Calibrated weighing machines are very convenient in a retail business. Unlike their digital counterparts, work does not have to come to standstill just because of a power outage. In spite of this, you must be careful when using these calibrated weighing machines because they can easily force you into errors without your knowledge. The good things is that these errors are easy avoid and eliminate in your practices such, ensuring that you sell the right amount of goods to your clients. Here is a look at some of the tactics you can use to avoid errors when using a calibrated scale to measure the weight of items:
The 90-degree Angle Rule
An error can occur simply because of the way you read the values indicated by the machine's needle. You should ensure that your eyes are right above the needle such that there is a perfect right angle between your elevation of viewing and the face of the scale. In brief, avoid reading the value indicated by the needle from an angle as it elevates the risk of recording that is slightly lesser or more than what is indicated.
Put the Scale on Level Ground
Some calibrated scales come with levelling bubbles. This is an indication that such weighing machines can be affected by improper alignment of the machine on any surface that you place it. Make sure that the balance is level before placing the item on the weighing machine and recording the reading.
Close Balance Doors
It is also imperative to pay attention to items that have doors, windows or panels that can swing freely from the main item. Such hinged extensions always create drafts, which can throw the analytical balance off quite significantly. For this reason, you should always shut windows, doors or such similar extensions before you read the calibrated weighing machine. Keeping the extensions still or in a fixed position will eliminate the effect of draft.
Temperature Differences
Other than the things that have been discussed above, you should also pay attention to the temperature of the items that you want to weigh. Heat energy can be transferred from one surface to the other. This implies that the temperature of the item you are weighing affects the temperature of the machine. Consequently, the needle of the weighing machine expands or contracts as dictated by the temperature of whatever you are weighing, affecting the reading. You should place cold or hot items in containers at room temperature before weighing them.
Share16 January 2017
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