Buyer's Guide: Scales and Balances - Beyond the Basics

 Buyer's Guide: Scales and Balances - Beyond the Basics

by Laura French, Associate Editor

Every lab needs a scale — whether you need to determine the weight of a biological specimen, precisely measure out a drug component or prepare a standard for a chromatography run, a trusty scale or balance is a fundamental tool in an endless number of industries and applications. When it comes to selecting and buying a new scale or balance, several obvious factors will come to mind; you’ll want to make sure your new scale provides precise and repeatable measurements, has the sensitivity and capacity to weigh your smallest and largest samples and provides the resolution and readability required for your analysis. You’ll also want to know whether your balance can be calibrated automatically or will need to be calibrated by hand.

While weighing instruments date back to ancient times, the technology has developed far beyond basic mechanical apparatuses and has even gone beyond providing extremely precise and accurate measurements. New quality control features, computer connectivity and the incorporation of automation have transformed scales and balances into advanced machines that fit right into state-of-the-art modern labs.

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