OHAUS Explorer® Large-Capacity Precision Balance

Overview

The OHAUS Explorer® Large-Capacity Precision Balance is an industrial-grade analytical balance engineered for high-reproducibility mass measurement in demanding laboratory, production, and quality assurance environments. Designed around electromagnetic force compensation (EMFC) transduction technology, it delivers stable, drift-free readings across its full 12 kg to 35 kg capacity range with 0.1 g readability. Its robust aluminum die-cast chassis and 377 × 311 mm stainless steel weighing pan support heavy, irregular, or bulk samples—common in concrete testing labs, food manufacturing QC lines, pharmaceutical raw material verification, and materials science workflows. The balance meets international metrological requirements per OIML R76 (F1 class) and ASTM E617 (Class 1 or Class 2, depending on model), ensuring traceable, legally defensible results in regulated settings.

Key Features

• Fully automatic internal calibration system with motor-driven calibration mass deployment—no manual intervention required; calibration verified at startup and at user-defined intervals.
• Sub-second stabilization time (≤1 s) achieved via adaptive digital filtering and real-time damping control, minimizing throughput bottlenecks during high-volume checkweighing or piece counting.
• 5.7-inch full-color resistive touchscreen (640 × 480 px) with dual proximity sensors enabling glove-compatible, non-contact gesture navigation—eliminating physical button wear and contamination risk in cleanroom or wet-process environments.
• IP54-rated base enclosure protects internal electronics from dust ingress and water splashes; removable front panel shield further enhances durability in humid or particulate-laden facilities.
• Integrated below-balance hook for density determination (with optional sinker kit) and suspended load applications—enabling ASTM D792-compliant solid density measurements without external fixtures.
• Two-dimensional mechanical overload protection absorbs lateral and vertical shock loads—critical when handling large containers or palletized samples on the pan.
• Optional rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack supports up to 10 hours of continuous operation, facilitating mobile use across warehouse zones or field-deployed QA stations.
• Adjustable-height casters (sold separately) allow ergonomic repositioning on uneven floors while maintaining level stability via built-in bubble vial and adjustable feet.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Explorer® Large-Capacity Balance accommodates diverse sample forms—including wet, granular, viscous, or thermally unstable materials—thanks to its oversized stainless steel pan and low-profile design that minimizes air-current interference. Its OIML F1 certification (for EX24001ZH and EX35001ZH models) and ASTM Class 1 compliance ensure suitability for legal-for-trade applications such as packaging line verification and batch release documentation. All models support GLP/GMP data integrity requirements: RS232 output includes timestamped, operator-ID-tagged records compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 principles (when paired with validated third-party software). Built-in audit trail logging captures all critical events—including calibration, zeroing, unit changes, and parameter modifications—with immutable timestamps and user attribution.

Software & Data Management

Data export is standardized via RS232 serial interface with configurable baud rates (up to 115,200 bps) and protocol options (OHAUS ASCII, Modbus RTU, or custom delimiter formats). The balance natively supports direct integration with LIMS, SAP QM, and MES platforms through standard drivers. On-device memory stores up to 1,000 weighing records with metadata (date/time, operator ID, unit, application mode). All 13 onboard languages—including English, Spanish, German, French, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese—are fully localized for menu navigation, error prompts, and report generation. QWERTY-style soft keyboard and numeric keypad accelerate entry of sample IDs, batch numbers, and GLP-mandated annotations during routine QC documentation.

Applications

• Quality Control & Manufacturing: Checkweighing pre-filled packages against target weight tolerances; statistical process control (SPC) using built-in SQC functions (mean, SD, CV%, Cp/Cpk).
• Materials Testing: Weighing concrete specimens per ASTM C109/C39; aggregate sampling in civil engineering labs.
• Food & Beverage: Ingredient batching, yield calculation, and net-weight verification under USDA/FDA labeling regulations.
• Pharmaceuticals: Raw material receipt inspection, excipient dispensing, and formulation support—fully traceable per Annex 11 and ICH Q7 expectations.
• Education & Research: Teaching metrology fundamentals, density analysis of polymers/metals, and long-duration stability studies requiring drift-compensated performance.

FAQ

Does the Explorer® Large-Capacity Balance support ISO/IEC 17025-compliant calibration documentation?
Yes—when calibrated by an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited service provider, the balance’s internal calibration log and event history provide auditable evidence of calibration status, interval adherence, and environmental conditions during verification.

Can the balance operate in a cold room or high-humidity environment?
The IP54 base rating and sealed transducer housing permit operation in ambient temperatures from 10 °C to 40 °C and relative humidity up to 80 % RH (non-condensing); extended-range variants are available upon request.

Is the RS232 interface compatible with modern Windows/macOS systems?
Yes—using a USB-to-serial adapter (e.g., FTDI chipset-based), the RS232 port connects seamlessly to current-generation PCs; OHAUS provides free WinWedge-compatible drivers and CSV export templates.

What regulatory standards does the balance meet for pharmaceutical use?
It satisfies core GMP requirements for weighing instrumentation per EU GMP Annex 11 (data integrity), USP (analytical instrument qualification), and FDA guidance on electronic records—provided proper SOPs govern calibration, maintenance, and data review.