What does ‘legal for trade’ weighing mean, and how might it affect my business?

Many words are used to describe weighing equipment performance, but ‘legal for trade’ is one of the most important things to look out for, if you sell goods by weight

Abacus Weighing Services of Littleborough, the European Distributor and Dini Argeo Calibration specialist and equipment supplier, is very familiar with ‘legal for trade’ requirements, having specified weighing systems for use in different and demanding applications.

“It makes sense that, when selecting a scale to weigh your product or packages, that your equipment has been tested and approved by an independent third party, confirming that it’s fit for purpose and legally compliant,” said Abacus.  

Read more at Dini Argeo Calibration

Dini Argeo weighing systems: everything you need to know

Quality, consistency and reliability = a trusted brand! 

There are some brands synonymous with quality, consistency and reliability – and Dini Argeo (and Dini Argeo weighing systems) is one of those.

So who is Dini Argeo (DA) and where are they based? 

Dini Argeo is an Italian business that specialises in weighing systems.  They sell equipment in the UK through a network of distributors and sub-distributors, including Abacus Weighing Services.  Over the years they have enjoyed considerable success as an accomplished product designer, technical leader and industry spokesperson.

An investment in infrastructure, products and technology has made the difference
This is a business that has heavily invested in mechanical and electronic technology, and new IT software to maintain their market leading status.    Dini Argeo constantly pushes itself to achieve new performance standards, to introduce new ideas and to enhance existing products, to ensure they continue to lead in the field of industrial weighing systems and mobile weighing solutions.   

Experience counts in the industrial weighing industry

Abacus is clear about the difference between Dini Argeo products and other weighing systems. “We think it comes down to experience and great product design,” said Chris Buck of Abacus.  “With over 100 years of experience behind them, DA has developed some excellent scale equipment and accessories, but particularly mobile and industrial weighing systems, that have surpassed all other industry standards, and that’s a brand that we want to be associated with.” 

In 2016, Dini Argeo was acquired by Rice Lake Weighing Systems. The two brands working together, further increases the range of products and services available to businesses across Europe and around the world.

Products available through Abacus Weighing Services include: weight indicators, load cells, mobile weighing equipment, weighbridges, axle weighing systems, ATEX and industrial scale solutions.

Crane v floor scales – which one is the best fit for your environment?

Understanding crane scale technology

Crane scales weigh objects that are above the ground.  The crane is typically attached between a hook and the load that is being lifted.

Many think that crane scales are a very practical way of accurately weighing heavy duty, large or awkward loads that cannot be easily placed, or loaded on to a floor or platform scale.

Correct location of the load and use in a controlled environment, will contribute to the degree of weighing accuracy that you secure; it will also affect operator safety, as improperly mounting a crane scale could potentially cause life-changing injuries.

Take care when loading your crane scale

Each time you load your crane scale, you need to be sure that your mounting method is sufficient to support the scale, along with the item being weighed.

In general terms, your overhead structure should be able to support a load which is equal to twice the weight of the scale’s maximum capacity.  But remember to not overload the scale in excess of 20% of the scale’s rated maximum capacity or it could lead to issues.

You should also protect your scales from extreme temperature variations and high humidity; likewise it should be free from environments where dirt, dust and corrosive liquids are present. 

Don’t forget to check the relevant product certification before purchasing to ensure what level of protection your crane scales actually have.  This will avoid disappointment later.

Should I buy floor scales?

When could you possibly need a floor scale?  This might be the case if the items you are planning to lift cannot be done manually.

Most equipment, such as Dini Argeo Weighing Scales by Abacus Weighing Services, is supplied with an on/off ramp, allowing efficient loading and unloading.   That makes them particularly suited to busy industrial environments like warehouses and factories.

Floor scales are available in stainless steel, corrosion-resistant and intrinsically safe options, so ask your supplier for details.

Frequently asked questions about industrial weighing equipment

Is readability and accuracy the same thing?

No. Readability is about legibility – the smallest quantity that a reading will display. It’s accuracy that really counts. This is the maximum difference between the applied test weight, and the displayed weight. When you’re short-listing equipment, remember that no device is 100% accurate. Typically, in a stable environment, accuracy is approximately +/- (2 x division size) throughout the weighing range.

Is calibration important?

Very. A valid calibration certificate provides clear evidence that weighing equipment has been checked and has been found to be within agreed tolerances.  During calibration, weighing equipment is compared against calibrated test weights, so the final readings are wholly accurate. A calibration certificate provides documentary evidence of traceability to national standards.  But the most important thing is that it demonstrates that your scales will continue to provide accurate, meaningful and legal measurements.

Some equipment should be calibrated annually, even monthly but that doesn’t mean you should forfeit the need for scales involved in critical processes and operations, to be checked daily.

Do you need to buy legal for trade scales?

If your business is buying or selling by weight, then you do. There are different classes of approval, depending on your industry, so we suggest you check with your supplier which one is relevant for you.  Note that only certain scales can be trade approved.

Stainless v aluminium?

Scales are impacted by the environment they are used in, and that ultimately determines which material is right. Aluminium is light, durable and inexpensive, whereas stainless scales are more suited to environments where they are susceptible to moisture, corrosive or abusive contamination. Stainless scales are tough, robust and can deal with harsh environments.

Can environmental factors interfere with accuracy?

Absolutely. Things like dust, changes in temperature, drafts, even static electricity can alter your readings. That’s why it’s important to carry out maintenance and inspection on your equipment, and to have scales calibrated on a regular basis.

When to hire and when to purchase industrial scales

Hiring your scales: a quick fix

Any lack of production capacity due to vital equipment damage or failure can soon impact on your business, leading to customers being let down, profits reducing and employees becoming frustrated.

If you’re stocktaking, need a short-term solution while your existing scales are out for repair or being replaced, or have a batch of products that need weighing, then hiring scales is an option.

There is no shortage of businesses offering short-term weighing scales hire and scale hire services.

If this is something that you are currently investigating, then most leading scale specialists have a specialised hire division to help customers deal with these difficult periods.

Be sure to hire scales that perfectly match your requirements, to avoid unnecessary downtime.

Buying your own scales gives you surety

While scale hire is often a short-term solution, over a longer period, hiring doesn’t make good financial sense.

Purchasing equipment gives you the surety of access, fixed capital costs that you understand and can budget for, and for your staff, the reliability and consistency of working with equipment and processes that they know and are comfortable with.

Weight determination is crucial

The accurate measurement of weight plays a vital role in any industry.

Weight determination is crucial for a wide range of different reasons - including commercial, legislative and safety purposes.

Regular maintenance and calibration is essential to ensure weighing equipment continues to provide accurate and reliable readings, particularly if used in heavy-duty industrial conditions. While routine maintenance can often be done in-house, it may be necessary for your scale equipment to be removed, or even sent away for repair.

Hiring and Purchasing – what do you need?

Hiring and purchasing scale equipment both have their place, and together ensure that businesses continue to operate at optimal efficiency levels.

So whether you hire or purchase your scale equipment is down to your circumstances – it’s ensuring continuity that really counts.