Tag Archives: quality

5 Types of Pressure Gauges

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What is a Pressure Gauge

A pressure gauge is an instrument used to measure a liquid or gas inside of a machine or tank. The gauge works by reading the force/pressure that is being applied from the fluids inside a tank or piece of equipment and then outputting that measurement on a dial or digital output.  

Common Places to Find a Pressure Gauge

Cars have gauges to measure things like tire pressure which uses a type of pressure gauge and sensor, a lesser-known thing it is used for is measuring your oil level. These are all done by reading the pressure that these fluids are producing or lack thereof.

Ever seen the dashboard of an aircraft? Airplanes and other aircraft are filled with dial readings of things about the aircraft, things like fuel pressure to atmospheric pressure are all accounted for.

Chemicals don’t make themselves. The Chemical manufacturing world relies on pressure gauges. Moving large amounts of fluids from container to container accurately is vital. Having improper measurements can have lasting effects on consumers which is why the chemical industry has strict accuracy requirements.

Types of Pressure Gauges

Absolute pressure gauges

Absolute pressure is found by comparing the pressure to the pressure in a vacuum or an area where there is no pressure. These gauges have a measuring cell that is separated by a diaphragm making up a mechanical absolute pressure gauge.

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Bellows Pressure Gauges

Bellows gauges are made with an accordion-looking tube that is connected to a spring and a pivot that when pressure is applied the spring extends as the pressure increases and the tubes condense giving you an accurate reading. These types of gauges are commonly used in low-pressure situations as they are sensitive gauges.

Bellows pressure gauge

Bourdon Pressure Gauge

Bourdon Pressure gauges have a Bourdon Tube, this tube looks like a c-shaped tube. This tube is open to the atmosphere at one end and closed on the other. Any increase in system pressure within the tube causes the tube to expand and straighten, the change is small but magnified due to the shape of the tube.

Image from (https://savree.com/en/encyclopedia/bourdon-pressure-gauge)

Capsule Pressure Gauge

The capsule pressure gauge has two thin diaphragms that are sealed together. One of these has a hole to allow for the medium to enter, while the other is sealed. When pressure is applied the diaphragms expand or contract changing their shape. The created movement then appears on the face of the gauge. Capsule gauges are used almost always for measuring the pressure of gases.

Differential Pressure Gauge

These pressure gauges measure the difference between the two chambers. Separated by a piece that moves back and forth, the pressure is then measured by to the moving piece. This moving piece causes movement on the pointer on the face of the gauge providing a reading. These gauges are fairly common for their simplicity.

differential pressure gauge

Get Pressure Gauges

Looking to buy pressure Gauges? GR Metrology supplies pressure gauges and can service them. GR Metrology does pressure gauge calibrations. Get yours today. 

Do You Have Process Inefficiencies?

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Production

Laying Out Your Process

At first glance, your production process may look flawless, although it’s possible it is, it’s improbable, in most cases there could be a way to optimize production. Maximizing the production process can mean more than just producing the most product possible; cutting waste, removing downtime, and proper planning can all make a difference in your business’s wallet. Laying out your process to identify inefficiencies can be difficult, here are some places we think you should start.

Can Your Production Be Automated?

Is there a place in your production that is manually done that could be done autonomously? Whether that’s checking products or activating equipment? Things like quality checks and button pushing can be turned into an automated process.

 

Is it possible to save material waste? Could you reduce waste by setting up a system that improves the cutting or measuring of raw material? Saving money is gaining money, and the more waste that can be saved and turned into product means more money in your pocket.

Process Inefficiencies

The Advantage of Being Ready vs. Reacting

Proactive maintenance uses data to seek out possible issues before they happen. Being preventive and aware of your equipment needs versus reacting when they are broken can be a time saver. Reactive maintenance seeks to restore critical process equipment, and repairing critical process equipment means that your process is down. Here are a few benefits of proactive maintenance as an effective production booster.

 

Proactive Maintenance Advantages

  • Reduced Long-term costs
  • Planned downtime
  • Longer Equipment Lifetime
  • Increased Efficiency

A Critical Choice

Producing the highest quality good efficiently is any manufacturer’s goal. We want to tag-team the efforts put into achieving these goals. Automating your production isn’t rocket science (unless you make rocket parts) which is why we at GR Metrology can help your process achieve the highest optimization possible.

 

Why tag-team with us? It’s simple, we value quality, and if automating your production increases the output of quality products we want to be there to help. Get in contact with us about your process and find out if partnering with us is the right fit.

Calibrating Electrical Test Tools

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multimeter

Calibrating Electrical Test Tools

You buy the best products to do the best work. The higher the quality the better performance, this is the case for products, and electrical tests tools are no different. This doesn’t mean that your tools are invincible to errors though; many people and places get their measurement equipment calibrated regularly including electrical tools. You may be wondering why would I send my electrical test instruments to be calibrated — what are they going to do, unplug it and plug it back in, then slap a sticker on it? (We do give it a sticker to say when the equipment was calibrated, and when it should be calibrated again, not because we gave it the good ole unplug it and plug it back in.)  No, we give your equipment the highest degree of attention by calibrating with standards which are calibrated by ISO 17025 accredited labs, traceable to the International System of Units, and compliant with ANSI/NCSL Z540. 

Why Calibrate?

Why Calibrate? As important as it is to be using your equipment, consider what happens if your equipment is has become less accurate or worse unsafe to use.  What If your process involves slim tolerances or high accuracy? Calibrating your equipment ensures that your readings are accurate and that your products are of the quality you say, and greater than that, nobody gets hurt.

Calibrations play a major role in quality assurance and reliability of measurement equipment. Here is a list of some of the devices we can service:

 

  • Calibrators
  • Current Clamp Meters
  • Data Loggers
  • Multimeters
  • Electrical Testing Instruments
  • Modular Measuring Systems
  • Oscilloscopes Desktop and Handheld
  • Probes and Accessories
  • Special Multimeter and Measuring Kits
  • Thermometers and IR Thermometers
  • Temperature probes, TC’s and RTD’s

What Makes Electronic Tools Inaccurate?

Just as with any kind of measurement equipment, time and recurring use can slowly shift your device out of calibration. Shifting is usually what calibration is there to correct, while this may seem to be a minor change, these slow drifts can add up over time — especially if you have older equipment.

 

That small drifting is already enough to make a calibration needed, but what if you dropped a multimeter or a clamp meter? You don’t know if that has caused it to go out of calibration and become inaccurate. Even with larger machines, an overload can throw your machine off; most devices have breakers for this reason, but it may not detect a quick overload, or if the voltage is large enough it can skip through the device entirely.

When to Calibrate?

  • When you are doing any critical projects.
  • After your equipment has gone through any sort of event (an overload, equipment fell over or was dropped).
  • When needed, whether it’s monthly, semi-annually, or yearly.

Summary

Electrical Tools are never something to mess with. Many of them have currents that run high voltage that could seriously harm someone. Calibrating your equipment isn’t merely a sticker, it’s proof of a high degree of quality. If you’re looking to get your equipment calibrated or are unsure if it needs to be calibrated contact us. We can see if your process should include calibrated equipment.

Are You Choosing The Right Measurement Service Provider?

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Gr Metrology Service Provider

Do you Need an Accredited Laboratory?

Do you need Accredited Calibrations? This is the place to start when it comes to choosing the right service provider. Laboratory accreditation ensures that your provider is up to date and abiding by relevant quality standards. This accreditation is a good indication of the quality and competency of a service provider. ISO 17025 is the standard by which a calibration laboratory must hold accreditation in to be viewed as technically competent. This competency is reflected by each laboratories Scope of Accreditation, which is the technical way to say — all the areas they can calibrate with a high level of competency.

Within Their Scope of Accreditation

Finding a lab that is accredited may not be the hardest part of finding a good service provider. Figuring out if their scope of accreditation can meet the measurement uncertainties that you need may prove to be the most difficult part. Most accredited calibration laboratories will have a “scope of accreditation” document that states the uncertainties in which, they can provide competent service in. View our Scope of Accreditation Here! (our scope is printable)

 

Another key point to look at is if they can calibrate all your equipment. Can your service provider be the single source for all your measurement service needs? A single source service provider is long-term decision as it can reduce logistic complications as well as give you more immediate attention for urgent incidents.GR Metrology is capable of being your single-source service provider via our scope of accreditation and our large network of other providers want to learn more, contact us here!

 

If you are doing business with a non-accredited lab you will need to ask about their measurement uncertainty, and you will have to determine if that is good enough for what you need. If you go with a non-accredited lab, this will also mean that you may not get an accredited certification for your compliant for your calibrations.

Calibration Certificate Access

Calibration certificates come with all accredited calibrations, a few things the certificates include are: the equipment that was calibrated, the lab that calibrated it, the calibration data, “as found” and “as left” data points, measurement uncertainties, and a signature of the person who performed the calibration and the date. As said before you may not get a calibration certificate that is compliant to your quality standards if you are not using an accredited calibration provider.” 

Asset Management

Does your service provider offer an asset management system or data portal for your calibration certifications and service information? Asset management systems are of growing importance in our digital age. If you are still holding calibration certificates in a filing cabinet, or even worse lying around on your desk; an asset management system will be of use to you. An asset management system houses your calibration data and other data from services done by a provider. Some can even send you reminders for when you have equipment that is getting close to its calibration due date. (Our Asset Management System does this!) 

Onsite Calibrations?

Onsite calibrations can save you extensive periods of downtime and have your equipment fully calibrated and certified in your own facility. Cutting the need to package and ship your equipment out to a laboratory. Checking if your service provider offers this can be a huge bonus for you as it will eliminate downtime costs and keep your production running.

Express Service or Rapid Response?

Some providers offer expedited or rapid response services for businesses that need a quicker turnaround time than normal. Being without your devices for long periods of time is expensive and often requires additional compliance activities. This small service can be the make or break for some businesses that need their equipment back to them ASAP.

single source provider

Do They Explain What They are Doing and Why?

Does the provider explain what they are doing when they service your equipment or provide notes of service? Providers should tell you what they are doing and why when they are servicing and after servicing your equipment, they should also say if that equipment passed or failed. Your provider should be transparent with you on all the details of service.

Repairs, Service, Maintenance

Is the calibration laboratory competent in performing repairs or other maintenance services needed? GR Metrology not only offers repairs, emergency repairs, preventive maintenance, and other services, but we have a full custom automation department!

Provider’s brand and reputation - Is the service provider someone you want to work with again?

Is the provider a brand you trust? Having a provider that can take care of things for you is a huge bonus when it comes to your measurement equipment needs. Not needing to re-check if the service was done properly, or worse, having to have them reservice it shortly after calibrations were made is a clear sign of a good service provider. Finding a trustworthy brand to go back to may not always be easy or cheap, but the long-term benefits of having a loyal service provider is ten times better than switching providers every year.

Agreements and Future Reminders

Does the calibration lab offer the possibility to make continual calibration and service agreements for providing future service?

 

Do they send you a reminder when it is coming time for your next calibration? Will they tell you when equipment has gone obsolete?

What GR Metrology does as a service provider

GR Metrology has been ISO certified since 1996 and has been expanding its scope of accreditation nearly every year since. With one of the largest scopes in Michigan, we can service nearly all types of equipment. We strive to be world-class and helpful in all aspects of business, here is a look at what we can offer:

 

  • ISO Accredited Calibrations and Certifications
  • Certlink (our Asset Management System) to store your service information and give you upcoming calibration reminders
  • A single-source service provider (Oh yes, we can do it all!)
  • On-site calibrations and expedited service
  • Repairs, maintenance, 24/7 emergency service
  • A custom Automation team, building custom systems for automating production systems.
  • A brand providing quality since 1922
  • Long-term agreements
  • Automated reminders for calibrations
  • 35+ State registered technicians

Mastering Force Gauges with Mark-10

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bottle force gauge test

Intro to Force Gauges

A Force Gauge is a great tool to add to your list of measurement equipment. If you test anything with tension or compression, you probably already have one, but are you using its full range of capabilities? Mastering your production value is not a simple task and saving money on simple things can make a big difference. A force gauge is commonly used for things a consumer may interact with, for example, a cereal box may have too much glue that some people cannot open. Another example would be to test the load capacity of a spring. The applications for force testing in compression and tension are expansive; here are some production areas that are already mastering the force gauge.

Medical and Pharmaceutical

Ever wonder what it would be like to buy a vitamin that was too hard for you to chew? Thankfully you will probably never run into this issue (unless you forget your dentures). All of your medical devices and pharmaceuticals are extensively tested for quality and usability for the ordinary person, but things like this could be a possible reality if it weren’t for force gauges. Here is a small list of applications the life science has found a force gauge useful for:

 

 

  • Tablet Crushing
  • Suture Strength –Sutures are the material that they stitch you up with, the “string”. “You’ll often see sutures and stitches referred to interchangeably. It’s important to note that “suture” is the name for the actual medical device used to repair the wound. The stitching is the technique used by your doctor to close the wound.” -(healthline)
  • Needle Penetration Force
  • Needle Break Force
  • Tensile strength of tubing and wires

The Mark 10 M7 Force Gage has break detection!

The break detection function identifies when a sample has broken, clicked, slipped, or otherwise reached a peak force and then fell by a specified percentage drop. Upon detection of the break, the gauge can perform several automatic functions like recording the peak, saving the peak, and stopping a test stand’s movement. The series 7 is capable of this due to the 14,000hz/s reading it can give. Giving you the ability to measure breaks accurately.

Electronics

A portion of our lives is spent looking and interacting with machines that didn’t exist a hundred years ago. Laptops, cell phones, all the way down to microprocessors can be tested using a force gauge. How? Laptops and screens can be tested with force/compression tests. A good example is measuring the amount of force needed to register a touch on a screen or a test to see when the screen cracks making the infamous not-so-beautiful spider web. Some tests like a keycap test could be used to measure the force needed to press the button down on your keyboard; even simple wires can be tested in various ways. The M7 can be used in a variety of ways; it can be programmed to automatically save the peak reading, transmit the peak, and zero the display upon the completion of an event. Looking to get an M7 force gauge, click here!  

Force tests in electronics.  

  • Switch force activation
  • Keycap press activation
  • Wire crimp pull test – testing the pull out of wires and wire strength
  • Component pull-off test – a piece of a circuit/motherboard that can be plucked off
  • Bend Testing
keyboard force test

Packaging

What if you saved someone millions of dollars a year because of a blob of glue? I heard a story about the difference between a blob of glue and the shape the glue was in saving millions of dollars. The package needed to be easily opened, but not come loose in shipping and it came down to the glue that was used to seal it, a blob versus a small shape! This test turned out to find that less glue in the right shape withholds the same amount of force and is opened as easily when tension tested. This saved them millions a year compared to the blob of glue they were using before. Trying to find your next “glue” solution? Connect with us, we have an expert in force tests (no, sadly he isn’t a Jedi). Additionally, here are some ways packaging places are using force gauges:

  • Opening force test
  • Bottlecap pull-off test
  • Burst test
  • Crush test
  • Adhesive strength test
  • Package strength
peel force test

Feature Spotlight

External trigger mode (requires a test stand)

This feature is useful when an application requires a large number of samples to be tested. For example, if a packaging factory needed to test 100 samples every week, they could configure their testing set up so that an operator would only need to press a single button to perform the test, export the data, and reset the test stand for the next test. Making your process efficient and easy to use for the operator. Get a force test stand and gauge from Mark-10 and run your operations with just the push of a button. Simply attach to the stand and start your testing. To optimize your process with a force gauge and stand, contact us! 

Review

Mastering force testing doesn’t have to be rocket science, and there are many more industries on this list that we didn’t mention that are using force tests to master the quality of their products. If you are wondering if a force gauge could be beneficial to you, contact us we can see whether break testing, bend testing, pull testing, destructive testing, or any types of force tests could be a fit for you! The price of quality products is only going up and ensuring that your products are working as they should is a key ingredient to quality. Not sure where to start, call us; we are more than happy to help see if this is the right application for you.

What Are Calibrations, Why Are They Needed?

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Calibration Weights

What is Calibration?

Calibration is an “operation that, under specified conditions, in a first step, establishes a relation between the quantity values with measurement uncertainties provided by measurement standards and corresponding indications with associated measurement uncertainties and, in a second step, uses this information to establish a relation for obtaining a measurement result from an indication.”(1) Simplified it means calibrations are a direct comparison of a known standard of measurement and the measurement that you are using. 

Why Calibrations are important:

Accuracy is the reason why calibrations are important. Accuracy of a device degrades over time, just as a battery deteriorates with time, so does equipment accuracy. Time isn’t the only factor on equipment; power surges, overloading, and other factors can affect your equipment making it inaccurate.

 

Why does becoming inaccurate matter?

 

  1. Inaccurate equipment means that your products are going to be of lesser quality than if it was done with accurate equipment.
  2. Inaccurate equipment can create high amounts of rejected parts that don’t meet a product’s quality standard. These rejected parts mean that you might need to make more parts to replace the rejected ones, resulting in production inefficiencies and costing you mounds of money. Even worse it could result in wasted materials that you have to scrap which can trigger pushbacks of products to customers.
  3. Brand damage, nobody likes brand damage, but it can happen from the continued output of low-quality products. Imagine going to a fancy restaurant that served you boxed macaroni & cheese. You’d be furious with what you were served and might even ask for a refund. This can happen for manufacturers due to inaccurate equipment and bad product output, affecting your brand.
Calibrations why get them

Accuracy leads to quality, quality leads to great products! If you are having inaccuracies with equipment, adjusting your equipment should be a top priority. Calibration services can be done to get your equipment back into peak performance and get your production back on track.   

Review

Calibrations may not seem like a big deal, but they can be the reason that you don’t have a big deal on your hands. The simple act of calibrating can minimize inefficiencies resulting in the longevity of quality products. Preventing inaccurate equipment and low-quality products is the reason for calibrating your equipment, GR Metrology offers accredited calibrations for a huge range of equipment, — view or scope of capabilities.

 

 

1 – JCGM 200:2012 International Vocabulary of Metrology, Basic and general concepts and associated terms (VIM) 3rd edition; Calibration (2.39).

Get Your Truck Scale Ready for the Season

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GR Metrology Truck

Get Your Scale Ready for the Busy Seasons

Spring is coming and for many truck scale owners, that means preparing for the busiest time of the year, for others, it’s just the start of warm weather. Regardless we know you are preparing and we have a few recommendations for making sure your scale is ready for high-capacity daily use.

Inspect Your Scale

Inspecting your scale can take a mere matter of minutes and save you loads of money. Here are a few things to look for:

 

Debris 

Look under the scale and check for debris. If there is dirt or other debris clear it out with a pressure washer or hose if possible.

 

Base Checks 

Check your beams and base plates to make sure they are clear of any debris or dirt to prevent damages and deterioration. Moisture may accumulate here, so be on the lookout for corrosion.

 

Clear the Ends 

Clearance areas at the front and back ends of your scales may pile with debris. Clear the approach clearance for any debris that may have accumulated, as well as check for any objects that may have made their way to the end of your scale.

 

Water 

Puddled water under your scale can lead to rust and corrosion of your truck scale. Check your drains to see if they are plugged, and make sure that they are cleared. If you don’t have a drainage system in place, consider installing a gravity drain system or sump pump.

 

Rust 

Rust can accumulate on the surface of your scale and lead to holes in your scale. Remove rust by scrapping with a steel brush and then repainting the scale.

  • Repaint Bonus: Repainting your scale keeps it looking fresh and more appealing to the eyes!

 

Crack Check (not for plumbers)

Look for cracks in your scale’s foundation and deck. Finding cracks and repairing them while they are young can prevent large costly repairs in the future.

Scale Calibration

Scale calibrations play a leading role in getting your truck scale into top shape. Calibrations ensure that you are not overcharging your customers or undercharging, costing yourself money. With your truck scale braving the elements every day it may need periodic calibrations due to external factors affecting the accuracy. To help with how often you should calibrate your scale, look at what a small inaccuracy can do.  

Example

Weighing Volume

300 trucks/day

Weighing Frequency

5 days/week=

1,500 weighs per week

 

 

4 weeks/month=

6,000 weighs per month

Product Value           

$51.4/ton=

$.0257 per lb.

Inaccuracy per Single Weigh 

150 lbs. light x $.0257=

$-3.855 per weigh

Inaccuracy Cost a Week

1,500 x -3.855

$-5782.5

Inaccuracy Cost a Month

-5782.5 x 4(weeks)

 $-23,130

 Inaccuracy Cost a Year

-5782.5  52(weeks)

$-300,690

Reports

High-quality service providers are necessary for the longevity and functionality of your truck scale. After maintenance, calibration, or any other service is performed on your truck scale, a quality service provider should give a detailed report, providing documentation for what was done to your scale. It should include detailed test results like (as found) and (as left) after each calibration, any changes or adjustments, and a summary of service. They should also supply any recommendations based on the findings after the service. Need full documentation of what’s happening to your scale during service? Connect with us!

Review

Your truck scale is the foundation of your business operations and downtime can be extremely costly. Taking proper preparations to optimize your scales performance before the season begins will only increase the life and productivity of your scale. Check over your scale and make sure that the service being provided is quality service. Not sure what quality service looks or sounds like? Give us a chance to show you!

4 Ways Inaccurate Measurements Are Costing You $

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Measurement Quality

Why Do Calibrations Matter?

Calibrations ensure consistency as well as accuracy for measurement equipment. Calibrations compare the measurement equipment against a measurement standard, and when required, adjusting the equipment to be within the given accuracies according to that standard. Calibrations provide accuracy, repeatable measurements, reliable benchmarks, and traceable results. Measurement equipment is not an exception when it comes to normal wear and tear on equipment. Over time, your equipment can deteriorate affecting your accuracy and end products. Without regularly scheduled calibrations equipment can fall out of tolerance resulting in inaccurate measurements. Threatening your safety, equipment life, and product quality. The quality of your revenue depends on the quality of your product, which depends on the quality of the calibration.

Wasted Raw Product

Wasting material is never good, especially in large quantities. Imagine if your calibration was off by .2 oz, and that messed up a plastic mixture. That material mixture wasn’t caught until it was melting. All the material that was being melted has to be thrown out and anything that is still in the process of being mixed has to be tossed out. Wasting a large amount of raw material, and money from your pockets.

 

Uncalibrated or incorrectly calibrated tools can create errors in the production process. Resulting in ineffective material or parts. The cost of having a high reject rate of parts over a year adds up quicker than one might expect, burning holes in your pockets.

See what wasted product could be costing you here with our inaccuracy calculator

Recalls

Product recalls are something we wish would never happen, but they do, on average 300 times a year. Recalls, big or small are a pain to handle and are never fun to deal with especially when it comes to large scope products, or material being sent out. Make-good requirements might have to be made, or shipments of the new product for a severed price or even for free. Resulting in a large not planned trick or treating event that might damage a company’s reputation. Following a quality standard with regular calibrations and maintenance is a sure way to help prevent recalls. Make sure that you are producing quality items, so your customers aren’t the ones calling you for product issues.

Downtime

Production downtimes are no joke, downtime is a leading cause of money loss in manufacturing. Having a single line down is costly for business operations and whenever you are not outputting product, you’re losing money. Unplanned downtime is the worst of these, this can happen due to equipment failures and broken equipment. If a machine breaks causing a line to go down; you are paying for things all that time the line is down. Planning a regular repair and calibration schedule can help reduce the risk of downtime and increase your product output rates. 

Audit Findings / Risks

Audit findings can be a quality nightmare if you are not properly abiding by the rules. Although failing an audit may not result in monetary loss, it can end causing up the loss of your accreditation through repeated failures. Losing that accreditation could mean the loss of contracts, supplies, and customers.

Safety Risks can happen when a truck is overloaded due to poor calibrations.  Having a truck that is overweight not only is a potential risk to the driver but can result in potential fines. Not only that but if that truck is in an accident by being overloaded, you could be sued for this. Calibrations may seem like a small tedious task done to get past a quality check; changing the outlook on calibrations as the means to high quality is our goal.

Summary

Inaccurate measurements are a killer to businesses. Some businesses have to close after a large production recall and loss of reputation. Avoiding inaccurate measurements is one way to assure that you are producing quality content straying from downtime. Calibrations are the answer to creating quality products that are precise and with unfluctuating quality. Avoiding audit failures and fines is a good motivation, but what if the motivation was to create the highest quality product possible? We want to change the way calibration is looked at and set the bar in quality. We have the experience to know what works and how to promote long-term changes. Want a long-term change in quality, contact us. 

4 Ways Test Stands improve Measurements

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test stand

What Is a Test Stand?

Force Test Stands are devices used to control measurement variables in force testing and other measurements. A test stand usually has a force gauge mounted on it or a load cell which is then used to measure multiple force parameters. The stand moves vertically and horizontally, to push against the force gauge or load cell to record measurements. Test Stands increase your efficiency and effectiveness in testing and allow for complete test control. Here are four ways they improve your measurements.

Increased Control

Force Test Stands are designed to allow for tests to be run in the same way every time, which eliminates external variables and bias. Instead of manually applying force, test stands eliminate the possibility of human error when testing product. Did you know the angle at which you press into a load cell can make a difference in your measurement results? Controlling your variables in your measurement process is a sure way to get more accurate results and improve your force measurements. Want more control over your testing? Get a Mark-10 Test stand, click here.

Testing Efficiency

Pressing a button and watching a stand do the work for you sounds like a fairy tale, but a simple configuration automates everything. Test Stands reduce the need for manpower and the need for specially trained operators to run them. Doing measurements by hand and writing them down is time-consuming and old-fashioned. Automatic test stands improve your testing process efficiency by five times. Manually testing product, writing down results, and mentally crunching numbers takes much more time than pushing a button and having a device automatically recording your measurements in a database. Test stands simplify and optimize how you take measurements.

Reliability of Results

Effective tests are based on repeatability, and test stands are the best way to achieve repeatable results. Completing force tests by hand the exact same way is near impossible and isn’t a good practice for quality measurements. Test stands reduce the number of variables in your testing method and allow you to record reliable data. Repeatable, accurate tests ensure your results can be trusted and potential problems are identified. A test stand will eliminate errors and give your team confidence in the results.

Testing Capabilities

If you are testing at a high capacity and don’t have a test stand, you run the high risk of having inaccurate measurements. High-capacity testing should be done by a test stand for safety and measurement quality purposes. On the other side, if you are testing at extremely low capacities, for example, a hypodermic needle, measurements are difficult to replicate by hand. When the force is manually applied, your testing capabilities are limited. A test stand allows for precise results across all applications and provides the accuracy and safety your company, team, and customers need.

Summary

Test Stands are one of the most simple and efficient ways to increase your testing accuracy and provide you with valuable data insights. Test Stands help control variables and eliminate errors in the testing process. Switching from a manual force test to an automated process increases control, improves testing efficiency, provides reliable results, and expands your testing capabilities. If you are performing manual force tests and are interested in a test stand demo,

Contact us, we would love to help you find the perfect fit for your application.

Choosing the Correct Rocker Column Load Cell Cups

Load cells used in truck scales or rail scales are exposed to temperature-induced expansion and contraction. Canister load cell technology couldn’t account for the temperature-induced errors, so rocker column load cells were developed to replace them.

Rocker column load cells have rounded upper and lower loading surfaces that are spaced out from the strain gages. This is to avoid stresses from the high contact areas. Spherical radii are either placed on the loading surface or where the load measurement is made and at the outer extremities. This is to avoid dispositioning as the column rocks and minimize errors caused by weighbridge shortening. It is important to choose a rocker column load cell that will compensate for when the load cell is offset. Rocker column load cells should also be hermetically sealed at both the strain gage location and cable entry. Compensating for load errors are vital to obtaining accurate measurements and meeting quality standards.

Truck scales are often used to sell products by weight, so they need to meet NTEP quality standards. It is important to have the correct load cell cup installed! Here’s a video to help you make sure you have the right cups for your rocker column load cells. Contact us for your truck scale calibration or installation. We’d be happy to help!