A&D HR Series Analytical Balance

Overview

The A&D HR Series Analytical Balance is a high-precision, laboratory-grade weighing instrument engineered for reproducible mass measurement in regulated and research-intensive environments. Utilizing electromagnetic force compensation (EMFC) technology, the HR Series delivers stable, drift-resistant readings with 0.1 mg readability across three capacity variants (HR-120, HR-200, HR-300). Designed and manufactured in Japan, each unit integrates thermally compensated load cells and adaptive digital filtering to minimize environmental influence—including air currents, temperature gradients, and mechanical vibration—ensuring metrological integrity under typical ISO 17025-compliant lab conditions. The balance operates within Class I accuracy per OIML R 76-1 and meets the essential performance criteria outlined in USP for analytical weighing applications.

Key Features

• Single-key external calibration: Enables rapid, traceable recalibration using certified weights; user-input correction factor ensures long-term accuracy retention.
• ACAI (Automatic Counting Accuracy Improvement) function: Dynamically refines average piece weight during counting operations by iteratively adjusting sample unit mass based on real-time statistical variance—critical for high-accuracy parts counting in QC labs.
• 13 selectable weighing units—including g, mg, oz, ct, dwt, and %—plus dedicated counting and percentage weighing modes for formulation, dilution, and inventory control workflows.
• Digital tare and sensitivity adjustment: Supports manual tare entry or remote tare value input via RS-232C; adjustable response speed accommodates viscous or settling samples.
• Integrated environmental compensation: Monitors internal thermal drift and applies real-time correction to maintain linearity stability over ambient fluctuations (15–30 °C operating range).
• Optional rechargeable Li-ion battery pack: Provides up to 10 hours of uninterrupted operation without AC power—ideal for mobile QC stations, field laboratories, or backup continuity during grid instability.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HR Series accommodates standard laboratory vessels—including weighing boats, crucibles, and volumetric flasks—on its stainless-steel weighing pan (85 mm or 90 mm diameter, depending on model). Its draft shield-compatible design supports seamless integration with optional acrylic enclosures for microgram-level measurements. All models are preconfigured to generate GLP-compliant audit trails: date/time stamps, operator ID prompts (via optional keypad or PC input), calibration history, and error logs are retained in non-volatile memory. Output reports conform to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with validated software and electronic signature protocols. The balance satisfies ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025, and GMP Annex 11 documentation standards through RS-232C data export (ASCII format) to LIMS or ELN platforms.

Software & Data Management

Data transfer is supported exclusively via RS-232C serial interface (no USB or Ethernet), ensuring deterministic timing and compatibility with legacy lab infrastructure. Output includes raw mass values, unit identifiers, status flags (e.g., “STABLE”, “OVERLOAD”), and metadata headers compliant with ASTM E1578-22 for instrument data exchange. When connected to A&D’s optional WinCT software or third-party validated applications (e.g., LabWare LIMS, Thermo Fisher SampleManager), the HR Series auto-populates calibration certificates with traceable NIST-traceable reference weight IDs, environmental conditions at time of calibration, and uncertainty budgets per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 7.7. Audit trail records are immutable post-generation and support full electronic record retention for ≥2 years as required under EU GMP Annex 11.

Applications

The HR Series serves critical roles in pharmaceutical quality control (e.g., active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) assay, excipient blending verification), academic materials science (powder density characterization, catalyst loading quantification), environmental testing (filter mass gain in PM2.5 analysis), and food safety labs (nutrient fortification validation, moisture loss-on-drying calculations). Its repeatability performance (≤0.1 mg for HR-200/HR-300) enables compliance with USP minimum weight requirements for low-dose formulations. In teaching laboratories, the intuitive interface and multilingual menu (English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean) reduce training overhead while maintaining metrological rigor.

FAQ

Does the HR Series support internal calibration?
No—calibration is external only, performed using certified Class M1 or better weights. Internal motorized calibration is not implemented; this design prioritizes mechanical simplicity and long-term stability.
Is the RS-232C interface optically isolated?
Yes—galvanic isolation is built-in to prevent ground-loop interference when connecting to PCs or PLC-controlled systems in industrial QA settings.
Can the battery option be retrofitted to an existing HR unit?
Yes—battery kits (model BATT-HR) are field-installable without firmware update or service intervention.
What is the warm-up time to achieve full specification accuracy?
15 minutes at stable ambient temperature (20 ±2 °C); extended stabilization (30 min) is recommended after transport or significant ambient shift.
Are calibration certificates supplied with the instrument?
A factory-issued test report (not a UKAS/NIST certificate) is included; accredited calibration must be obtained separately from an ISO/IEC 17025-certified provider using documented procedures.