One of the most versatile types of scales is bench scales. They can be used for various applications, but we typically see them used in retail settings and industrial shops.
What Defines A Bench Scale?
This type of scale is designed to be placed on a table, workplace, or counter when being weighed. Most bench scales are typically compact. Most commonly, they are used to measure objects that weigh from 2kg to 150kg.
If you want a bench scale on your own, then you’re going to need to have prior knowledge of what defines a good bench scale. Below are a few standards to consider when buying a bench scale for personal or commercial use.
1. Platform Material
The type of material used for the weighing platform needs to be stainless steel. Not only is it more durable than other materials, but it’s also generally easier to clean as well.
A common place you’ll see bench scales are in butcher shops. For this setting, having a clean scale is a must as without it, you risk contaminating the meats that you sell. By getting a bench scale with a stainless steel platform, you can easily clean off the bacteria or germs that can start to thrive within the platform.
You should try to avoid bench scales that have plastics for the weighing platform. These can break very easily, and they are also unsanitary, especially when it comes to weighing food.
The keypad should also be sealed so you don’t risk having any liquids or foreign objects seep through the pads and the wirings within.
2. Brand
Brand is an indicator of the quality and durability of the scale that you are getting. While popular brands have higher priced scales, you’re at least getting the most out of your money with them.
At Meltrons, we have a large selection of high quality and affordable weighing scales that will fit your needs. Buying a scale with a good brand is going to be worth your money. Aside from being durable, these models also come with a wide selection of features that can help increase productivity.
3. Power options
There are bench scales that can be plugged into a socket. However, we highly suggest getting ones that run on batteries instead. This adds a lot of portability to your scale. Moreover, it removes the need of having to place your scale next to a plug.
That being said, it would also be a good idea to find scales that have several power options. To help save power, some scales can have their backlight turned ‘off’ or even ‘only on when weighing.’ There are also some bench scales that only consume power when in use.
If you’re buying a bench scale that needs to be plugged in, make sure that you are getting one with a lengthy cord. It can be troublesome finding a good spot to plug your scale in if the cord is only a few inches long.
4. Connectivity
For this, what we mean is that the scale should be very easy to connect to other devices such as a computer or a cash register. This is an important feature to have as it allows you to print the results or even directly input the results into a database.
In most cases, bench scales can be connected to other devices via USB. This is a very important feature to have in many situations as being able to directly transfer the data from the scale to a device greatly helps with productivity.
5. Capacity
This is one of the most vital things you need to look for when it comes to buying scales. Always keep in mind that each scale will have its weight minimum and weight maximum.
Before buying the scale, think about the common items that you need to weigh. Consider the average weight of the items as well. Having a bench scale that fits the weight capacity of your needs is vital if you want accurate readings.
6. Display
The display should be readable, even in dim areas. This ensures that you’re able to use the bench scale all of the time. Additionally, the scale’s display should be large so that it’s easy to see, even for those with bad vision.
Remember that a large display also means that it’s easier to control the bench scale.
It’s also a good idea to find a scale that allows you to convert the data into other units. This further increases the utility of your bench scale.
Buying a quality bench scale is going to help you greatly, depending on what industry you are in. High-quality scales might not be cheap, but they are well worth the investment, considering how productive they can make you. Moreover, having accurate readings on weight can benefit both you and your customers as well.