Introducing An In-Line Microbalance That Is Suitable For More Than Just In-Line Use

TOKYO, Japan - June 2, 2016 - PRLog -- A&D Company, Limited, a multinational manufacturer of measuring instruments for laboratory and industrial use, is proud to announce the latest addition to their AD-4212 family of weighing sensors, the AD-4212D series. While this new series was originally developed as high-end balances to be embedded in production-line weighing systems, it is also perfectly suited for use inside laboratory equipment where ordinary analytical balances are unfit for installation or for stable measurement.

As in-line/built-in weighing sensors

Today, weighing instruments from the level of general purpose balances to that of analytical balances with 0.1 mg readability have become commonplace on production lines. Further, in the past few years, devices that weigh to the millionth of a gram called microbalances have presented new opportunities for quality control on production lines.

Microgram sensitivity has become important in production for three reasons: (1) the saturation of the large liquid crystal market and the booming smartphone market have caused the amount of resist ink added to small liquid crystals to reach the 0.1 mg (100 μg) range, (2) the miniaturization of electronic components has led to a reduction in the amount of IC sealant and soldering paste, and (3) there has been further miniaturization of bearings for storage and other devices.

The AD-4212D series meets this increasing demand from the market by achieving a 1 μg readability to a capacity of 32 g as well as a 10 μg readability to a capacity of 320 g, with unprecedented flexibility and utility taking various production-line applications into consideration.

The AD-4212D series employs what A&D calls EM-DLC, or Electromagnetic Digital Load Cell, technology. The weighing sensor has an integrated A/D converter and outputs weighing results as digital data directly to a PC or PLC. This saves space when the user doesn't want or have room for installing a separate display unit or electronic box (which are normally required for similar products from other manufacturers).

For installation, the AD-4212D series can be secured directly to a base by removing the leveling feet and using screws. Additionally, users can design and attach their preferred weighing pan or receptacle to suit their specific system or application. Meanwhile, A&D's patented shock absorber under the weighing pan protects the sensor from vertical and transverse overloading due to actuator malfunction, etc.

To ensure accuracy, the AD-4212D series is equipped with an automatic, internal calibration function, allowing users to calibrate the balance with one key press. Further, it comes standard with a small breeze break, which reduces the destabilizing effects of drafts and air turbulence. Depending on the use, it is possible to remove one of the side panes instead of the lid of the breeze break for access to the weighing pan from the side.

High extensibility with diverse peripheral devices

The AD-4212D series has two connectors - one for A&D's external displays and the other for a PC/PLC. The data is transmitted from the both connectors, enabling simultaneous use of two external devices.

As the standard external display, the AD-4212D series comes accompanied by the AD-1691 weighing environment analyzer. The 7-inch color touch-panel screen lets users perform calibration and change internal settings such as response characteristics, etc., on top of showing the weighing results and transmitting those results to another device. The AD-1691 also provides various functions that help implement tasks related to balance quality and performance management; namely, (1) daily and periodic checks of balances, (2) uncertainty calculation for balance calibration, (3) minimum weight calculation according to the USP standard, and (4) assessment of measurement environment for stable weighing. These are useful not only for the AD-4212D series but also for A&D's other high-precision balances.

There are also several optional devices available that can be used in tandem with the AD-4212D series. For example, in addition to displaying weight values, performing re-zero, calibration, etc., the AD-8922A remote controller can output BCD, comparator or analog data by choosing the appropriate accessory. The AD-8923-BCD and AD-8923-CC remote controllers can transmit the weighing data through BCD and CC-Link respectively. Via the AD-8526 serial/Ethernet converter, the RS-232C output from the AD-4212D series can be converted and connected to LAN-Ethernet.

What ordinary analytical balances cannot do

The compact size of the AD-4212D series is perfect for installation in narrow spaces such as inside a glove box. Moreover, since the AD-4212D series is independent of delicate electric parts used in a display unit, it can easily withstand a vacuum state caused during gas displacement of a glove box.

Also, thanks to its small body, the AD-4212D series is less susceptible to the effects of drafts compared with standard analytical balances, which receive the force of the wind more squarely. Therefore, when used with the provided small breeze break, the AD-4212D series can stably measure even in a fume hood where turbulent airflows are constantly present (with 0.1 mg readability only).

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/.