Precise weighing helps manufacturers minimize wasted raw materials and maintain product consistency. It also reduces errors that can cause loss of production and even safety risks for workers.

Keep your balances on a stable bench in a draft-free area and always have calibration weights nearby. Store them in a desiccator to prevent rusting or dust that may alter the mass.

Pre-Weighing

Ensure that all ingredients are staged and ready for weighing by scheduling the Pre-Weigh process before you start a scheduled BOM. All required parts on the BOM will be automatically pre-weighed and saved to the Manufacturing Required Parts page.

Using this functionality allows for automation of manual processes and frees up human workers to focus on areas that require their skills and insight, such as responding to quality questions or conducting additional tests. It also helps manufacturers address the shortage of skilled labour by reducing bottlenecks and optimizing production.

Automated systems that can be integrated seamlessly with existing manufacturing processes can help ensure consistent, accurate weighing. This can make a significant difference to a business, especially in industries that adhere to strict regulatory standards. They can also provide data that supports inventory management, quality assurance, and predictive maintenance – all important functions in maintaining optimal operational efficiency. In addition, they can help reduce waste, minimizing raw material losses and helping to boost profitability.

Balance Validation

In order for analytical balances to provide accurate results they must be properly calibrated. It is important to do this regularly in order to ensure the accuracy of all results. Regular calibration also helps to detect problems early so they can be corrected before they cause significant errors.

A calibration process will check the analytical balance for a number of factors including repeatability, span, and linearity. In addition, a sensitivity test should be conducted using standard weights to ensure that the balance is capable of weighing small amounts.

Before calibration begins, the balance should be placed on a stable surface and away from drafts and vibrations. Make sure the weighing pan is clean and free from dust or lint. It is also recommended that the user wears clean, lint-free gloves throughout the entire calibration process to avoid contamination of the weighing pan or indicator. Finally, it is essential to record all calibration results for future reference.

Direct Weighing

Direct weighing is a straightforward approach that can reduce the amount of effort and time required in the weighing process. It is ideal for applications that do not require high precision measurements.

In this method, the substance is directly placed on the weighing pan. Once the tare button has been pushed, a zero reading will appear on the display. Then, the beaker containing the sample can be removed and weighed again to obtain a final weight reading. The difference between these two readings provides the mass of the substance.

For best results, be sure to handle the weights with care and respect. Keep them stored in a secure location to avoid constant rubbing and wear that could decrease their base and lead to inaccurate readings. Also, keep the weighing area clean to avoid cross-contamination and minimize dust accumulation. This is especially important for rust-prone stainless steel weighing pans. The use of a clean, sturdy spatula will prevent the transference of oil or other matter between the weighing pan and beaker.

Order of Ingredients

Weighing ingredients in the right order ensures that they are distributed equally and meets product recipe specifications. Accurate weighing also contributes to regulatory compliance and upholds food safety standards. It can also simplify training for kitchen staff by providing a standardised approach to ingredient measurement.

For precise recipe formulation, the best choice is a METTLER TOLEDO high performance balance with a low net sample weight and exceptional repeatability. It will allow you to weigh all your formulation components at the same time on a single scale without a need for additional balances.

A simple way to transfer a precisely weighed sample to another balance is to reverse the taring function. Place the empty bowl on the balance and tare it to zero, then add the weighed sample and tare again. The difference between the two will be displayed on the screen of the balance. This can be repeated as many times as required to transfer the sample.