The Weights and Measures Regulations 1963

PART VIII COUNTER MACHINES

Materials and principles of construction

79.  Counter machines shall not be constructed upon the accelerating weighing instrument principle.

80.—(1) Where the beam of a counter machine has two side members, they shall be connected together by not less than two cross bars; and the supports for the pans shall be of suitably rigid structure, such as crosses strengthened by straps.

(2) The centre forks of counter machines shall be so fixed that they cannot twist or get out of place.

81.  The bearing surfaces and points of contact of all stays, hooks and loops of counter machines shall be of hard steel or gate or of other material approved by the Board.

82.—(1) Where a counter machine is adjusted by means of a balancing box, the box shall be permanently fixed beneath the weights pan and shall only be large enough to contain loose material to an amount not exceeding 1 per cent, of the capacity of the machine.

(2) No other means of adjustment shall be fitted, except where the machine is of a pattern in respect of which a certificate of approval granted or deemed to have been granted under section 12 of the Weights and Measures Act 1963 is in force.

Testing

83.—(1) In testing counter machines, the inspector shall satisfy himself—

(a) in the case of non-self-indicating machines, that the minimum movement of the beam from the horizontal in either direction is as follows:—

Capacity of machine	Minimum movement of beam from the horizontal
Not exceeding 4 pounds	¼ inch
Above 4 pounds and not exceeding 7 pounds	No math image to display inch
Above 7 pounds and not exceeding 28 pounds	⅜ inch
Above 28 pounds and not exceeding 56 pounds	No math image to display inch
Above 56 pounds	½ inch

(b) that, when the pans are loaded to half the capacity of the machine (the load being uniformly distributed) and the knife-edges or bearings are moved laterally or backwards and forwards within their limits of movement, there is no appreciable difference in the indications of weight shown by the instrument.

(2) When the goods pan is not in the form of a scoop, the machine shall indicate the same weight within half the prescribed limits of error if the centre of a load equal to half the capacity of the machine is placed on the goods pan anywhere within a distance from the centre equal to one-third of the greatest length of the pan, or, if the pan has a vertical side, against the middle of that side; the load on the weights pan being entirely on that pan but in any position on it.

(3) Where the goods pan is in the form of a scoop, the machine shall fall within the prescribed limits of error when a load equal to half the capacity of the machine is placed against the middle of the back of the scoop and again when a like load is placed in any position on the scoop; the load on the weights pan being entirely on that pan but in any position on it.

84.  Parts I and III of Schedule 2 hereto shall have effect for prescribing limits of error in relation to counter machines.

Stamping

85.  The stamp shall be placed upon the plug or stud provided for that purpose on a conspicuous part of the counter machine.