*NEW PRODUCT* Mark-10 5 Series Force Gauge - Totalcomp Scales & Components

Series 5 advanced digital force gauges are designed for tension and compression force testing. Reversible housing allows the gauge to be handheld or mounted to a test stand. Large backlit graphics LCD display. 5 selectable units of measure: lbF, ozF, kgF, N, kN, mN (depending on model). Keys are: ENTER, ON, UNITS/DIRECTION, DATA/DELETE, ZERO, MENU/ESCAPE, MODE. Data can be transferred to a PC or other data collector via USB, RS232, Mitutoyo (Digimatic), or analog outputs. High speed 7,000 Hz peak sampling rate. 1,000 point data memory with statistics and outputs. Live load bar with set point markers. Programmable set points, with alarms and outputs. Peak readings and set points always displayed. Averaging mode calculates average readings over time. External trigger mode for switch contact testing or remotely stopping display update. Configurable audio alarms and key tones. Password protection, configurable for individual keys and calibration. Included items: Carrying case with chisel, cone, V-groove, hook, flat, extension rod, universal voltage AC adapter, battery, quick start guide, USB cable, resource CD and NIST traceable certificate of calibration with data. 3 years warranty.

http://www.totalcomp.com/force-and-torque-5-series-mark10-force-gauge-c-684_1126.html

Totalcomp the weigh you want today! http://www.totalcomp.com/

*NEW PRODUCT* Cardinal 180 Digital Weighing Indicator - Totalcomp Scales & Components

304 stainless steel enclosure. Versatile mounting bracket for wall or desktop. 0.56” highly visible LED. Easy operation, 6 key keypad. On demand serial data. Continuous serial data. Serial connectivity for Output to One Label/Ticket Printer or PC. Cardinal Control Ticket/Label Printing Configuration. Remote display/keypad for other Cardinal indicators. NTEP 06-105A1 III/III L 5,000 div.

http://shop.totalcomp.com/catalog/cardinal-weighing-indicators-180-cardinal-indicator-c-325_336_1105.html

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Low Cost Force and Torque from Totalcomp Scales & Components

Totalcomp carries low cost Force and Torque from Mark-10 - http://shop.totalcomp.com/catalog/force-and-torque-c-684.html

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Low Cost Crane Scales from Totalcomp Scales & Components

Totalcomp carries a variety of low cost Crane Scales from CAS, Salter Brecknell, Intercomp and Hydroscale - http://shop.totalcomp.com/catalog/crane-scales-c-586.html

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Low Cost Bench Scales from Totalcomp Scales & Components

Totalcomp carries a variety of low cost Bench Scales from Totalcomp, Ohaus, CAS, Acculab, AND, Sartorius, Transcell and Tanita - http://shop.totalcomp.com/catalog/bench-scales-c-438.html

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Open Letters to NCWM by Rudy Kolaci, President of Totalcomp (Letter 2 of 3)

Letter Two: NTEP on load cells is not good for the scale industry.

NTEP, when applied to load cells, is a detriment to the scale industry. It will stifle innovation, new products and new companies from developing new products.

For years after NTEP was introduced load cells did not have NTEP certificates. At one point some of the larger load cell manufacturers wanted to push to have NTEP certificates for load cells thinking that the burden of getting a certificate would limit the competition. Their idea did not work. It did not stop new manufacturers from competing with them. It simply increased the cost of the load cell.

There appears to be a conflict in the NCWM procedure when load cells need NTEP certificates but scales can have an NTEP certificate and use non-NTEP load cells. I noticed on certificate 08-008 a bench and counter scale uses a non-NTEP load cell. That means that when the load cell is repaired or replaced it would be replaced with a non-NTEP load cell. It seems contradictory that a counter scale can have a non-NTEP load cell but a truck scale must have an NTEP load cell.

Innovation for load cells can be envisioned by this one example.

New load cells can be made without temperature compensation when the microprocessor used by the scale or indicator does a more efficient job.

The temperature can be sensed at the load cell with a thermister and the microprocessor will calibrate the scale including the effects of temperature changes. The result is a better and more accurate scale that costs less. The load cells can be made more efficiently and quickly without the temperature requirement. Having an NTEP certificate requires that the load cell perform to specifications when subjected to a temperature range. The innovation would not be allowed if an NTEP certificate is required for this component of a scale.

Luckily we do not need NTEP certificates for the other components.

The load cell does not need an NTEP certificate. Just as the A/D converter doesn’t have one. Just as the junction box doesn’t have one.

As well as the mounting hardware, eyebolts, potentiometers, resistors, integrated circuits, wire, capacitors, oscillators and other components used in building a scale that effect the accuracy. If any one of these items is faulty, poorly designed, improperly installed the scale will not work properly. Just as these items do not have NTEP certificates, the load cells do not need them either. The NTEP certificate for load cells should be discontinued.

I think that we want the scale industry to flourish. We need to remove the restrictions that are imposed when an NTEP certificate is required for a load cell.

Featured in the Weighing & Measurement magazine, December ‘09 issue.