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Lab Balances

How Laboratory Scales Work & How Leasing Benefits Labs

Excedr’s leasing program is designed for labs. Request a lease estimate today and see how leasing can save you time and money.

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Lab balance

One of the more ubiquitous pieces of lab equipment, balances are a fundamental part of any laboratory.

General lab equipment

When determining the weight of something in the lab, the balance you use must be highly accurate and correctly calibrated.These devices are designed to have different weighing capacities, which can be based on the material you’re weighing.

All that is to say, there is a lab balance to meet everyone’s needs in the lab. Whether you need to measure materials in kilograms or sub-milligrams, you’ll have a wide selection of lab balances to choose from. Industrial balances can measure extremely heavy materials, while precision analytical balances can measure microgram quantities and offer exact readability.

When looking to lease a lab balance, it’s essential to know exactly what material and how much of it you will be weighing. This can inform which lab balance you ultimately pick.

In addition, you must consider what your environment will be like. Will there be drafts or dust/particulate in the air affect the weighing process? What about vibrations or temperature fluctuations?If a factor like drafts applies to your workspace, consider whether or not the balance comes equipped with doors, often referred to as a draft shield, that safely enclose the weighing pan.

There are various types of balances available and are categorized according to the function they must perform. Common laboratory balance types include top-loading balances, portable balances, analytical balances, semi-micro balances, and microbalances.

In terms of readability and accuracy, there are some overlaps. When this is the case, the user’s application and weighing environment, mentioned above, will generally determine the type of balance required.

Methods, Types of Precision Weighing, & Calibration

A hand with an extended index finger balancing a nut and bolt

Balances can be found in nearly every laboratory throughout the world, since their ability to accurately measure weights and provide detailed data is indispensable. Below are some of the different types of lab balances available.

Microbalances u0026 Ultra Micro Balances

Micro balances are designed to measure, weigh, and provide data on the tiniest of samples. Most models can effectively offer high-accuracy data for samples weighing between 6 and 0.0001 milligrams. These are generally used to weigh precious substances in minute quantities.

Ultra microbalances are designed to weigh and provide data on even smaller samples. These units typically come standard with draft shields so that dust and other foreign particles do not make their way into the dish and corrupt data and materials being worked on.

Automated Powder u0026 Liquid Dosing

In addition to the wide range of scale options, you can also incorporate automated add-ons in order to increase productivity, safety, and accuracy. Well-designed autosamplers are available, which allow for unattended sample preparation.

These autosamplers often have both powder and liquid dosing capabilities that enable highly accurate concentrations, safe dosing,, automatic data handling, and full traceability with barcodes.

Analytical Balances

These lab scales are used to weigh substances and samples between 0.01 to 500 milligrams. These units’ measuring pans are usually encased in a glass box so as to prevent any dust particles from settling in the pan.

The particles can often disrupt efficient testing and provide incorrect data if they should settle in the pan.

Precision Balances

This class is designed for reliable and high-precision weighing in both the lab and under harsh industrial conditions. They typically include fast stabilization times, optimized linearity, repeatability specifications, and enhanced vibration filtering.

Top Loading Balances

A top loading balance is among the most common types of weight measuring scales used in the laboratory. They come in a variety of sizes and weight capacities, ranging from 20 g to 64.1 kg. These balances are generally used to weigh solid material when a precision of 0.1 g is adequate.

Gold u0026 Carat Balances

As the name implies, these scales are designed to weigh gold as well as give carat values. These are more commonly found in jewelry design workshops and retail jeweler outlets, however, they are used in some laboratory exercises too.

These units are not limited to weighing gold; they are also commonly used to measure and provide carat values for both precious and semiprecious stones and metals.

Moisture Analyzers

A moisture balance is perfect for measuring moisture in most products, including grains, pharmaceuticals, soils, sludge, and chemicals. The amount of moisture in a product can greatly affect perceived quality.

You use these instruments to measure the original weight of a product before the drying process. The machine takes note of that weight and then after the drying process, it notates the decrease in moisture and shows the weight change on the moisture analyzer display. Heating lamps are sometimes used to speed up the drying process.

Ceramic heating elements are designed to rapidly attain the final temperature to ensure a uniform distribution of heat over the entire surface, thus eliminating localized burning of the sample. Halogen lamp heating elements are suited for applications that require accelerated temperature regulation during sample drying.

However, halogen lamps heat and cool quickly, sometimes causing the sample to scorch. A moisture analyzer can also use quartz heating elements, which look similar to the heating element in your oven at home. Heat is transferred from a coil wire to a material which distributes the heat providing consistent heating.

A Lab Balance or Scale That Suits Your Needs

An animated lab beaker changing shapes

Founder-Friendly Leases

Our lease agreements are founder-friendly and flexible, helping you preserve working capital, strengthen the cash flow of your business, and keep business credit lines open for expansions, staffing, and other crucial operational expenses and business development opportunities.

2-5 Year Lease Lengths

Leases range from 2 to 5 years. Length will depend on several factors, including how long you want to use the equipment, equipment type, and your company’s financial position. These are standard factors leasing companies consider and help us tailor a lease agreement to fit your needs.

Your Choice of Manufacturer

We don’t carry an inventory. This means you’re not limited to a specific set of manufacturers. Instead, you can pick the equipment that aligns with your business goals and preferences. We’ll work with the manufacturer of your choice to get the equipment in your facility as quickly as possible.

Maintenance & Repair Coverage

Bundle preventive maintenance and repair coverage with your lease agreement. You can spread those payments over time. Easily maintain your equipment, minimize the chances something will break down, repair instrumentation quickly, and simplify your payment processes.

End-of-Lease Options

At the end of your lease, you have multiple options. You can either renew the lease at a significantly lower price, purchase the machine outright based on the fair market value of the original pricing, or call it a day and we’ll come the pick up the equipment for you free of charge.

No Loan-Like Terms

Our leases do not include loan-like terms, which can be restrictive or harmful in certain situations. We do not require debt covenants, IP pledges, collateral,  or equity participation. Our goal is to maximize your flexibility. When you lease with us, you’re collaborating with a true business partner.

In-House Underwriting Process

Our underwriting is done in-house. You can expect quicker turnaround, allowing you respond to your equipment needs as they arise. We require less documentation than traditional lenders and financiers and can get the equipment you need in operation more quickly.