Hengping FA2004 Analytical Balance

Overview

The Hengping FA2004 is a Class I analytical balance engineered for precision mass measurement in regulated and research-intensive laboratory environments. It operates on the electromagnetic force compensation principle—a high-stability transduction method where sample weight is counterbalanced by a precisely controlled electromagnetic current, yielding direct digital output proportional to mass. This architecture ensures long-term stability, minimal drift, and intrinsic linearity across its full 200 g capacity range. Designed to meet OIML R76-1 requirements for Class I instruments, the FA2004 delivers a readability of 0.1 mg (100 µg) with verified repeatability of ±0.1 mg under controlled ambient conditions (ISO 9001-compliant calibration environment, temperature stability ±2 °C, humidity <70 % RH non-condensing). Its robust mechanical design includes a monolithic sensor housing and low-thermal-expansion alloy components, minimizing sensitivity to thermal gradients and mechanical vibration—critical for gravimetric analysis in QC labs, pharmaceutical formulation, and academic materials science.

Key Features

• Five-sided fully transparent glass draft shield with ergonomic front access—optimized for operator visibility and sample handling while maintaining aerodynamic stability during microgram-level weighing.
• Backlit LCD display with intuitive open-menu interface—enables rapid navigation without nested submenus; all primary functions (tare, unit switch, counting, density mode) accessible via dedicated soft keys.
• Electromagnetic compatibility certified to IEC/EN 61326-1 (EMC Class 5)—validated for operation in electromagnetically noisy environments including adjacent centrifuges, RF equipment, and industrial HVAC systems.
• Integrated bottom-loading hook—supports suspended weighing of large-volume or ferromagnetic samples (e.g., metal alloys, catalyst pellets), eliminating pan obstruction and enabling density determination when paired with optional density kit.
• Mechanically reinforced leveling system—featuring oversized rotary leveling feet and high-sensitivity bubble vial—allows precise horizontal alignment within ±0.5°, a prerequisite for achieving stated repeatability per USP and ASTM E898.
• Comprehensive internal diagnostics—automated fault detection at power-on and during operation; full-range tare, four-point linear calibration, overload protection up to 250 g, and auto-zero tracking.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The FA2004 accommodates solid, liquid, and granular samples up to 200 g on its Φ80 mm stainless-steel weighing pan. Its draft shield geometry minimizes convective air currents, enabling stable measurement of volatile solvents and hygroscopic powders. For density determination, the optional density kit (sold separately) provides sinker, thermometer, and calibrated immersion fluid support—compatible with ISO 1183-1 and ASTM D792 protocols. The instrument complies with OIML R76-1 Class I metrological requirements and supports GLP/GMP workflows through traceable external calibration using certified 200 g weights (Class E2 or better). While not natively 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, audit-ready data export via RS232 enables integration into validated LIMS or ELN systems when combined with appropriate middleware timestamping and user authentication layers.

Software & Data Management

Equipped with standard RS232 serial interface (38.4 kbps, ASCII protocol), the FA2004 supports bidirectional communication with PCs, label printers, or automated data loggers. Output formats include real-time weight stream, stable-weight trigger mode, and formatted printouts with date/time stamp, gross/net/tare values, and unit identifiers. No proprietary software is required—standard terminal emulators (e.g., PuTTY, Tera Term) or custom Python/Excel VBA scripts can parse ASCII-delimited streams. Firmware supports configurable baud rate, parity, and stop bits to align with legacy lab infrastructure. All communication events are logged locally only upon explicit user command; no automatic cloud upload or remote telemetry is implemented—ensuring full data sovereignty.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical quality control: Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) assay, excipient blending verification, and reference standard preparation per USP .
• Materials science: Powder density profiling, catalyst loading quantification, and thin-film mass deposition monitoring.
• Environmental testing: Filter weighing for PM2.5/PM10 gravimetric analysis (EPA Method IO-3.2 compliant setup).
• Academic research: Stoichiometric reagent dispensing, polymer molecular weight determination via osmometry sample prep, and electrochemical electrode loading validation.
• Food & beverage: Nutrient fortification verification, moisture content calculation via loss-on-drying (LOD), and sensory panel sample portioning.

FAQ

What is the recommended warm-up time before first use?
The FA2004 requires a minimum 120-minute preheating period after power-on to achieve thermal equilibrium of the electromagnetic sensor and internal reference circuitry—essential for meeting Class I repeatability specifications.
Is internal calibration available?
No—the FA2004 uses external calibration only, requiring a certified 200 g weight (Class E2 or higher) to perform full-span verification and adjustment per ISO/IEC 17025 guidelines.
Can the balance be used for density measurements?
Yes—when equipped with the optional density determination kit (includes sinker, thermometer, and fluid reservoir), the FA2004 supports both solid and liquid density calculations per ISO 1183-1 and ASTM D792.
Does it support multiple weighing units?
Yes—it natively displays grams (g), milligrams (mg), carats (ct), ounces (oz), and troy ounces (ozt), with seamless switching via front-panel controls.
How is overload protection implemented?
Hardware-based current limiting in the electromagnetic coil circuit prevents sensor damage up to 250 g load; the display shows “OL” and halts measurement until load is reduced.