In addition to the features and specifications you will look for in any scale you’re about to purchase, when counting functionality is important to your operation, there are another two specifications you’ll want to understand; Display Resolution and Internal Count Resolution. Below are explanations for both.

Display Resolution

This specification refers to the actual numbers that can be seen on the scale display.

For example, a scale with a capacity of 30 kg x 5 g means that the scale will weigh in 5 gram increments up to a maximum weight of 30 kilograms, and will round the display to the nearest 5 grams.

The indicator below shows a scale indicator where the item being weighed is 45 grams and is displayed in 5 gram increments.

Internal Count Resolution

This specification refers to how the scale calculates the weight of one item based on the sample count put on the scale. The higher the Count Resolution, the more precise the count will be especially for light items.

The image below shows a Wedderburn JAWSC300 Counting Scale. It is a typical example of a Counting Scale with a high internal resolution.

In this example:

• Weighing Capacity of the scale is 30 kg x 1 g (as explained above).
• The red container has been “tared” off so that only the contents of the container are weighed and counted.
• JAWSC300 Counting Scales feature an Internal Count Resolution of 1/150,000 counts.
• Left Window displays the weight of the entire contents of the red container
• Middle Window displays the weight of each screw.
• Far Right Window shows that there are 102 screws in the red container

Even though the JAWSC300 Counting Scale displays total weight in 1 gram increments, because it has an internal count resolution of 1/150,000 it can accurately calculate the weight of each screw to mere fractions of 1 gram. In this case to 7.2266 grams rather than rounding up to 8 grams or down to 7 grams.

The result is a highly accurate overall count.

Scales may be advertised as a Bench or Floor/Platform Scale with a Counting Function and others are advertised as a Counting Scale. Wedderburn make a distinct difference between these types of scales and here’s why:

Scales with Counting Functionality
In most cases a bench scale or floor scale has one display and a low internal count resolution. One display allows the user to switch the display from showing the total weight to showing the number of items on the scale.

Below is an example of a scale with one display that also has a function button to change what is shown on the display from total weight to a “pieces count”.

Counting Scales
Unlike a bench or floor scale, a Counting Scale generally has a high internal Count Resolution and typically will have three displays as seen in the image of the JAWSC300 below.

• First display shows the total weight of the items currently on the scale.
• Second display shows the individual weight of an item.
• Third display shows the total quantity (count) of items being weighed.

To get the best performance out of your Counting Scale we recommend the following;

• Always ensure the scale is on a vibration-free and firm level surface.
• Ensure the scale is level.
• Environmental conditions affect weighing accuracy. Open windows, air conditioners, even a light breeze could influence the accuracy of your weighing device.
• The bigger the sample weight, the better the accuracy of the items being counted.
• Choosing a scale with both a high display resolution and a high internal count resolution will offer you more accurate weighing and counts.