Use the table below to compare the scales. Once you have formed your opinion vote for each one!
| Brand | A&D | Arlyn | Arlyn | Arlyn | Arlyn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | GP-100K | SAW-H | SAW-HL | SAW-JL | SAW-KL |
| Capacity kg | 101,000 g | 90,000 g | 90,000 g | 140,000 g | 230,000 g |
| Capacity lb | 200 lb | 200 lb | 200 lb | 300 lb | 500 lb |
| Readability | 1 g | 1 g | 1 g | 1 g | 2 g |
| Linearity | 2 g | 2 g | 2 g | 3 g | 5 g |
| Sensitivity Drift | 6 ppm | 6 ppm | 6 ppm | 6 ppm | 6 ppm |
| Operating Temp | 5 – 40 | 0 – 50 | 0 – 50 | 0 – 50 | 0 – 50 |
| Pan Size | 13.6″ x 15.2″ | 12″ x 16″ | 20″ x 23″ | 20″ x 23″ | 20″ x 23″ |
| Safe Overload | 150 kg | 360 kg | 450 kg | 500 kg | 600 kg |
| Technology | Force Motor | SAW | SAW | SAW | SAW |
| Price | $4,545 | $1,499 | $2,099 | $2,299 | $2,599 |
| Purchase | Purchase | Purchase | Purchase | Purchase | |
Industrial Scales have traditionally been available using two different types of technology. The standard units use strain gage load sensors. These have been around for fifty years or more. Accuracy has slowly improved over this time as micro-computer based electronics have improved the digital conversion of the analog signals coming from the sensors, and have enabled better temperature and linearity compensation. None the less, accuracy for good quality industrial scales is generally considered to be 1/10 of 1%.
Many applications require higher precision. This can be the case for high precision formulation and mixing, or many other high accuracy applications. The second technology type, usually called “Force Motor” or “Force Restoration”, has been able to provide accuracy levels that are ten to twenty times better. But this becomes very costly for High Capacity units. The A&D GP-100K is the only scale of this type that ScaleCompare was able to review.
The Arlyn Scales units seen here offer a technology that they call “Ultra Precision Surface Acoustic Wave Scales”, or SAW scales. They are currently the only company we have found that can provide this technology. For these high precision high capacity scales, the specifications are similar to the A&D. The operating temperature covers a wider range. The “Safe Overload” specification is also much higher, indicating that it is much better suited for survival in difficult industrial environments, where there may be repeated cases of shock load or overload on the scale platform. Typically, that is the type of situation where the other, “Force Motor” precision scales will experience failure. It is also important to note that the price of the SAW scale is considerably lower than the other units shown. The 200 lb capacity scale is available in a standard size platform and an oversize platform. The 300 and 500 lb capacities are only offered with the larger platform, which seems logical.
Both of the brands shown here are well known, and have had a long term presence in the industry. A&D is based in Japan, but provides substantial presence here. Arlyn is based in the United States.