I.

OBJECTIVES

1. To be able to discuss the principle behind the operation of weighing scale.

2. To perform actual calibration of weighing scale
3. To determine % error, the accuracy and sensitivity of platform scale
4. To determine the leverage ratio
5. Using MS Excel, determine whether the % error in readings are significant
enough to affect the accuracy and sensitivity of weighing scale.
6. To be familiar with the commercial types of weighing scale

II.THEORY

Platform scales are widely used in engineering work particularly in power plants for
measuring weights. It consists of levers and graduated beams which are arranged so that when
a load is applied on the platform, it can be balanced by a weight applied at the end of the
graduated beam or by shifting the poise along the length of the graduated beam. If the
balancing is perfect then the magnitude is, if the weight should be equal to the magnitude of the
applied load. The ratio of the applied weight at the end of the graduated beam, and the
magnitude of applied load on the platform is known as the leverage ratio. The leverage ratio can
also be determined by direct measurement the platform must be removed and then the distance
between the knights edges of the levers must be taken with the data that we gathered, we may
now solve the leverage ratio.

How to determine the leverage ratio: Set the poise at 0 on the graduated beam B and let
weigth W, balance the weight W 2 on the platform then,

F= W 2/2 x D/G, also W 2/2 x C1/1 x C/G

F= W 1/D/X, but if the C/F x C/G = D/G

Then the leverage ratio is,

Leverage ratio= Standard Weight / Average weight

Another method of obtaining the leverage ratio is to balance a standard weight on the
poise with a standard weight on the platform. After we get the data we may compute for the
leverage ratio.

The sensitiveness can be determined by finding the smallest weight that may be added
to deflect the balance position of the beam.

1. Load
2. 50 lbs
3. 100 lbs
III. APPARATUS

PLATFORM SCALE

It consists of levers and graduated

beams which are arranged so that when a
load is applied on the platform, it can be
balanced by a weight applied at the end of
the graduated beam or by shifting the poise
along the length of the graduated beam.

F IGURE 1.1 – PLATFORM SCALE

PLATE WEIGHTS

A weight plate is a flat, heavy object,

usually made of cast iron.

FIGURE 1.2 – SET OF PLATE WEIGHTS

IV. PROCEDURE
1) First, we set the beam in horizontal position, this can be done by levelling the scale.
Don’t put any weights.

FIGURE 2.1: Levelled scale without weights

2) Then place the weights first in the center of the platform one at the time then record
the measured weight. Do this by increasing the weight up to 12 trials.

FIGURE 2.2: Placing Weights on the center platform FIGURE 2:3: Measured weight
 3) After in the center, repeat the previous step but this time in each corners of the
platform scale. Again, do this by increasing weight up to 12 trials and in each corner
(one corner at a time).

FIGURE 2.4: Lower left corner FIGURE 2.5: Lower right corner

FIGURE 2.6: Upper left corner FIGURE 2.7: Upper right corner

4) Finally, take the average weight of the five readings per corner and compare it to the
standard weight applied. Also determine the sensitiveness of the platform scale at no
load, half load and full load.
V. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

TABLE 1.1: 5 DIFFERENT READINGS

STANDARD SCALE READING

WEIGHT
W1 W2 WC W3 W4

5 5 5 5 5 5

10 10 10 10 10 10

15 14 14 14.5 14.5 14.5

20 19.2 19.2 19 19.5 19

25 24.3 24.5 24.3 24 24

30 29.2 29 28.5 29 29

35 34 34 34 34 34

40 39 39 38.5 39 39

45 44 44 43.3 44.2 43.5

50 49 49 48.5 49 49

55 53.2 54 53 53.4 54

60 58.2 58 58 58 58

The Table 1.1 shows the final data we gathered in the experiment. The plate weights were
placed in 5 different corner, as a result it shows 5 different reading which is W1, W2, WC, W3
and W4. We notice that when the weight increases the reading decreases the accuracy of the
instrument.
CHART 1.1: STANDARD VS AVERAGE OBSERVED WEIGHT

The Chart 1.1 shows how the average reading differs from the standard weight. Having said
that, we notice that there is an accuracy error in the instrument that had been used. Therefore,
we need to calculate the sensitivity and accuracy of the instrument.
 TABLE 1.2: LEVERAGE, SENSITIVITY AND ACCURACY.
TRIAL AVE. % ERROR LEVERAGE ACCURACY SENSITIVITY
WT.
1 5 0 1 100 0

2 10 0 1 100 0

3 14.3 4.7 1.0490 95.3 100

4 19.2 4 1.0417 96 100

5 24.2 3.2 1.0331 97.8 100

6 28.9 3.7 1.0381 96.3 100

7 34 2.9 1.0294 97.1 100

8 38.9 2.8 1.0283 97.2 100

9 43.8 2.7 1.0274 97.3 100

10 48.9 2.2 1.0225 97.8 100

11 53.5 2.7 1.0280 97.3 100

12 58 3.3 1.0345 96.7 100

Table 1.2 shows the average weight, percentage error, leverage, accuracy and sensitivity.
We use formula to get that data and the commutation was done by using the excel. As you can
see in the table 2 the average weight, %error, leverage, accuracy are good but not in the
sensitivity because of some factor affecting the measurement. When using the platform
weighing scale over a longer period of time this may lead to deterioration that’s why some of the
reading is not accurate.

FORMULA FOR AVERAGE WEIGHT FORMULA FOR PERCENTAGE ERROR

W1+W2+WC+W3+W4 Standard value – Experimental value

AVE. WEIGHT = %ERROR= x 100%
5 Standard value

FORMULA FOR LEVERAGE

FORMULA FOR ACCURACY
Standard weight
LEVERAGE= x100%
Average weight ACCURACY=100% - % ERROR

FORMULA FOR SENSITIVITY

Let:
A A = no. of weight less than the Standard weight
SENSITIVITY= x100 B = no. of weight equal in Standard weight
A+B
 GRAPH 1.2: CALIBRATION CURVED OF PERCENTAGE ERROR AND AVERAGE WEIGHT

Graph 1.2 shows the curve of percentage error as Y-axis and average weight as
X-axis. As the weight added the percentage error increased due to some deterioration.

VI. CONCLUSION
After the experiment, we can say that the objectives have been verified. We were
able to calculate for the leverage ratio, sensitivity and accuracy of the weighing scale.
Also, we were able to know how platform weighing scale works. If the balancing is
perfect then the magnitude is, if the weight should be equal to the magnitude of the
applied load.
VII. RECOMMENDATION
Follow Procedure correctly.The measured values are stabilised by a short warm-
up period lasting a few minutes after switching on. Apply the items to be weighed
carefully. Do not place a permanent load on the weighing plate. Be sure to avoid knocks
and overloading in excess of the maximum load, as this can cause damage to the
balance.
VII. REFERENCES

Petruso, Karl M (1981). ""Early Weights and Weighing in Egypt and the Indus
Valley", M Bulletin". Boston Museum of Fine Arts. pp. 44–
51. JSTOR 4171634.(Subscription required (help)).
Brass, Brian (2006). ""Candlesticks, Part 1", Equilibrium, No. 1" (PDF).Isasc.org.
pp. 3099–3109. Retrieved 2014-02-26.
Dhail, Bessmer (1997)"The History of Weighing". Averyweigh-tronix.com. 2012-
03-02. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved 2014-03-05.
Gilbert, Corle(2001) "Load Cells". Omega.com. Retrieved 2014-02-26.
Bob, Greggor (1890) "A brief history of weights and measures" (PDF). California
Department of Food and Agriculture Division of Measurement Standards.
Yamto, Suing (1993) "Aflak Electronics Weighing Scale". Retrieved 11
November 2014.
Gray, Michael (2002) "Applying air buoyancy corrections" (PDF).
Andrew.ucsd.edu. September 29, 1997. Archived from the original (PDF) on
September 7, 2006. Retrieved 2014-03-05.
Bosirt, Martinez (1994) "Practical Uncertainty Limits to the Mass Determination of
a Piston-Gage Weight"(PDF). Nist.gov.
 University of the East - Manila

College of Engineering

Mechanical Engineering Department

Experiment # 3
CALIBRATION OF PLATFORM WEIGHING SCALE

Fernandez, Christian Joshua S. Engr. Joselito H. Recio

20140161020 Instructor

NME 412 – ME1