When it comes to basic laboratory instruments, most people don’t care how they work, they just want to know that they can unpack, plug and play. A few items on this list are: centrifuges, water baths and precision/analytical balances.
Generally speaking, regardless of the manufacturer, the mechanics of these devices remains the same, with slight variations in terms of cosmetics, capacity and valued-added features like touch-screen control pads and auto-detection/auto-adjusting.
Because service is our number one goal, we make an effort to learn all we can about how our products work so we can offer excellent advice and troubleshoot. From time to time make cool discoveries that we believe our partners would appreciate knowing.
We’ve been selling Accuris balances from day one and receiving excellent feedback. So, we asked their team to put together a little something to help explain the inner-workings of their balances and why they are so good. Here is what we learned.
The Accuris Compact and Precision balances use a unique technology called variable capacitance. These scales incorporate a precision manufactured ceramic load cell with 2 gold-plated electrodes spaced apart by a few thousandths of an inch. When a load is placed on the weigh pan, the gap between the electrodes changes, thereby changing the capacitance across the gap.
An electrical circuit forming an Inductive Capacitance Oscillator is wired to the electrodes, so that frequency of oscillation changes when more or less weight is on the scale – the gap is smaller with more weight, larger with less weight. The different in oscillating frequency through the range of the balance can be millions of cycles per second, and with its microprocessor that can detect changes as small as one cycle per second, the Accuris balances can very precisely measure sample weights across the entire range.
This technology requires less components, less moving parts, is very durable and delivers better weighing accuracy than other options for a balance reading down to .001 g.
The Accuris Analytical Balance Family use Electromagnetic Force Restoration technology for weight determination. This is the same technology used in many of the highest precision (and highest priced) balances for laboratory weighing. An electromagnetic system is used to counter-balance a mass that is placed on the weigh pan. The exact amount of electric current required to “restore” the weigh pan to its home position is precisely measured and corresponds to the mass being measured.
Did you know?
Internal Calibration is an optional feature available on the Accuris Analytical balances. The Internal Calibration models incorporate a movable calibration weight in the base. With the touch of a button, these balance can automatically perform a calibration by moving the internal calibration weight to the weighing mechanism (under the base of the balance – you can’t see this) checking the result and re setting the calibration if necessary.
Now you know why we support this product and why our partners are so pleased with them.
There are many considerations when purchasing a laboratory balance. Maximum weight, decimal places, available weight unit measurements, part/piece counting, climate conditions and more. Not sure which one is correct for you? View the entire Accuris Laboratory Balance line and discover where performance and price intersect.
Let Stellar Scientific put an accurate Accuris balance on your bench!