Floor Scale Calibration | Platform & Pallet

Floor scale and platform scale calibration

Floor, platform and pallet scales have a hard life. Pallet trucks drive over them, they get overloaded and they stand in dust, damp and cold. MASSLAB calibrates them at your location with calibrated M1 weights. Our own weights and equipment go up to 2,000 kg per piece, so heavier scales are no problem either.

Which scales does this cover?

Bench and table-top scales in production, dispatch and shops;
Platform scales with a separate or built-in weighing platform;
Floor scales and pit-mounted scales set into the floor;
Pallet scales and pallet trucks with a weighing function;
Counting scales and checkweighers with a weighing range of up to several tonnes;
Weighing systems with load cells under tanks, silos and hoppers, where calibration with weights is possible.

On-site calibration with our own weights

We bring the weights required for the weighing range of your scale ourselves: from knob weights for the low measuring points to block weights of 500 or 1,000 kg. With our own transport and forklift equipment we place them safely on the scale. You do not need to arrange any weights or handling equipment yourself.

According to EURAMET cg-18 we measure:

the repeatability, with a load that is placed several times;
the eccentricity, by placing the load in the centre and on the corners of the platform, which is important for scales on which pallets are rarely placed exactly in the centre;
the indication error, at several points up to or close to the maximum weighing range.

If the maximum capacity exceeds the weights available on site, the calibration can be extended with a substitution load in accordance with cg-18. We discuss this with you in advance.

Common deviations

With floor and platform scales we often see the same causes of deviations in practice:

Dirt under the platform or in the pit, causing the platform to bind;
Damaged or damp load cells and cables as a result of collisions or cleaning with water. We can also calibrate an individual load cell separately;
An uneven floor, causing the corners to weigh differently;
Overloading by loads that are too heavy or loads that are dropped onto the scale.

We always record the condition as found first. Only then do we clean and adjust, after consulting you. This way the certificate shows how the scale performed before the intervention, and you can assess whether earlier weighings were reliable.

Legally verified scales

Do you use the scale to charge by weight, for example in wholesale, recycling or when weighing out prepacked goods? Then it must be legally verified and carry the M mark. With a legally verified scale we cannot simply continue after adjustment or a repair to the weighing mechanism: a re-verification is then required. As a Recognised Verifier (Erkend Keurder) under the Dutch Metrology Act, we carry this out during the same visit, so that the scale can be used again straight away.

Frequently asked questions

Which weight class do you use for floor scales?

Usually M1 weights from our own laboratory. For finer scales we use F2 or F1 weights where necessary, so that the uncertainty of the weights does not dominate the result.

Do I need to arrange weights or a forklift myself?

No. We bring the weights and the necessary equipment. It is helpful, however, if the scale is clear and accessible at the agreed time.

How often should a floor scale be calibrated?

Annually is customary. With intensive use, harsh conditions or critical weighings a shorter interval is advisable, as it is after a collision or overloading.

Can a pallet truck with a weighing function also be calibrated?

Yes. We also calibrate weighing pallet trucks according to EURAMET cg-18, paying attention to the repeatability and the position of the load on the forks.

Can the scale simply stay in place during the calibration?

Yes, we calibrate at the place of use. The scale is only unavailable for your own work during the measurements.