The modern understanding of mass metrology has matured. The traditional approach of treating weighing in the same way as less nuanced disciplines of metrology has changed.  

Authorities are recognizing that the roll-off of the components of electronic weighing sensors is such that many “Established” testing methods are inappropriate, and involve over-testing to achieve very little usable data, with a significant number of methods not actually achieving their metrological goal! 

National and International standards are being updated to reflect and recognize these facts. The US and Internationally recognized standards such as EURAMET cg-18 offers much insight into this, as does the current USP general Chapter 41 and others such as the new ASTM E.898.  

For example, many companies are not aware of basic tenets of bench weighing metrology. For example, balance or scale calibration is incomplete without a correctly calculated, corresponding statement of measurement uncertainty. Just as importantly, that weighing measurement uncertainty is almost wholly independent of loaded mass.  

A high majority of weighing inaccuracies occur outside of the balance, but can be attributed to a variety of influences within the control of the user or his/her organization.  

It is a fact that most calibration regimes are either almost completely dependent upon, or contain strong elements of, legacy calibration techniques that have been passed directly down from mechanical weighing instruments, even though the components of measurement uncertainty exhibit themselves differently, for an electronic weight sensor.  

The main concern is that many organizations or companies “Over-test” without actually generating much meaningful metrology. 

During this session, we will break down how measurement uncertainty exhibits itself across the capacity of an electronic balance or scale sensor. We will cover how to correctly assess and assign a Measurement Uncertainty budget for an electronic balance or scale, and discuss modern, robust, risk-based approaches to the assesment and estimation of significant, contributing uncertainty components, in order to build a thorough, yet scientifically-sound risk-based metrology program for bench or floor weighing instruments. 

We will also discuss phenomena that affect the accuracy of weighing, to illustrate how easy it is to create poor weight data!  To contrast this, you will learn how to overcome these potential sources of error, and optimize a balance metrology regime.

This course focuses on:  

• Factors influencing Measurement Uncertainty  
• Balance location and set up 
• User testing 
• Personal weighing technique
• Increasing productivity from your weighing equipment