Sartorius AG (Germany) - We recently asked customers what more they wished their high-resolution lab balance could do. What stood out from the feedback was that many balances do not perform reliably in a “real” lab environment. Another point of frustration was routine cleaning, which is an important part of regulatory compliance. So as any good Genie of the Lab would do, we decided to dig in to really understand what makes for a perfect high-resolution balance.

I grant you three wishes:

High-resolution lab balances are sophisticated instruments that can provide precise measurements with exceptional readability, making them indispensable tools in applications like pharmaceutical research, analytical chemistry, and quality control testing. Compared to a standard balance, these balances have a higher resolution, which means they can detect smaller weight increments.

Purchasing a high-resolution laboratory balance is a big investment, so it’s important that it delivers on the challenges scientists face. Based on a thorough information gathering process, we learned that customers want three things in a high-resolution lab balance: They want it to deliver accurate weighing data in their lab environment, be easy to clean, and adapt to meet their evolving needs. Let’s unpack these wishes one by one.

1. Make the lab balance adapt to my lab:

A reasonable question to ask when purchasing a lab balance is: will it perform as promised in my lab?  No two labs are exactly alike; variations in environmental factors like temperature, humidity, air current, vibration, and electromagnetism, can significantly impact the performance of a lab balance. Changes in temperature, for example, can cause thermal expansion or contraction of the balance components, leading to measurement inaccuracies. Vibrations from foot traffic or nearby instruments can cause unstable readings and, therefore, high variability in results.

Lab weighing technologies use sophisticated engineering to compensate for environmental effects and maintain weighing accuracy and stability. Other measures like a draft shield are designed to physically block disturbance from air flow and prevent electrostatic effects within the weighing chamber. In addition to the capabilities of the balance itself, users can minimize environmental effects by placing the balance away from vents, windows, and other areas where above average disturbance is expected.

2. Make the lab balance easy to clean:

Balances get used daily and are exposed to a range of sample types. Contaminants such as dust, chemicals, or residue from previous samples left on the pan or in the weighing chamber can affect the balance's performance. Cleaning the balance thoroughly before each use helps to eliminate such errors and ensure data integrity. Industries that are subject to strict regulations and quality standards, like pharmaceuticals and food and beverage, must adhere to specific cleaning protocols for laboratory equipment, including balances.

To clean a lab balance, you need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommended cleaning schedule. Some lab balances make this easy with integrated software that provides step-by-step instructions for the whole process. For the deep cleanings, it should be easy to remove and reassemble components, like the display, glass shields, weighing pans and the base plate. Importantly, the material used to build the balance must be tolerant of standard chemicals used to wipe down the surfaces. 

3. Make the lab balance future-proof:

This may sound too good to be true, but some lab balances are coming close by offering built-in upgradability features that are truly next-level. When buying a lab balance, it’s hard to predict what you will need in the future. Maybe you don’t need an automated draft shield now, but you will later. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could make your existing unit transform to accommodate your changing needs, without having to buy a new balance?

Aside from hardware, software upgradability is also important. Let’s say that your research focus shifts, and you need access to different methods or regulatory compliance capabilities. With some advanced systems you can always add on new software to your existing balance. 

Your wish is my command

Sartorius is the first to deliver on all three wishes with their most advanced offering under the well-known Cubis® line, the Cubis® II Ultra-High Resolution balances. These balances give you accurate weighing data under actual laboratory conditions thanks to a next-generation monolithic weighing system, intelligent temperature management, and a new inner and outer draft shield construction. To help with those dreaded cleanings, a new Cleaning software guides you through every step. Also, cleanability is part of the design, with built-in contamination prevention and parts that can be easily removed and reassembled. 

The most unique innovation on the Cubis® II Ultra-High Resolution balance is its modular design that lets you add new hardware features to your existing unit after purchase. You don’t need a fully loaded balance right now? No problem! Buy only what you need, and rest assured that you can add functions like automated external and inner draft shields, ionizer, or climate sensor later. Imagine that!

To learn more about the new Cubis® II Ultra-High Resolution balances visit the product page on the link below.