A&D FC-500i ACAI, Fine Mode, RS-232, Remote Scale & Calibration Guide
- pete8781
- Jul 31
- 2 min read
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A&D FC-500i ACAI and fine mode are designed to estimate piece count from average unit weight with much finer calculation resolution than the 0.05 g direct display. Normal counting mode requires about 0.01 g minimum unit weight; fine mode lowers the calculation threshold to 0.0005 g. Neither figure changes the actual direct weighing readability.
Normal versus fine counting mode
Use normal mode for routine parts where each piece has enough mass to produce a robust average. Use fine mode for lighter pieces only when you can create a sufficiently large representative sample. The closer a piece is to the minimum threshold, the more sensitive count accuracy becomes to unit-to-unit variation, static, debris and sampling error.
Calibration with 500 g
A&D specifies 500 g ±0.01 g for calibration. Stabilize and level the scale, use an appropriate reference, perform digital calibration, then verify with another known mass. Do not use calibration to solve bad piece counts caused by mixed parts or an unrepresentative sample; weight calibration and average-piece-weight sampling solve different problems.
RS-232C architecture
One bidirectional serial interface is standard. FC-03i can add two serial channels so devices such as a PC, printer or scanner can coexist. FC-04i adds one serial channel plus comparator relay output. Because FC-03i and FC-04i are mutually exclusive, decide whether multi-device serial integration or relay control matters more before ordering hardware.
Remote-scale connection
FC-05i allows connection of an external weighing platform. A common two-scale workflow uses FC-500i’s more sensitive local platform to establish unit weight, then a larger remote platform for bulk count quantities. The remote scale must be correctly calibrated and configured; switching platforms does not eliminate the need to validate piece-count accuracy.
Troubleshooting poor counts
If count changes each time the same lot is placed on the scale, check part uniformity, sample size, vibration, static, mixed items and whether the sample/container contacts surrounding surfaces. Re-register average unit weight using a larger sample and ACAI. Verify ordinary weight with a known reference separately before concluding the load cell is at fault.
Frequently asked questions
Normal minimum unit weight? 0.01 g. Fine mode? 0.0005 g. Direct readability? 0.05 g. Calibration mass? 500 g. Can FC-03i and FC-04i be installed together? No. What does FC-05i do? Connects a remote scale. Why can count be wrong when weight is right? Piece variation or poor sampling can create count error even with correct weight calibration.
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