A fluid container measurement system employing a load cell linkage member is disclosed. The fluid container measurement system is configured to suspend a load measurement assembly a distance above a support surface. The load measurement assembly houses a load cell and a measurement control circuit. The measurement control circuit is coupled to the load cell and configured to receive electrical signals indicative of a force imposed on the load cell. The load measurement assembly also includes or is configured to receive a load cell linkage member mechanically linked to the load cell. In this manner, a load placed on the load cell linkage member will be exerted on the load cell. Electrical signals generated by the load cell indicative of the force exerted on the load cell can be used to measure the fluid container attached to the load cell linkage member.

A swivel foot assembly for a force plate or balance plate is disclosed herein. The swivel foot assembly includes a foot attachment component including a stem portion and a body portion, the stem portion of the foot attachment component configured to be attached to a force plate or balance plate; and a foot base component including a receptacle for receiving the body portion of the foot attachment component, the foot base component configured to be disposed on a support surface. The swivel foot assembly is configured to accommodate an uneven support surface on which a force plate or balance plate is disposed so that a force measurement accuracy of the force plate or balance plate is not adversely affected by stresses resulting from the uneven support surface.

A swivel foot assembly for a force plate or balance plate is disclosed herein. The swivel foot assembly includes a foot attachment component including a stem portion and a body portion, the stem portion of the foot attachment component configured to be attached to a force plate or balance plate; and a foot base component including a receptacle for receiving the body portion of the foot attachment component, the foot base component configured to be disposed on a support surface. The swivel foot assembly is configured to accommodate an uneven support surface on which a force plate or balance plate is disposed so that a force measurement accuracy of the force plate or balance plate is not adversely affected by stresses resulting from the uneven support surface.

An apparatus for characterizing a wafer comprising an aligner comprising a chuck for receiving and rotating the wafer, a sensor for detecting the position of the wafer as it is rotated, a first actuator for lowering and raising the wafer vertically, and a second actuator for moving the chuck horizontally; and a weighing scale comprising a weight sensor disposed proximate to the aligner, and a cantilevered arm extending laterally from the weight sensor over the chuck of the aligner, the cantilevered arm having a through hole surrounding the chuck. The chuck is vertically movable relative to the weighing scale from a first position in which the wafer is supported by the chuck to a second position in which the wafer is supported by the cantilevered arm of the weighing scale. A method for characterizing a wafer using the instant apparatus is also disclosed.

An apparatus for characterizing a wafer comprising an aligner comprising a chuck for receiving and rotating the wafer, a sensor for detecting the position of the wafer as it is rotated, a first actuator for lowering and raising the wafer vertically, and a second actuator for moving the chuck horizontally; and a weighing scale comprising a weight sensor disposed proximate to the aligner, and a cantilevered arm extending laterally from the weight sensor over the chuck of the aligner, the cantilevered arm having a through hole surrounding the chuck. The chuck is vertically movable relative to the weighing scale from a first position in which the wafer is supported by the chuck to a second position in which the wafer is supported by the cantilevered arm of the weighing scale. A method for characterizing a wafer using the instant apparatus is also disclosed.

In a weighing sensor for a scale, comprising a base (1), a load receiver (4) jointedly linked to the base (1) by means of a parallelogram linkage, and a lever mechanism having at least two force transmitting levers each having a load arm (14, 23, 28, 35, 39, 46, 54) and an force arm (19, 30, 38), the force transmitting levers (8, 9, 36, 40, 50) being supported by means of supporting joints (17, 24, 29, 37, 42, 48, 55, 60) defining supporting joint pivot points on the base (1), and being arranged one behind the other as seen in the longitudinal direction of the weighing sensor, it is provided that all force transmitting levers (8, 9, 36, 40, 50) are two-sided levers.

In a weighing sensor for a scale, comprising a base (1), a load receiver (4) jointedly linked to the base (1) by means of a parallelogram linkage, and a lever mechanism having at least two force transmitting levers each having a load arm (14, 23, 28, 35, 39, 46, 54) and an force arm (19, 30, 38), the force transmitting levers (8, 9, 36, 40, 50) being supported by means of supporting joints (17, 24, 29, 37, 42, 48, 55, 60) defining supporting joint pivot points on the base (1), and being arranged one behind the other as seen in the longitudinal direction of the weighing sensor, it is provided that all force transmitting levers (8, 9, 36, 40, 50) are two-sided levers.

A packer scale comprises a weighing hopper which is supplied with objects dropped from above, holds the objects for a specified period and discharges the objects downward; first to fourth load cells having shaft-like load application sections, respectively; and first to fourth suspending units which suspend the weighing hopper such that the weighing hopper is mounted to the load application sections of the first to fourth load cells; the weighing hopper includes a hopper body having a tubular shape with a rectangular cross-section, in a plan view; and the first to fourth suspending units are mounted to an upper portion of the hopper body, in locations which are in the vicinity of corner portions of the tubular shape.

A packer scale comprises a weighing hopper which is supplied with objects dropped from above, holds the objects for a specified period and discharges the objects downward; first to fourth load cells having shaft-like load application sections, respectively; and first to fourth suspending units which suspend the weighing hopper such that the weighing hopper is mounted to the load application sections of the first to fourth load cells; the weighing hopper includes a hopper body having a tubular shape with a rectangular cross-section, in a plan view; and the first to fourth suspending units are mounted to an upper portion of the hopper body, in locations which are in the vicinity of corner portions of the tubular shape.

A dynamic scale to achieves a higher throughput, by at least one of a spring steel sheet being installed in the travel direction of the first shaft of the first transport belt, and/or the control of the motors as well as the transmission of the sensor signals taking place via ribbon cables which are arranged parallel to the transport belts, and/or an electronic evaluation of interference oscillations of the signals of the sensors of the weighing cell takes place, within at least one lowpass filter being used, and wherein at least two digital notch filters are used.