The larger digital scales have capacities in the area of 600 lb to 800 lb, with some models even going as high as 1000 lb. Most of the wheelchair scales incorporate four load cells into their design.The material that is used to fabricate the load cells will also affect its properties. The most commonly used material is aluminum. Special large sizes can be as large as 36 x 44. The platform size may be as small as 27 x 30 for the most compact chairs. It will not rust, is very strong, and very light.

When the appropriate alloy material is fabricated and is then subjected to a special heating and annealing process, it will produce much better shock load performance. Whereas most load cells can be protected from excessive loads, it is impossible to protect them from shock abuse. In some cases, they may be able to be wheeled to the scale, and then stand up to stand on the platform. The patient's weight may be an indication that they are retaining fluids, and need to receive medical attention. There are also special models for bariatric patients, which can be quite large. The lower the profile of the scale, the easier it will for the wheelchair to be moved onto the platform.While aluminum is not the preferred choice for the load cells, it is ideal for the construction material of the scale itself. This provides a significant overall reduction in the height of the scale. The more accurate units, such as those from Arlyn Scales, will actually display increments of 1 tenth of a pound. A wheelchair scale must be used in this case. While most digital displays consist of numeric digits, the best scales provide a graphics screen.

The best choice, though, is stainless steel. But it is not as rugged as some of the alternatives. It has the benefits of easy fabrication and low cost. Often, though, they may not be able to stand at all. The capacity of the scale is also important. Furthermore, a low profile scale will not Sewing machine parts Manufacturers need as long of a ramp, limiting the amount of floor space that is required. This increases the shock load capability.While the platform size is important, the height of the wheelchair scale platform is also important. There are many doctor's type scales that are appropriate for this purpose. In the case of a wheelchair scale, if it is impacted from the side by another wheelchair, while fully loaded, it is quite easy to damage the load cells. Arlyn Scales provides machined pockets in the frame of the scale to accommodate the load cells. The load cells are attached to the bottom of the scale frame. The patient need only step onto the scale platform to determine their weight. One alternative to the aluminum is nickel plated steel. A welded aluminum scale will provide years of constant use. This is the type of load cell used by Arlyn Scales. This allows the wheelchair scales to be easily moved around the facility. More standard sizes range from about 30 x 36 up to 33 x 39. Even the smallest electronic scales have a capacity of about 400 lb, which need to account both for the weight of the wheelchair and the patient. It is often quite important to keep track of the weight of a patient.

The platform of the scale must be large enough to accommodate the largest size wheelchair that may be encountered. Not only are the digits large and bold for easy reading, but they provide menu choices to prompt the user through the various functions. They sense the amount of weight on the scale platform and convert the weight to an electronic signal.There are a number of scale specifications that may determine their usefulness as a wheelchair scale.The digital indicator must provide a clear, easy to read weight value. When not in use, the scale may be turned on its edge for storage, greatly reducing the amount of floor space required. It may be necessary to make sure that they are receiving proper nutrition and are gaining weight appropriately, or not losing any weight. This often allows the health providers to be alerted quickly and early to any changes. Some of the scales will allow readings with increments of 2 tenths of a pound.This becomes much more difficult for a patient who is confined to a wheelchair. Wheelchairs come in many different sizes, including compact models and more standard units. In addition, the load cells are well protected inside the pockets. The accuracy and the resolution, or smallest readable increment of the scale is also important.