1、Designation: E319 85 (Reapproved 2014)Standard Practice for theEvaluation of Single-Pan Mechanical Balances1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E319; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last
2、revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon () indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONThe balance performs two basic functions: (1) it compares an unknown load with one or moreweights, and (2) it indicates the
3、 difference between the two loads for differences smaller than thesmallest weights normally used on the balance. The test procedure given herein measures the precisionwith which the balance can compare the two loads, and the rates at which systematic errors may affectthe observed difference.1. Scope
4、1.1 This practice covers testing procedures for evaluatingthe performance of single-arm balances required by ASTMstandards.1.2 This practice is intended for but not limited to sensitivityratios of 106or better and on-scale ranges of 1000xd or morewhere d = reability either directly or by estimation.
5、1.3 This practice can also be applied to other single-panbalances with mechanical weight changing of different capaci-ties or sensitivities with appropriate test loads and calibrationweights.NOTE 1Mechanical balances of this type have largely been replacedby automatic electronic balances incorporati
6、ng a variety of operationalprinciples. Nevertheless, some single-pan mechanical balances are stillmanufactured and many older balances will remain in service for years tocome. One type of automatic electronic balance, the so-called “hybrid,”bears considerable similarity to single-pan mechanical bala
7、nces of the nulltype. (1)21.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations pr
8、ior to use.2. Terminology2.1 Definitions(1):2.1.1 accuracythe degree of agreement of the measure-ments with the true value of the magnitude of the quantitymeasured (2).2.1.2 correction for a weightthe correction for the error inadjustment is:Cr.W 5 A 2 N (1)where:Cr.W = correction for the error in a
9、djustment to nominalvalue,A = actual value of the weight, andN = nominal value.NOTE 2In practice it is not possible to adjust weights exactly to theirnominal values.2.1.3 correction for error in scale indication the correc-tion for the scale indication, I, is:Cr.I 5 A 2 I (2)NOTE 3The correction for
10、 the scale is taken with reference to themeasured value of a weight used as a test load during calibration of theon-scale range.2.1.4 index of precisionthe standard deviation, computedin any acceptable manner, for a collection of measurementsinvolving a given pair of mass standards (3).NOTE 4The sta
11、ndard deviation is computed from the data provided bythe instrument precision test (see Section 7) index of precision.2.1.5 null-type balancea balance which requires, as thefinal step in its operation, that the observer restore the angle ofthe balance beam to its original (or null) position. The lea
12、stsignificant figures of the balance indication are obtained fromthis operation.2.1.6 optical-type balancein this type the least significantfigures of the balance indication are related to the deflectionangle of the beam from its original (or null) position. A scaleplaced on the moving beam is optic
13、ally projected onto the(stationary) balance case to provide this indication.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E41 on LaboratoryApparatus and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E41.06 on WeighingDevices.Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2014. Published November 2014.
14、 Originallyapproved in 1968. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as E319 85 (2008).DOI: 10.1520/E0319-85R14.2The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end ofthis practice.Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428
15、-2959. United States12.1.7 precisionthe repeatability of the balance indicationwith the same load under essentially the same conditions.NOTE 5The more closely the measurements are grouped, the smallerthe index of precision will be. The precision must be measured underenvironmental conditions that re
16、present the conditions under which thebalance is normally used.2.1.8 readabilitythe value of the smallest decimal subdi-vision of a scale division in terms of mass units, that can beread, when the balance is read in the intended manner.NOTE 6The readability of a particular instrument is not a measur
17、e ofits performance as a weighing device. The relationship between thenumerical value obtained by reading devices and the ability of the operatorto estimate the location of the reference device or index is important. It ispossible to introduce a large number of readable subdivisions of the mainscale
18、 divisions that would increase the “readability” as defined but if thereading device cannot be reset to the same numerical value when the beamis in an immovable condition, or when the load on the beam is a constantvalue, the readability becomes meaningless. Readability substantially lessthan 1 stand
19、ard deviation as determined by repeated measurement with agiven test weight is usually superfluous.2.1.9 scale divisionthe smallest graduated interval subdi-vided either by estimation or with the aid of a vernier.Subdivisions which appear as divisions on the vernier are notconsidered to be scale div
20、isions, but rather parts of scaledivisions.2.1.10 sensitivity weighta small weight used to measurethe “on-scale” deflection of the balance indicator.NOTE 7With single-pan balances the sensitivity weight should beequal to the value of the smallest built-in weight represented by the firststep on the d
21、ial for the smallest weights.2.1.11 test loada load chosen to represent the sample loadin the test procedure.2.1.12 value of the divisionthe change in load required tochange the balance indication by one scale division. Thereciprocal of the sensitivity is its most useful function.3. Summary of Pract
22、ice3.1 The accuracy of the direct-reading scale, the smallestweight of the set of built-in weights, and uniformity ofsensitivity between the upper and lower halves of full-scaledeflections are verified by preliminary tests.3.2 Estimates of rate of change of the zero with time, rate ofchange in the v
23、alue of the scale division with time, and aquantitative measure of the variability or random error areprovided by short tests for precision and bias.3.3 An overall test of the direct-reading capability is pro-vided by tests of the built-in weights.4. Significance and Use4.1 Monitoring Weighing Perfo
24、rmanceThis practice pro-vides results in the form of control charts which measure theweighing capability at the time of the test. A series of tests atappropriate intervals will monitor balance performance over aperiod of time. A marked change from expected performancemay result from a variety of cau
25、ses including: maladjustment,damage, dirt, foreign material, and thermal disturbances. If thetest results are to indicate future performance, any disturbancesthat occur exterior to the balance must be brought under control(2).4.2 Acceptance TestsThis practice may also be used asacceptance tests for
26、new balances. For this purpose, the testsshould be conducted under favorable, but not necessarily ideal,conditions. Since systematic error in the course of the zero andthe course of the sensitivity may be caused by disturbancesexternal to the balance, limits on these errors are not ordinarilyprescri
27、bed in acceptance requirements.5. Preparation of Apparatus5.1 Balance (In all cases, the balance should be used inaccordance with the manufacturers instructions):5.1.1 The results obtained will depend on the environment.Select an area which is free of excessive vibration and aircurrents, where rapid
28、 changes in temperature and relativehumidity will not be encountered, and where the floor is rigidenough to be free of a tilting effect on the balance indication.Place the balance on a sturdy bench. If the balance has beenmoved to a new location, permit it to come to thermalequilibrium for at least
29、1 h before performing the test,preferably several hours.5.1.2 Inspect and test the balance to make sure that it is inproper mechanical order. Arrest and release the beam to makesure that readings are approximately repetitive. Observe theindication during arrest and release to ensure that there is no
30、“kick” that would indicate that arrestment points might be outof adjustment. If necessary, have the balance adjusted by acompetent balance technician.5.1.3 Make a few trial measurements of the interval fromzero to the full-scale indication.5.2 Reading the BalanceThe balance should be read inaccordan
31、ce with the instructions supplied by the manufacturer.Optical types should include the reading of verniers or mi-crometres. Null types should include the indication of thedevice for restoring to null including verniers or micrometres.6. Preliminary Testing of Single-Arm Balances6.1 Summary of Method
32、With single-pan balances thesmallest built-in weight, indicated by the first step on the dial,is compared with a calibrated weight. The direct-reading scaleis tested for agreement with the smallest built-in weight and thesensitivity is adjusted, if necessary, so that the indications ofthe scale are
33、precise in terms of the calibrated weight. A“fifty-fifty” test verifies the accuracy of the midpoint athalf-full scale. This test should be performed before proceed-ing to other tests. After the accuracy of adjustment of thesmallest built-in weight is verified, this weight is used to testfull-scale
34、deflections. Tests are also made for the uniformity ofdeflection over the lower and upper halves of the full-scaledeflection. The preliminary tests show either that the balance isoperating properly, or that discrepancies indicate the presenceof sources of error. Uncertainties of perhaps one milliont
35、h ofthe balance capacity may be caused by dirt or foreign materialin the bearings, or by unskilled handling, while larger discrep-ancies may be caused by worn or damaged knife-edges or othersources such as electrostatic effects.Any necessary cleaning orE319 85 (2014)2servicing should be done at this
36、 point. If discrepanciescontinue, other possible sources of uncertainty should bestudied. There is no point in proceeding with routine testprocedures until acceptable results can be obtained with thepreliminary tests.NOTE 8With null-type balances (including the hybrid) it is possible touse the flexu
37、re of a segment of metal, quartz, etc. as the main pivotsinstead of knife edges. A flexure pivot is by its nature free of problems ofdirt. Flexures are also generally more robust than knives. The chiefproblem associated with flexures is that they act like springs and thus adda restoring force which
38、may vary with time or temperature. This drawbackcan be minimized by careful design and all but eliminated by the use ofservo-control in electronic balances.6.2 Materials:6.2.1 A watch or clock which indicates seconds,6.2.2 Pencils for recording data,6.2.3 Columnar data sheets (If balance performance
39、 will bemonitored periodically, it may be useful to enter data directlyinto a personal computer which has been programmed for thistask.),6.2.4 A calibrated weight designated S1 which has thenominal value equal to the smallest interval on the dial-operated weights, and6.2.5 Two weights of half of the
40、 nominal value of S1designated (12)1 and (12)2. (These weights need not becalibrated but they should bear distinguishing marks, prefer-ably one, and two dots.)6.3 ProcedureAdjust the “no-load” readings to a pointnear the center of the vernier so that zero drift or otherdeviation will not cause a neg
41、ative scale reading. Perform thepreliminary tests, loading the pan and changing the dialsettings according to the schedule in Table 1. Before releasingthe beam, record the load on the pan and the dial setting so thatthe observation will be confined to the scale reading. Releasethe balance and observ
42、e the scale reading. Record the indica-tion and verify the stability of the scale reading, then arrest thebalance promptly.6.4 Calculations for Preliminary Tests:6.4.1 Compute D1, the value of the smallest built-in weightas follows:D1 5 a 2 b1f 2 e!/2#1S1 (3)where: a, b, f, and e are taken from Tabl
43、e 1, and S1 = cali-brated value of test weight.6.4.2 Compute S1 in scale divisions to verify the full-scalevalue on the direct-reading scale as follows:S1 5 c 2 b1d 2 e!/2 (4)where c, b, d, and e are taken from Table 1. Adjust thebalance sensitivity if necessary so that the full-scale readingequals
44、D1.6.4.3 Compute average scale difference, A, for lower 50 %of direct-reading scale as follows:A 5 g 2 f1j 2 k!/2 (5)6.4.4 Compute average scale difference, B, for upper 50 %of direct-reading scale as follows:B 5 h 2 g1i 2 j!/2 (6)A and B should agree within 3 standard deviations (see7.5.3).Any disc
45、repancy smaller than 3 standard deviations maybe ascribed to uncertainty in the preliminary measurements anddoes not necessarily indicate a real change in the value of thescale divisions.6.4.5 Inspect the no-load readings, a, f, and k for agreementor zero drift.6.4.6 See Table 2 and Fig. 1 for examp
46、les of calculationsand observation form.7. Instrument Precision (4)7.1 Summary of Method:7.1.1 A set of four readings is repeated four times, or more,to obtain pairs of readings with identical loads:7.1.1.1 A reading near zero,7.1.1.2 A reading near the upper end of the scale,7.1.1.3 A reading near
47、the upper end of the scale with a testload plus a small weight, and7.1.1.4 A reading near zero with the test load but with thesmall weight removed.7.1.2 Readings are taken at a steady pace as rapidly aspracticable, consistent with good practice, and the time isobserved at the start of each set of ob
48、servations and at the endof the test.7.1.3 The balance indications are plotted on a graph toprovide a visual presentation of errors. The zero readings areconnected to show the course of the zero with time. Theresponse of the balance to the small weight is plotted. Thecourse of the sensitivity with t
49、ime is represented by a plot ofTABLE 1 Schedule for Preliminary Tests of Single-Arm BalancesObservation Time Pan Load Dial Setting Scale Readinga Record the time zero 0 .b S1A1 .c S1A0 .dWait30sS1A0 .e S1A1 .f Record the time 0 0 .g(12)1B0 .h Add (12)2B(12)1+(12)2B0 .iWait30s12)1+(12)2B0 .j Remove (12)1B(12)2B0 .k Record the time 0 0 .AS1 = calibrated weight of nominal value equal to the smallest dial-operated weight.B(12)1and (12)2= weights of nominal value equal to12 S1 (not necessarily calibrated but marked for identification).E319 85 (
