CALIBRATION OF PLATFORM SCALE & MEASUREMENTS OF

DENSITY, SPECIFIC GRAVITY, & VISCOSITY

PLATFORM SCALE

A platform weighing scale is a device designed to measure the weight of

objects by placing them on a flat, sturdy surface known as the platform.
These scales are commonly used in various industries to weigh bulky items
such as containers, pallets, or large animals.
OPERATION
To ensure accurate measurements and prolong the lifespan of a platform
weighing scale, follow these guidelines:

Placement: Position the scale on a level, stable surface to prevent

inaccuracies.

Zeroing: Before weighing, ensure the scale reads zero when empty.
Adjust the zero setting if necessary.
Weighing Process:
1. Place the item to be weighed on the center of the platform.
2. Allow the scale to stabilize.
3. Read the weight from the indicator.

Calibration: Regularly calibrate the scale using known reference weights to maintain accuracy.

Maintenance:
1. Keep the platform clean to prevent debris from affecting measurements.
2. Inspect the scale periodically for signs of wear or damage.
3. Store the scale in a dry, stable environment to prevent rust and mechanical issues.

HOW IT WORKS
1. Load Application: When an object is placed on the platform, its
weight exerts a downward force.

2. Mechanical System: The scale utilizes a system of levers, springs,

and counterweights to balance the applied load. This mechanical
arrangement amplifies the force exerted by the object.

3. Indicator Reading: The mechanical system moves a pointer or dial

on an indicator, which displays the weight measurement.

MAIN COMPONENTS

1. Platform: The flat surface where items are placed for weighing.

2. Load Cell or Mechanical Lever: The sensor or mechanical

system that detects weight.

3. Graduation Marks: Used to read the weight measurement, often

on a mechanical dial or analog scale.

4. Pointer or Indicator: Moves in response to weight, showing the

measurement.
CALIBRATION

1. With no load on the scale platform, move the Sliding Poise to zero, and then unlock the
Beam Lock. The Beam Tip should be centered vertically in the Trig Loop. If the tip is not
centered, turn the Zero Adjust Screw until it is.

2. Lock the Beam with the Beam Lock, and then place the item to be weighed on the scale
platform.

3. Add Counterpoise Weights to an amount slightly less than the estimated weight of the item,
and then release the Beam Lock.

4. The Beam should rise to the top of the Trig Loop. If it does not, reduce some of the
Counterpoise Weights.

5. Next, move the Sliding Poise along the Beam until the Beam balances with the tip centered
in the Trig Loop.

6. When the Beam balances, the weight of the item is the value indicated by the Sliding Poise,
plus the face value of the Counterpoise Weights used.
For example, if there are two pounds of Counterpoise Weights (equivalent to 200
pounds) and the Sliding Poise on the Beam indicates 62.5 pounds, then the item on the
scale platform weighs 262.5 pounds.
For a metric example, if there are two 1 kg Counterpoise Weights (equivalent to 200 kg)
and the Sliding Poise on the Beam indicates 19.6 kg, then the item on the scale platform
weighs 219.6 kg.

7. After the weight has been determined, lock the beam, and then remove the item from the
scale platform.

NOTE: The Sliding Poise may be locked at the reading by tightening the Poise Screw if the
desired weight is needed repeatedly, such as when filling propane tanks.
DENSITY & SPECIFIC GRAVITY MEASURING TOOLS
The density of a substance provides information on its mass per unit volume: in other words, how
tightly a substance's molecules are packed together.
Due to thermal expansion and compressibility, the density of a substance is influenced by the
prevailing temperature and pressure. These influencing variables have a greater or smaller effect on
the density, depending on whether the substance is a solid or a fluid. The degree of temperature
and pressure dependence is much higher for fluids than for solids. In order to obtain a precise
density indication, the associated temperature and pressure must be known, especially with fluids.
While the density and volume of a substance change due to the influence of temperature and
pressure, the mass always remains constant. If the volume is reduced due to the influence of
pressure and/or temperature, while the mass remains constant, the density will increase.

Measuring methods for the determination of density

Areometers or hydrometer are often used for measuring the density

of liquids. These glass floats are placed in the liquid and sink until
the buoyancy forces of the test liquid are in equilibrium with the
areometer weight. The density of the liquid can be derived from the
immersion depth of the float.
1. Reading scale
2. Floatation body
3. Sinker

Pycnometers are weighing vessels which are first weighed empty and
then with the liquid or solid to be measured. The density can be
calculated from these two values.
1. Stopper with capillary
2. Piston with grinding
3. Sample liquid

With the help of the buoyancy principle, the measurement of density is

also possible with buoyancy weighing. A sinking body is immersed in
the liquid to be measured and its buoyancy is measured using a
balance. The quotient of buoyancy and sinking body volume gives the
density of the liquid to be calculated.
1. Calibration 5. Temperature measurement
2. Lifting device 6. Buoyancy
3. Sinking body 7. Balance
4. Container with liquid 8. Base
1. AREOMETER OR HYDROMETER
A hydrometer is an inexpensive instrument used to determine the density of liquids. Made of blown
glass, it consists of a bulbous bottom weighted with lead or steel shot and a long, narrow stem with a
scale. A hydrometer tells the user if a liquid is more or less dense than water. It will float higher in a
liquid with a greater density

OPERATION
Density and specific gravity are dependent on the surrounding temperature. When using a
hydrometer, the user has two possibilities:

1. Use the hydrometer at its calibration temperature (usually 16 °C or 20 °C). However, depending
on the sample volume, it can take some time for the sample to reach this temperature.

2. Simply record the measurement value at the surrounding temperature. Both measurement and
temperature value have to be recorded. If needed, a correction factor can be applied later to obtain
the temperature corrected measurement value.

Choosing a suitable hydrometer:

Hydrometer scale: Hydrometers can measure specific gravity, Brix, and
more. Based on the sample,the user will need to know which scale fits
their purposes.
Hydrometer measurement range: Hydrometers are offered at specific
measuring ranges, for example, a specific gravity range of 1.999 to 1.220.
The user needs to know the expected value of their product and choose a
range based on this.

How to use your hydrometer

1. Sanitize the hydrometer and test cylinder.
2.Place the test cylinder on a flat, level surface. Placing it at eye-level will
ensure the most accurate readings.
3.Fill the test cylinder with enough liquid to ensure the hydrometer will
float.
4.Immerse the hydrometer into the test cylinder:
• Spin it slowly, especially for viscous samples: This prevents
bubbles from sticking to the bottom of the hydrometer, which
may affect readings.
• Ensure the hydrometer is not touching the sides of the test cylinder
and that it is floating in the sample liquid.
5.Take a reading by looking at the point where the level of the sample
liquid aligns with the hydrometer scale. It is important to do so at eye
level to ensure an accurate reading.
Calibration
Glass hydrometer may corrode over time. This is caused by constant immersion in liquid samples
normal cleaning and handling, and the natural aging process of glass. These processes wear down
the hydrometer and result in small changes to its original dimensions. Despite not being visible to the
naked eye, these changes may still affect the weight and displacement of the hydrometer

1. One-point calibration checks typically involve the use of distilled water, which has a known specific
gravity of 1.000. If a hydrometer has been correctly calibrated, floating it in distilled water will give a
specific gravity reading of 1.000 at the calibration temperature. If the hydrometer reads higher or
lower, add or subtract the amount of error from your sample readings.
2. PYCNOMETER
Pycnometer is a flask of a pre-defined volume used to measure the density of a
liquid. It can also be used to determine the density of dispersions, solids, and even
gases. Pycnometers can be a very precise method when performed correctly, with
accuracy up to 10-5 g/cm3 – this correlates to the accuracy (number of decimal
places) of the digital balance used.

where M1 is the weight of the glass pycnometer without a sample, and M2 is the
weight of the glass pycnometer with the sample.

During measurement, the pycnometer and sample liquid should be kept at the
calibration temperature (delivered on the certificate with the pycnometer): this
requires temperature stabilization of the sample and can take a long time.
Furthermore, no air should be trapped in the liquid, as this may affect the
measurement.

How to use your pycnometer

1. The flask volume is known (delivered with each newly-purchased pycnometer).
2. Place the empty pycnometer on a balance. Measure its weight (M1).
3. Rinse the pycnometer 1–3 times with the sample liquid to ensure only the sample of interest is
measured.
4. Fill the pycnometer with the sample liquid.
5. Insert the glass stopper so that any excess fluid flows out of the narrow orifice in the stopper.
6. If there are air bubbles in the stopper, repeat steps 3–4 until no air bubbles are present.
7. Place the pycnometer in a thermostatic bath at the pycnometer's calibration temperature. Allow
the sample liquid temperature to reach the pycnometer's calibration temperature.
8. Take the pycnometer out of the thermostatic bath.
9. Dry the exterior of the pycnometer using a paper towel or cloth, ensuring that it is completely dry.
10.Determine the weight of the filled pycnometer (M2).
11. Calculate the density of the sample liquid using the following equation:
Calibration
The simplest way to check a pycnometer calibration is to fill it with a known liquid, such as distilled
water. Then Follow the directions as outlined in the section "How to use your pycnometer" above
to verify the volume of your pycnometer.
VISCOSITY MEASURING TOOL
Viscosity is a physical property of fluids; it is a measurement of a material’s resistance to flow. Materials
that are thick or do not flow easily have a higher viscosity, whereas materials that are thin and do flow
easily have a lower viscosity. Understanding the viscosity of a material, or how it will flow, is important
when determining how to best handle the material. If the viscosity is controlled within a predetermined
range, the flow properties can be controlled as well.

The viscosity of a material can be quantified as dynamic or kinematic viscosity. Dynamic viscosity
measures the fluid’s resistance to flow when an external force is applied to it. Kinematic viscosity
represents the ability of a fluid to flow under the weight of gravity

The two most common methods are the rotating concentric cylinder and the capillary flow method.
Perhaps the most common method of viscosity measurement consists of a measurement of the pressure
drop in laminar flow through a capillary tube

Capillary viscometer

Kinematic viscosity is calculated using the flow time of a fluid in a capillary

tube of known length. The temperature change affects the precise calculation
of viscosity. Therefore, the capillary viscometer should be kept in a water bath
for some time before the experiment.