A&D EK-300i for Jewelry, Formulation, Small Parts & Inventory
- pete8781
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
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The A&D EK-300i jewelry and small-parts balance combines 300 g capacity with 0.01 g readability, ACAI counting, percent mode and standard RS-232C in a compact stainless-pan format. It is useful for jewelry components, electronics, formulation ingredients, kitting, inventory and internal quality control. EK-300i is not an NTEP legal-for-trade model in A&D’s current U.S. lineup, so a jeweler or retailer selling directly by displayed weight should use the appropriate certified trade device for that transaction while keeping EK-300i for internal production and measurement.
Jewelry components and stones
A 0.01 g display can handle many jewelry findings, chains, finished pieces and component lots where hundredth-gram visibility is sufficient. It is not a carat-certified trade scale and should not be assumed suitable for customer gemstone sales merely because it can display small mass changes. Use it for internal bench work, inventory and production checks; select a legal-for-trade jewelry balance when the transaction itself depends on weight.
Formulation and ingredients
For small formulations, tare a clean vessel and add ingredients against written targets. Percent mode can compare samples to a reference; EK-300i uses a 1 g minimum 100% reference. If a formula calls for milligram-level additions, move to a 0.001 g model. A 0.01 g display is useful for hundredth-gram work but should not be stretched into a method that requires ten times finer resolution.
Electronic parts and fasteners
ACAI counting can handle parts with average unit weight down to 0.01 g and up to around 30,000 displayed pieces when capacity allows. Build a representative sample and let ACAI improve the average as more pieces are added. For tiny components, increase sample size and manually validate a known quantity before trusting a large inventory count. Piece variation can create more error than the balance itself.
QC and incoming inspection
Use known expected weight ranges to screen small assemblies, parts or sample packages. A&D lists 0.01 g repeatability and ±0.02 g linearity, but the acceptance tolerance should be set from the actual process and reference uncertainty. Verify the balance before critical work, identify the instrument/station in records and send data through standard RS-232C when electronic traceability is useful.
Data capture and GLP-style output
RS-232C can send stable weights/counts to a PC, printer or logger, and EK-i supports identifying/calibration output used in GLP/GMP/GCP/ISO-style documentation. That output reduces transcription but does not make the process compliant by itself. Define units, stable-data logic, record retention and verification responsibilities in the full quality procedure.
When EK-300i is too small or not sensitive enough
Choose EK-3000i or another larger EK-i when vessels or parts exceed 300 g. Choose FX-300i or another 0.001 g balance when finer resolution is needed. Choose an underhook-compatible model if suspended/density work is required because EK-300i does not support EKW-07i. Choose an explicitly NTEP model when sale-by-weight approval is necessary.
Frequently asked questions
Is EK-300i good for jewelry and small parts? Yes for internal work within 300 g and 0.01 g readability. Is it NTEP? No. Does it count parts? Yes, ACAI. Minimum unit weight? 0.01 g. Does it have percent mode? Yes. Does it include RS-232C? Yes. Can it connect to a printer/PC? Yes through the supported serial workflow. Does it support underhook weighing? No. When should I choose FX-300i instead? When 0.001 g readability is required.
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