We’ve written about parts counting scales before but it’s always nice to discuss these time saving devices on a regular basis. An industrial counting scale is an important device that can streamline processes and deliver super accurate results. Usually much better and faster than counting by hand!
But the truth is there are A LOT of options and features that you may or may not need. So let’s take some time and discuss these counting scale options and terminology now.
Counting Scale Accuracy
If you’re going to invest your money on a counting scale you want to make sure that you’re investing in a parts counter that features high accuracy and is easy to use. Don’t be afraid to contact our customer service department and ask for some help. The truth is: certain scale manufacturers offer better battery powered counting scales than others!
Scale Durability & Construction
Look industrial environments are usually pretty demanding, so durability and overall construction quality are important considerations. You need to choose a counting scale constructed to last. These days you can find counting scales at just about any price point! But beware of the ones that are below a couple of hundred dollars. They are built to move boxes and not be a long term solution. In our opinion the counting scales that we offer which are around $500 and up are good fairly long term solutions. Again don’t be afraid to contact us and ask for a review or recommendation of a counting scale. We’ve seen many of them in action.
One of the Top Mistakes Counting Scale Buyers Make
So many times customers automatically purchase the counting scale with 100 pound capacity or maybe even a 200 lb counting scale! When you ask them why, they often say “well I want to be covered for all the different items that we weigh and count in our warehouse”. Now, when you dig a little deeper you often find out that the large bolts or rods that are being counted which require a larger scale are often only done every now and then or are rarely needed. In other words, you could get away with a 30 lb counting scale for 95% of your counting!
Therefore, if you are counting various sized items, don’t choose the highest capacity! Choose the capacity that will work most of the time. Then when you do need to count that large items, maybe you purchase a different scale for that. Or perhaps you buy a counting scale with accumulation function or with a large capacity remote scale base.
Another Mistake Many Counting Scale Users Make: Using Small Sample Sizes
When you use a parts counting scale, basically all you have to do is count out by hand approximately 10 pieces of the same item. So let’s say we’re counting wood screws. You simply pick up a handful of the exact same wood screws and count out ten pieces. Then you press the Sample key on the scale and place the 10 pieces on the scale and then type in 1 0 and press enter. The order of operations might differ slightly depending on the scale. At this point now you are ready to count all those wood screws. You could count out thousands of them if you wanted. But what often happens is, the counting scale operator gets lazy or distracted. So, instead of counting out 10 pieces, maybe they only count out two or three instead! So now the scale has a very small sample to work with. And the average piece weight is only based on a couple of pieces. This often leads to errors and complaints about the accuracy of the scale.
Other Less Important Counting Features
Some scale sellers like to bore you with things like units of measurement and counting resolution. Most counting scales these days are going to feature pounds and kilograms for the weight units. That should work for 99.9% of you out there. As for counting resolution, it becomes complicated pretty fast. Basically, you want to buy a counting scale that has a decent counting resolution. Some of our favorite counting scales that feature a decent counting resolution include the A&D HCi, Ohaus Ranger Count 3000, Intelligent IDC, Digi DC782, and the Worldweigh C100. These scales will work quite well for most applications. Meanwhile at the top of the counting resolution category are counting scales like the Avery Weigh-Tronix ZK830.
Battery & Power Options for Parts Counting Scales
Many times counting scale users like to take the scale throughout the warehouse. So a battery powered counting scale is usually a great idea. Look for scales with long lasting rechargeable batteries or the ability to operate on both batteries and AC power. You’ll want power saving modes that extend battery life and do things like turn off the display backlight when not in use.
User-Friendly Counting
When it comes to using a counting scale, choose a scale that’s easy to use. We’ve all been there. It might have been a computer or a smart phone but electronics these days can cause even the most tech savvy person to struggle from time to time. A counting scale can be very overwhelming to use especially if it was designed overseas and doesn’t utilize easy to understand keys. This is where the UWE lineup and the Brecknell B140 can be tricky for a lot of people since it’s not the most intuitive keypad. Likewise the Pennsylvania 7600 is not the most intuitive design we’ve ever seen. If you need some recommendations on easy to use counting scales, contact us and we can assist. Try looking at the A&D HCi and the Worldweigh C100 to start with for easy to use parts counters.
Final Thoughts
So as we wrap up this definitive guide for purchasing electronic parts counting scales, as with many items these days, you can find a counting scale at just about any price you are looking to pay. The problem is you often get what you paid for. You’ve probably heard that saying before and it’s generally pretty accurate. Many of the cheap counting scales that are priced under $200 usually include 99% plastic and 1% aluminum construction and they just aren’t designed for long-term use. Our recommendation is to spend north of $500 and purchase something that should provide a more long term use. Be sure to check out our counting scale page to see all the counting scales we offer.
By considering factors such as scale accuracy, max capacity, adequate sample size, battery life, durability, and easy to use interface, you can make an informed decision that works for your business. The truth is that a high quality industrial counting scale will streamline your business, improve your productivity, and drastically improve your inventory control and it’s just flat out better than counting parts out by hand!