Weighing Industry Jargon Buster - Basic Terminology

To clear any confusion, we’ve compiled a list of the most commonly used terms and provided a quick explanation to help enlighten you.

To start things off, here are some of the more basic terms:

• Axle Pads: Weighing pads placed on the ground which are used to measure the load applied by each of a vehicle’s individual axis. Weight imbalances can cause damage to the vehicle and this can become dangerous for the driver and others on the road
• Balances: Specialist types of weighing scales typically used in medical and laboratory applications
• Calibration: The process of ensuring scales are able to output the correct weight data. Objects with an accurately predetermined weight are placed onto the scales and any erroneous errors are noted and the scale adjusted accordingly
• Capacity: The maximum weight a scale is declared to effectively record measurements for
• Checkweigher: A type of weighing scale used to check the accuracy of goods which have been previously measured
• Gross Weight: The total weight of a vehicle and all its contents. This measurement is typically used for calculating shipping costs associated with the purchase
• Load cells: A machine which converts physical load into a digital signal to eventually output a numerical figure
• Net Weight: This is calculated by taking the gross weight and subtracting the weight of the vehicle, packaging and other objects to leave only the product’s weight. This measurement is typically used for calculating the product’s price as well as the amount of tax to be added.
• Output: The signal produced by load cells. This can include voltage, current and pressure
• Point of Sale Scale: Scales designed to be used to facilitate the final transaction of a product, also commonly known as POS scales.
• Readability: The smallest change in mass which can be recorded and shown on a scale’s display screen. This is essentially a way of measuring a digital scale’s accuracy
• Weighbridge: A specialist platform which is used to weigh large industrial vehicles
• Weight: The force which is created as a result of gravity working on a given object
• Zeroing: Calibrating scales to provide a correct readout with no load applied

For more information, view our advanced terminology guide.

Solent Scales provides a number of industrial weighing scale services including supply, hire and calibration.