{"title":"Scientific \u0026 Research Scales","description":"\u003ch2 id=\"weighing-small-samples-at-sea\"\u003eWeighing small samples at sea\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBiological sampling on a research vessel asks for readings in grams or tenths of a gram, taken on a deck that never stops moving. At that resolution, vessel motion, vibration and even air movement can exceed the resolution you need. The M3 Series is a scientific marine scale designed for this work: motion-compensated, made of stainless steel 316L and available from 300 g with 0.1–0.2 g readability up to 6000 g with 2–5 g readability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"choosing-a-scientific-marine-scale\"\u003eChoosing a scientific marine scale\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReadability and capacity.\u003c\/strong\u003e Size the scale to your heaviest sample plus container; a lower capacity reads finer. See \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/knowledge\/capacity-and-readability\"\u003ecapacity and readability explained\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlatform size.\u003c\/strong\u003e The 120×120 mm platform is available with all five capacities; the 270×270 mm platform takes larger samples at 1500, 3000 or 6000 g.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDraught protection.\u003c\/strong\u003e A windcover is available for the 120×120 mm platform.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMobility.\u003c\/strong\u003e A carrying case and battery make the scale easy to move between stations or vessels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eData.\u003c\/strong\u003e The M3 connects to the R10 indicator range for reporting, statistics and printing, and to WeightControl for automatic logging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/knowledge\/choosing-scientific-marine-scale\"\u003eChoosing a scientific marine scale\u003c\/a\u003e works through these points in detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"accuracy-and-calibration\"\u003eAccuracy and calibration\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo effects matter for precise work at sea. Motion changes the force on the load cell from moment to moment, which motion compensation corrects; \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/knowledge\/how-motion-compensation-works\"\u003ehow motion compensation works\u003c\/a\u003e explains the principle. Gravity itself also varies with latitude, by about half a percent between the equator and the poles, which matters on long cruises; see \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/knowledge\/gravity-latitude-calibration\"\u003egravity, latitude and calibration\u003c\/a\u003e. Practical tips for handling small samples are in \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/knowledge\/precision-weighing-small-samples\"\u003eprecision weighing of small samples at sea\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"research-applications\"\u003eResearch applications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScientific marine scales are used on \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/fisheries-research-vessels\"\u003efisheries research vessels\u003c\/a\u003e for biological sampling and on other research platforms wherever small quantities must be weighed on board. The \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/research-vessels\"\u003eresearch vessels hub\u003c\/a\u003e collects articles on sampling, data logging and scale selection.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"m3-scientific-marine-scale","title":"M3 Series Scientific Marine Scale","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe M3 Series is a scientific marine scale for weighing small samples accurately at sea, on research vessels and other ships. It has three platform sizes, 120×120 mm, 145×145 mm and 270×270 mm, and five capacities: from 300 g with 0.1–0.2 g readability up to 6000 g with 2–5 g readability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"precision-on-a-moving-deck\"\u003ePrecision on a moving deck\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVessel motion disturbs every reading, and with small samples that disturbance is large compared with the resolution you need. The M3 is motion-compensated: it adjusts automatically for the fluctuations in force caused by waves and vibration, so the displayed value stays usable at sea. \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/knowledge\/why-scales-fail-at-sea\"\u003eWhy ordinary scales fail at sea\u003c\/a\u003e explains the physics and \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/knowledge\/how-motion-compensation-works\"\u003ehow motion compensation works\u003c\/a\u003e explains what compensation achieves. If your cruises cover a wide range of latitudes, read \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/knowledge\/gravity-latitude-calibration\"\u003egravity, latitude and calibration\u003c\/a\u003e as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"built-in-316l-stainless-steel\"\u003eBuilt in 316L stainless steel\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe M3 is made of stainless steel 316L, a low-carbon grade chosen for harsh marine environments. The construction is waterproof and robust enough for daily use on deck and in a wet laboratory. For the difference between steel grades and what enclosure ratings mean, see \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/knowledge\/stainless-steel-304-316-316l\"\u003estainless steel 304, 316 and 316L compared\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/knowledge\/ip-ratings-ip67-ip68-ip69k\"\u003eIP67, IP68 and IP69K explained\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"options-for-fieldwork\"\u003eOptions for fieldwork\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe M3 can be configured for the way your team works:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWindcover\u003c\/strong\u003e (120×120 and 145×145 mm platforms): shields the pan and sample from air movement, which matters when you read to tenths of a gram on an open deck.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCarrying case\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003ebattery\u003c\/strong\u003e: for moving the scale between sampling stations or vessels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBluetooth LE\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eUSB\u003c\/strong\u003e: for sending readings to a tablet, laptop or data system.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeightControl IOT module\u003c\/strong\u003e: automatic logging of every weighing, with export and an API.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"reporting-and-data\"\u003eReporting and data\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe M3 can be connected to the R10 range of indicators, which adds built-in reporting, statistics and printing that can be customised to your sampling protocol. With \u003ca href=\"\/products\/weightcontrol-weighing-software\"\u003eWeightControl\u003c\/a\u003e, readings are logged automatically and exported as CSV or JSON. See \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/knowledge\/weighing-data-logging\"\u003eweighing data logging\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/knowledge\/scale-api-integration\"\u003econnecting a scale through an API\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"typical-applications\"\u003eTypical applications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBiological sampling on \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/fisheries-research-vessels\"\u003efisheries research vessels\u003c\/a\u003e: individual specimens and sub-samples.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeighing small quantities of sample material during scientific surveys, as described in \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/knowledge\/precision-weighing-small-samples\"\u003eprecision weighing of small samples at sea\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAny task on board where a bench scale in kilograms is too coarse.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/research-vessels\"\u003eresearch vessels hub\u003c\/a\u003e brings together articles on sampling, data handling and scale selection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"choosing-the-right-configuration\"\u003eChoosing the right configuration\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose the platform first, then the capacity. The 120×120 mm platform (M3-S) is available with all five capacities (300, 600, 1500, 3000 and 6000 g). The 145×145 mm platform (M3-M) takes 600 to 6000 g. Both can have a windcover. The 270×270 mm platform (M3-L) takes larger samples or containers and is available with 1500, 3000 and 6000 g.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lower capacity gives finer readability, so size the scale to your heaviest sample plus any container. \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/knowledge\/choosing-scientific-marine-scale\"\u003eChoosing a scientific marine scale\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/knowledge\/capacity-and-readability\"\u003ecapacity and readability explained\u003c\/a\u003e walk through the decision. Then choose your model in the \u003ca href=\"#models\"\u003emodels table\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/quote\"\u003erequest a quote\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WPL Industries","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":63536037069130,"sku":"M3","price":0.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0649\/0446\/2588\/files\/m3-scientific-marine-scale-01.jpg?v=1789414591"}],"url":"https:\/\/marineweighing.com\/collections\/scientific-research.oembed","provider":"WPL Industries","version":"1.0","type":"link"}