Laboratory balances are essential tools in scientific research, quality control, and various industrial applications. Accurate measurements are critical, as even slight deviations can lead to errors that compromise results. Regular calibration ensures that your laboratory balance delivers precise and reliable readings.
Why Calibration Is Crucial
Calibration is the process of comparing the measurements of your laboratory balance against a standard of known accuracy. Here are the key reasons why calibration is essential:
- Accuracy: Ensures that the balance provides precise measurements.
- Compliance: Meets regulatory and quality standards in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, and chemicals.
- Consistency: Maintains uniformity in measurements over time.
- Extended Equipment Life: Prevents wear and tear caused by improper usage or misalignment.
- Cost Savings: Reduces waste and errors, saving resources and money.
Types of Calibration
There are two main types of calibration for laboratory balances:
Internal Calibration
- Conducted automatically by the balance using its built-in calibration weights.
- Convenient and reduces the need for external tools.
External Calibration
- Performed using certified calibration weights.
- Ideal for balances without an internal calibration feature or for additional verification
Tools and Preparations for Calibration
Before calibrating your balance, gather the necessary tools and ensure the setup is ready:
- Certified Calibration Weights: Use weights that meet the accuracy class required for your balance.
- Clean Environment: Remove any dust, vibration, or air currents that may affect measurements.
- Leveling Tools: Ensure the balance is level using the built-in leveling bubble or external tools.
- User Manual: Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for specific calibration steps.
- Temperature Stability: Operate the balance in a room with stable temperature and humidity.
Step-by-Step Guide to Calibrating Your Laboratory Balance
Step 1: Warm Up the Balance
Allow the balance to warm up for the manufacturer-recommended time, usually 30 minutes. This stabilizes the internal components and ensures accurate readings.
Step 2: Clean the Balance
Remove any dust, debris, or residue from the weighing pan using a soft, lint-free cloth.
Avoid using harsh chemicals that might damage the balance.
Step 3: Level the Balance
Use the leveling feet and bubble indicator to ensure the balance is perfectly level.
Adjust the feet until the bubble is centered in the indicator.
Step 4: Perform Internal Calibration (If Available)
Activate the internal calibration function through the balance’s menu.
Follow the prompts on the display. The balance will use its internal weights to calibrate itself.
Step 5: Conduct External Calibration
If the balance requires external calibration:
Select Calibration Weights: Choose weights that match the balance’s capacity and accuracy class.
Place the Weights: Carefully place the calibration weight on the center of the weighing pan.
Record Readings: Note the displayed weight and compare it with the known value of the calibration weight.
Adjust the Balance: If the readings deviate, use the balance’s adjustment function to correct the error.
Repeat as Necessary: Repeat the process with weights of different values to verify linearity.
Step 6: Verify Calibration
Test the balance with additional standard weights to confirm its accuracy across its entire range.
Record the results for documentation purposes.
Best Practices for Calibration
Calibrate Regularly: Frequency depends on usage, but weekly or monthly calibration is recommended for most applications.
Store Weights Properly: Keep calibration weights in a clean, dry environment to prevent contamination or damage.
Handle Weights Carefully: Use gloves or tweezers to avoid transferring oils or dirt.
Document Calibration: Maintain a log of calibration dates, results, and any adjustments made.
Follow Manufacturer’s Guidelines: Adhere to the specific instructions for your balance model.
Benefits of Proper Calibration
Calibrating your laboratory scale or balances offers numerous benefits, including:
Improved Accuracy: Ensures reliable and precise measurements.
Regulatory Compliance: Meets industry standards and avoids penalties.
Increased Productivity: Reduces rework and speeds up processes.
Enhanced Credibility: Builds trust in your measurements for clients and stakeholders.
Conclusion
Calibration is a vital maintenance task that ensures your laboratory balance performs at its best. By following a systematic calibration process and adhering to best practices, you can achieve accurate measurements, comply with industry standards, and extend the life of your equipment. Whether you’re working in a research lab, production facility, or quality control environment, proper calibration is a cornerstone of reliable and efficient operations. Make calibration a regular part of your maintenance routine to maximize the performance of your laboratory balance.
The global Laboratory Balances and Scales Market research report, published by Value Market Research, is designed to offer various market framework such as market size, portion, trends, growth path, value and factors that impact the current market dynamics over the forecast period 2020-2027.
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The major players in the laboratory balances and scales market include Mettler Toledo, Thermo Fischer Scientific, Sartorius, Ohaus Instruments, Kern & Sohn Gmbh, Adam Equipments, A Company , Gram Precision, PCE Instruments, Precisa Gravimetrics AG, RADWAG Balances and Scales, Bonso Electronic International, Inc., Sciencetech Inc.This section consists of a holistic view of the competitive landscape that includes various strategic developments such as key mergers & acquisitions, future capacities, partnerships, financial overviews, collaborations, new product developments, new product launches, and other developments.Get more information on "Global Laboratory Balances and Scales Market Research Report" by requesting FREE Sample Copy at https://www.valuemarketresearch.com/contact/laboratory-balances-and-scales-market/download-sampleMarket DynamicsThe increasing strict regulatory framework for product safety compliance in pharma-biotech industries is the major factor driving the Laboratory balances and scales market.
The mounting applications of laboratory balances and scales in biotechnology, and chemical industries where the weighing of samples is required on a regular basis, leads to high market demand in recent years.
The precision laboratory balances and scales are installed with advanced software that provides error-free weighing and also offers an option to transfer data to a personal computer, or laptop care are positively impacting the Laboratory balances and scales market's growth.
Moreover, the proliferation of the pharmaceutical sector in emerging markets and technological advancements in laboratory balances and scales are likely to create lucrative growth opportunities for key players of the laboratory balances and scales market in the coming years.The research report covers Porter’s Five Forces Model, Market Attractiveness Analysis, and Value Chain analysis.
The major factors driving the growth of the laboratory balances and scales market are the technological advancements in laboratory balances and scales; increasing research investments and activities among pharma-biotech companies and CROs; increasingly stringent regulatory framework for product safety in bio-pharmaceutical industries; implementation of stringent food safety guidelines; and emerging markets.The global Laboratory Balances and Scales Market is projected to reach USD 1.6 billion by 2023 from USD 1.3 billion in 2018, at a CAGR of 3.7%.Ask for PDF Brochure: - https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=166668097The analytical balances segment is expected to account for the largest share of the laboratory balances market, by product type, in 2018Based on product type, the laboratory balances market is segmented into micro & ultra-micro balances, top loading/precision balances, analytical balances, portable/compact balances, moisture analyzers, and other balances.
The analytical balances segment is expected to account for the largest share of the laboratory balances and scales market in 2018.
The increasing adoption of analytical balances among biopharmaceutical industries, owing to its procedural benefits (such as portability, easy to operate, less weighing time, high durability, low cost, and high precision) is the major factor driving the growth of this market segment.The bench scales segment is expected to witness high growth rate in the laboratory scales market, by product type, in 2018Based on product type, the laboratory scales market is segmented into bench scales, counting scales, compact scales, and other scales.
The bench scales segment is expected to witness high growth rate in the laboratory scales market in 2018.
The increasing adoption of laboratory scales among bio-pharmaceutical industry due to the procedural benefits offered by these instruments, such as flow-thru design ensures protection from liquids, touchless sensors, minimum stabilization time, ease of handling, and fast measurement time is the major factor driving the growth of this market segment.Pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and biotechnology product testing laboratories to account for the largest share of the global balances and scales market during the forecast periodBased on end user, the laboratory balances and scales market is segmented into pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and biotechnology product testing laboratories; chemical and material testing laboratories; food and beverage testing laboratories; petroleum product testing laboratories; research laboratories & academic institutes, and other end users.
The pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and biotechnology product testing laboratories segment is expected to account for the largest share during the forecast period.North America to dominate the laboratory balances and scales market during the forecast periodThe laboratory balances and scales market is segmented into four regional segments, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World.
OHAUS is a worldwide leader that manufactures laboratory and industrial weighing equipment including analytical balances, precision balances and portable balances, digital scales, electronic scales, bench scales, counting scales and a range of industrial electronic weighing solutions.Ohaus Scales New Zealand
