Automatic Weighing and Recording System for Drying Studies
Ahmad Khalilian, David Batchelder, Gerald H. Brusewitz, Galen L. McLaughlin · Transactions of the ASAE · 1983
ABSTRACT AN automatic weighing and recording system in a drying chamber was developed and tested. The system was used to dry 40 alfalfa samples, weighing 150 g each, under controlled temperature and relative humidity conditions. The weight and subsequent change in weight of each sample was recorded automatically at 30-min intervals on an electronic balance/programmable calculator system. The accuracy of the system was determined by comparing the electronic balance recorded weight of each sample with the weight reading from a sensitive balance. The data fitted a linear regression model very well showing a high correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.998) and low coefficient of variation (c.v. = 12%). The standard error of the estimate was found to be 0.03. Different drying conditions, sample sizes, and weighing intervals can be achieved by various modifications of the system.