This Dictionary of Weighing Terms is a comprehensive practical guide to the terminology of
weighing for all users of weighing instruments in industry and science. It explains more than
1000 terms of weighing technology and related areas numerous illustrations assist
understanding. The Dictionary of Weighing Terms is a joint work of the German Federal Institute
of Physics and Metrology (PTB) and METTLER TOLEDO the weighing instruments manufacturer.
Special thanks go to Peter Brandes Michael Denzel and Dr. Oliver Mack of PTB and to Richard
Davis of BIPM who with their technical knowledge have contributed to the success of this work.
The Dictionary contains terms from the following fields: fundamentals of weighing application
and use of weighing instruments international standards legal requirements for weighing
instruments weighing accuracy. An index facilitates rapid location of the required term. The
authors welcome suggestions and corrections at www.mt.com w eighing-terms. Braunschweig (DE)
and Greifensee (CH) The Authors Summer 2009 Foreword Since its founding in 1875 the
International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) has had a unique role in mass metrology.
The definition of the kilogram depends on an artefact conserved and used within our
laboratories. The mass embodied in this - tefact defines the kilogram and this information is
disseminated throughout the world to promote uniformity of measurements. Although the
definition of the kilogram may change in the re- tively near future reflecting the success of
new technologies and new requirements the task of ensuring world-wide uniformity of mass
measurements will remain.
