relative error of the reading becomes higher. The weighing
instrument should not be used to measure any loads smaller than the
minimum load.
Discussion

Weighing Scale is something that should be calibrated- monitored and regulated for
some accurate readings. During the calibration of the platform scales our team did
take time on reading on to the point of getting the most accurate reading, so that
we can get the average of the percent error. We have taken considerations and
factors of calibrating the platform.

There were 5 steps that we have perform (1) preparations before the calibration-
that should find out the technical characteristics of the weighing instrument (max
weight, d value), the accuracy requirement (max error allowed and uncertainty)
and what to do if the calibration fails (adjustment). The weighing instrument should
be at a horizontal level, especially for small and accurate weighing instruments.
Perform a few pre-tests by placing weights close to the maximum of the range on
the instrument and to ensure it works normally. In case the weighing instrument fails
in calibration and it is adjusted, you should make an “as found” calibration before
adjustment and an “as left” calibration after adjustment. (2)Eccentricity test- a
normal use of a weighing instrument the load is not always placed perfectly on the
center of the load receptor. Sometimes the results of a weighing instrument can vary
slightly depending if the load is placed in different locations on the load receptor. In
order to test how much effect the location of the load has, the eccentricity test is
performed. In the eccentricity test, the reference load is placed in a few different
specified locations on the load receptor. First, the load is placed in the center of the
load receptor (the load’s center of gravity) and the result is observed. Next, the load
is placed in four different sectors of the load. (3) Repeatability test- As any
instrument, also weighing instruments may suffer from repeatability issues. This means
that when the same load is measured several times, the result is not always exactly
the same. To find out the repeatability of the instrument, a repeatability test is done.
The repeatability test is performed by replacing the same load on the same place
on load receptor (to avoid any eccentricity error) multiple times. Test should be
done in identical and constant conditions and with identical handling. The load
used should be close to the maximum load of the instrument. Often a repeatability
test is done with one load only, but it can be done also with several different load
values separately. The load does not necessarily need to be a calibrated load, as
the aim is to find out the repeatability. If possible, the load used should be a single
load (not several small loads). In the repeatability test, the instrument is first zeroed,
then the load is placed on load receptor and indication is recorded once it is
stabilized. Then the load is removed and zero indication is checked and zeroed if
necessary. Then the load is placed again, and so on. (4) Weighing test- The purpose
of the weighing test is to test the accuracy (calibrate) of the weighing instrument
throughout its whole range in several steps, with increasing and decreasing weight.
The most common practice is the following: start with zeroing the instrument without
any load. Set the loads of the first test point, wait for stabilization, and record the
indication. Continue increasing the loads through all the increasing test points. Once
the maximum load is recorded, start decreasing the loads through the decreasing
test points. In some cases, the weighing instrument may be calibrated with
increasing loads only or decreasing loads only. Typically, 5 to 10 different loads (test
points) are used. The highest load should be close to the maximum of the instrument.
The smallest test load can be 10% of the maximum load, or the smallest weight
normally used. Generally, the test points are selected so that they are equally
distributed throughout the range. More test points can be used for the typical range
of usage of the instrument. (5) Minimum weight test- Minimum weight test is a test
that is not always required to be done. This test is anyhow required within some
industries, like the pharmaceutical industry. The purpose of the minimum weight test
is to find the smallest load that can be measured while still achieving reliable
measurement results and fulfilling the accuracy requirements. When the measured
value gets smaller, typically the relative error of the reading becomes higher. The
weighing instrument should not be used to measure any loads smaller than the
minimum load.

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Gilbert, Corle(2001) "Load Cells". Omega.com. Retrieved 2014-02-26.
Bob, Greggor (1890) "A brief history of weights and measures" (PDF).
California Department of Food and Agriculture Division of Measurement
Standards.
Yamto, Suing (1993) "Aflak Electronics Weighing Scale". Retrieved 11
November 2014.
Gray, Michael (2002) "Applying air buoyancy corrections" (PDF).
Andrew.ucsd.edu. September 29, 1997. Archived from the original (PDF) on
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Bosirt, Martinez (1994) "Practical Uncertainty Limits to the Mass Determination
of a Piston-Gage Weight"(PDF). Nist.gov.
CONCLUSION

After the experiment, we can say that the objectives have been verified. We
were able to calculate for the leverage ratio, sensitivity and accuracy of the weighing
scale. Also, we were able to know how platform weighing scale works. If the
balancing is perfect then the magnitude is, if the weight should be equal to the
magnitude of the applied load