Digital Scale Project

Project Summary: I was tasked with designing and fabricating a light weight and ergonomic digital scale for my course, Measurements & Manufacturing Techniques.

What:

Design and fabricate a customizable digital scale, focusing on modularity and user-specific applications. Aim for high measurement precision, targeting scale accuracy specifications. Develop versatile internal components to support diverse enclosure designs.

Constraints:

The device must be powered exclusively by two AA batteries
A dedicated external switch is required for safe and easy power control
Overall size is restricted to a maximum volume of 60 in³
A protective cover meeting at least an IP31 safety rating must enclose the system
The scale must support a Tare function to reset weight measurements
Users must be able to switch between grams and pounds, with results shown to a reasonable precision
All internal components must be accessible for maintenance using mechanical fasteners rather than permanent adhesives.

How:

Utilized lathes, mills, and a water jet for the precision fabrication of load tray components, gaining hands-on experience and understanding of machinist perspective. Used SolidWorks for designing and visualizing the scale's enclosure. Integrated Arduino for the scale's electrical infrastructure to ensure measurement accuracy.

Manufactured Parts

Space Block

Load Tray Mount

Both parts were machined from 6061 aluminum using a combination of fabrication techniques. Each piece was first rough-cut to size using a band saw. The Spacer Block was then completed entirely with milling, which defined its final dimensions and hole placements. The Load Tray Mount, in contrast, required both milling and lathe operations to machine its cylindrical features and precision details.