How to Choose the Right Arlyn Scale for Your Application

Start with four decisions: the weight range and resolution you need, whether the area is hazardous, what the scale will be exposed to (corrosives, washdown, heavy loads), and how the readings must reach your systems. Arlyn Scales organizes its catalog around exactly these variables—capacity and resolution, load cell construction, form factor, and communication—so matching your requirements to a product line is straightforward. The guidance below covers each decision in order, with the published specifications and starting prices from Arlyn's site.

Step 1: Set capacity and resolution first

Capacity and resolution are the two numbers that eliminate most of the catalog immediately. Arlyn publishes both for each line:

Two practical rules apply. First, buy capacity above your heaviest expected load—typically 10–20% headroom—because overload is the most common cause of load cell failure. Second, check that the resolution is fine enough for your smallest acceptable measurement. If you weigh additives or small parts where a few thousandths of a pound matter, the Ultra Precision line is the only fit; if you weigh drums or pallets, a standard industrial or platform scale is sufficient and far cheaper.

Step 2: Decide whether the area is hazardous

If the scale will sit in an area with flammable vapors, dust, or gases, you need the ArlynGuard line. Arlyn describes these as intrinsically safe—meaning the electrical energy and heat in the scale and its wiring are limited so they cannot ignite the surrounding atmosphere—for a range of hazardous area classes, divisions, and groups. ArlynGuard models come in Bench, Cylinder, Platform, and Floor form factors with heat-treated stainless steel load cells.

If you already own a compatible scale but need safe electronics, the MKE-5-IS Intrinsically Safe Digital Indicator ($969) is the standalone option. If you need both hazardous-area safety and ultra-fine resolution, the Intrinsically Safe Ultra Precision Scales – ArlynGuard S ($2,629) combine both.

Before ordering, confirm your specific class, division, and group against the rating on the model you select—"intrinsically safe" is a rating tied to a defined environment, not a blanket property.

Step 3: Match the construction to the environment

All Arlyn industrial scales use stainless steel strain gauge load cells, which the company positions as protection against difficult factory conditions. Beyond that baseline:

• Corrosive materials (acids, caustics, drummed chemicals): choose the Corrosion Resistant Scales for weighing cylinders and drums of corrosive materials ($1,289).
• Cylinders, pails, and tanks: the Cylinder Scales ($699) are built for containers that are awkward to place on a flat platform.
• General platform weighing: Platform Scales with Industrial Technology ($759) cover the most common floor-level tasks.
• Very large vessels: Chlorine Ton Scales ($4,119) are the heavy-duty option for cylinders and tanks at ton scale.

If your environment involves washdown or chemical splash, verify the enclosure rating for the specific model rather than assuming stainless steel alone is sufficient.

Step 4: Choose the form factor

Arlyn's catalog maps to five physical formats:

1. Platform — flat deck for boxes, bags, and general loads.
2. Cylinder — cradles or bases for cylinders, pails, and tanks.
3. Floor — low-profile, high-capacity weighing for pallets and drums.
4. Bench — smaller footprint for workbench weighing.
5. Indicator — a separate display/controller when you need to upgrade an existing scale or add a touchscreen interface.

The Arlyn UpScale Touchscreen Indicator ($599) is the latest addition for users who want a modern interface on an industrial scale.

Step 5: Confirm how data leaves the scale

Arlyn states that its industrial scales offer a variety of standard communication options including Wi-Fi and USB. Decide early whether you need:

• A local digital readout only (any standard indicator).
• Wired integration to a PLC or PC (USB or serial).
• Wireless data capture into inventory or ERP software (Wi-Fi).

Communication requirements can change which indicator you order, so settle this before checkout rather than retrofitting later.

A quick selection path

• Hazardous area, standard precision → ArlynGuard Bench, Cylinder, Platform, or Floor ($1,799+).
• Hazardous area, ultra-fine precision → ArlynGuard S ($2,629).
• Tiny weights, high sensitivity → Ultra Precision Scales ($1,369+); the SAW transducer design is the differentiator here.
• Corrosive drums or cylinders → Corrosion Resistant Scales ($1,289).
• Routine platform weighing → Platform Scales ($759) or the base Industrial Scales line ($579+).
• Upgrading an existing scale → UpScale Touchscreen Indicator ($599) or MKE-5-IS ($969) for hazardous areas.

Before you order

Confirm three things against the product page for your chosen model: the exact capacity and resolution, the hazardous-area rating if applicable, and the communication interface. Prices shown are starting prices and vary by configuration. Arlyn sells factory-direct through its online checkout, so the configured price appears at checkout rather than on the category page.