13.

Calibration of Platform Scale

1. OBJECTIVES

a. To be able to know the principle behind the principle the operation of weighing scale. b. To learn how to calibrate the platform scale. c. To determine the accuracy and sensitivity of the platform scale. d. To determine the leverage ratio. e. To be familiar with the commercial types of weighing scale.

2. THEORY / HYPOTHESIS
Weight and forces are measured by comparison with known weights with the aid of a system levers such as in a beam balance, or by reference to an amount they deform some elastic object such as a spring, which has been previously calibrated against standard weights. Platform scales have been constructed to weigh a million pounds or more, as in industrial and power plants, while the chemical balance, at the opposite extreme, will easily weigh a millionth of a pound.

2. THEORY / HYPOTHESIS (cont..)

The sensitiveness of a platform scale is determined by placing a large weight on the platform, weighing it, and then finding the smallest additional weight that will cause a deflection of the beam which can be solely balanced by the rider. Platform scales are probably used more in engineering work about a power plant than any other measuring device, and usually young engineers do not very well understand their operation.

2. THEORY / HYPOTHESIS (cont..)

They are consists essentially by a device by which a load applied to a systems of levers of long and short arms, arranged so that a load on the platform can be balanced by weights applied at the end of a final lever called the beam and by shifting a poise along the length of the lever. This weighing beam is usually place on an upright post at one end of the platform.

2. THEORY / HYPOTHESIS (cont..)

2. THEORY / HYPOTHESIS (cont..)

The platform scale is arranged so that a large weight, W to be measure, may be balanced by a small weight on the beam, B. The small weight is either or both P on the poise or R, the rider, acting at a variable distance from the beam fulcrum. If P balances W, then by the principle of moments,
a W d W e g P F b 2 c 2 f c

2. THEORY / HYPOTHESIS (cont..)

It is arranged that d e g c f c so that a d P W b c And the leverage ratio is

W ac Leverage ratio P bd
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2. THEORY / HYPOTHESIS (cont..)

A better method of obtaining the leverage ratio consists of balancing a standard weight on the poise with a standard weight on the platform. Then from these data, calculate the leverage ac/bd. Examinations of the weights are supposed to be balanced on the platform. In case the scale do not balance in making these test, a little shot can be added to the poise or weight until a balance is obtained.

2. THEORY / HYPOTHESIS (cont..)

In calibrating platform scales against known weights, the scales should be first thrown out adjustment that is the adjusting counterpoise should be moved from its present setting. To adjust the platform scale, the adjusting counterpoise is moved until a balance is obtained. This should be done without any weight on the scale. Standard weights now should be placed on the scale in 5 lb. increments and the scale is calibrated.
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2. THEORY / HYPOTHESIS (cont..)

The weight shall be removed in a similar manner and the scale calibrated as the weights are removed. It is also well to calibrate the scales with weights placed on the four corners and compare these values with those obtained with weights at the corner or center. The sensitiveness of the scale is determined by finding the smallest added weight that will affect the balanced position of the beam.

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2. THEORY / HYPOTHESIS (cont..)

Sensitiveness = initial reading. final reading. The sensitiveness of a platform scale is determined by placing a large weight on the platform, weighing it, and then finding the smallest additional weight that will cause a deflection of the beam which can be solely balanced by the rider. Effect on Position

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 Valueave. 5
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3. LIST OF APPARATUS:

a. Platform Balance

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3. LIST OF APPARATUS: (cont..)

b. Set of Counter Weights

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3. LIST OF APPARATUS: (cont..)

c. Set of Standard Weights

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3. LIST OF APPARATUS: (cont..)

d. Screw Driver

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4. SET-UP OF APPARATUS:

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5. PROCEDURE:

A. Test for Accuracy 1. Start by setting the scale to zero reading and set the center beam between the upper and lower stops by making screw adjustments. 2. With an initial weight of 15 kg place on one of the corners of the platform. 3. Then, transfer it into the second corner to the third, fourth corner and through the center each time getting the reading. 4. Next, add 15kg and repeat procedure no. 2. 5. Make a total of 5 trials each time increasing load by 15 kgs.
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5. PROCEDURE: (cont..)

B. Test for Accuracy 1. Take 9 kg as the load. 2. Adjust the movable poise such that the center beam is midway the two stops. 3. Move the poise little by little to the left until the center beam just touches the upper stops and get the reading. 4. Then repeat procedure no. 2. 5. Move poise to the right until the center beam just touches the lower stops and get the reading. 6. Reduce the load by 9 kg increment and repeat the procedure for the rest of the trials.

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5. PROCEDURE: (cont..)

C. Leverage Ratio 1. Set the scale to zero reading. 2. Load 90 kg on the platform balance. 3. Add counter weights and adjust the movable poise until the beam is midway the two stops and get the reading. 4. Remove the 90 kg load on the platform and measure the counterweights used in step no. 3. 5. Divide the measured weights by the load to obtain the leverage ratio.
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6. DATA AND RESULTS:

A. Accuracy

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6. DATA AND RESULTS: (cont..)

B. Sensitivity

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7. SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS:

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8. QUESTIONS:
1. A 1500 kg mass is accelerated to 10 m/sec2, calculate the force required to perform this acceleration horizontally and vertically where acceleration due to gravity is 9.7 m/sec2. 2. A body weighs 2000 lb force when exposed to the earths standard gravitational acceleration. What is its mass in kg? 3. What will be the weight of the body in Problem no. 2 if it is exposed to the moons standard acceleration of 1.62 m/s2? Express your answer in Newton.

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8. QUESTIONS: (cont..)
4. How fast is the body accelerating in problem no. 2 if a net force of 1000 lb is applied to it on the moon or earth? Express your answer in ft/s2. 5. How would the sensitiveness of a platform scale be determined? 6. With the aid of a diagram, define the leverage ratio of the platform scale used in the experiment?

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8. QUESTIONS: (cont..)
7. If there are 454 grams in a lb mass, what will this mass weigh in grams, at an altitude where g = 20.6 ft/sec2? What is the mass in grams at the point? 8. If the platform balance is raised to an elevation of 5000 meters, will there be any change in the scale reading? Explain. 9. Differentiate a platform scale from a spring balance. 10. What is a torsion balance?

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9. ANSWERS: 10. DISCUSSION: 11. CONCLUSION / RECOMMENDATION: 12. REFERENCES:

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END

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