A Newly Developed Load Cell Realizes Extremely Cost-effective 1 mg Balances for Schools and Colleges

TOKYO, Japan - Sept. 7, 2014 - PRLog -- A&D Company, Limited, a multinational manufacturer of measuring equipment for laboratory and industrial use, has recently launched their first milligram balances that use a load cell as the weight sensor, the EJ-123 and EJ-303. They boast performance and functionality that feel almost comparable to those found in balances using a high-sensitivity electromagnetic sensor, which usually cost at least twice as much.

A&D have developed these models with use particularly in primary, secondary and tertiary education in mind, as such institutions are often on a strict budget yet in need of securing a sizable number of units for classes, experiments, research, etc. Since in this market balances are typically sought through on-line stores and catalogs, their color design is made especially eye-catching to stand out in these media, which one may well find quite uncharacteristic of A&D when compared with their more standard color designs.

Truth be told, there do exist some 1 mg load cell balances being sold by other manufacturers before A&D’s new releases. However, their performance usually matches their low price (e.g. clumsy display movement) or they are limited in weighing capacity (only up to 120 g or so). By contrast, with a newly developed load cell, A&D’s EJ-123/303 enables measurements with 1 mg readability that clearly excel in smoothness and stability, for a capacity up to 310 g (EJ-303).

On top of its superior basic performance as a weighing device, the EJ-123/303 provides various powerful features that will actually make them suitable for not just schools, but also laboratories, factories, or elsewhere. For example, depending on the degree of drafts and vibrations at the location, the user can select one of three different combinations of weighing speed and stability to elicit the optimal performance possible under the given environment.

To make a range of weighing applications easier, the EJ-123/303 is equipped with functions like counting mode (for quickly counting a number of small pieces of the same mass value), percent mode (useful for target weighing or checking the sample variation as the weight value is displayed as a percentage of a set reference mass), accumulation function (saves the user from the hassle of summing separate weighing results when doing so is necessary), and display hold function (for easier reading of the display value).

Weights can be shown in seven different units: gram, ounce, troy ounce, metric carat, pennyweight, grain, or Newton, which the user can easily select from and switch between. Further, using the optional density determination kit (EJ-13), it is possible to have the balance calculate the density of a sample automatically.

The LCD display (16 mm character height) with backlight is clearly visible even in dimly-lit areas. The balance can be operated either with an AC adapter or with four AA batteries for portable use (for approx. 80 hours with alkaline batteries, backlight off). With the latter, an auto power OFF function is available that switches the display off automatically to avoid wasting power when the balance is inactive at zero display for 5 minutes.

The balance comes with a breeze break with anti-static coating as standard, to ensure stable weighing by shielding drafts as well as static from nearby objects. Its stainless steel (SUS304) weighing pan is resistant to scratches and wear, and is easy to clean and keep hygienic. In the rear of the balance is a security slot to accommodate an off-the-shelf (such as Kensington) anti-theft lock.

Finally, two kinds of interfaces are prepared as options. One is the Quick USB interface (EJ-02), which allows the user to quickly send weighing data (one way) to Microsoft Excel, Word, Notepad, etc., via a USB port of a PC without any driver or other additional software installation required. The other is the RS-232C interface (EJ-03), with which it becomes possible to output data to and receive commands from a PC, printer, data logger, etc. Also, GLP/GMP/GCP/ISO compliant output will be possible via the RS-232C interface.

Additional details can be found on the A&D website at http://www.aandd.jp/.

# # #

A&D Company, Limited, headquartered in Tokyo, take advantage of their world-class analog and digital signal processing technologies to produce a diverse array of laboratory and industrial measuring equipment. In particular, they are known as Japan’s top manufacturer of electronic weighing instruments ranging from ultrasensitive micro analytical balances to scales of several tons of capacity. Their innovations are always aimed at providing users with high practical utility and high value for the price. To find further information on A&D, visit http://www.aandd.jp/.