Meet the analytical balance punching well above its weight

In this SelectScience^® interview, we speak with expert Christian Weidner, product manager at Sartorius, about the importance of precision weighing and how the Entris^® II balance is accelerating research by providing scientists with increased accuracy, reliability, and efficiency to help overcome common weighing setbacks. Christian Weidner highlights how this balance family includes features that are usually only accessible in more expensive products and looks ahead to a future where compliance and connectivity will be ever more important.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Sartorius

CW: I have a background in information technology, and I completed a degree in business administration. After my studies, I worked as a product manager and then as a production engineer for a company that manufactures devices for medical technology, automotive and cashless payments. I joined Sartorius in November 2011 as product manager within the metrology team, which is responsible for mass comparators and weights. In 2013, I started my role as product manager for basic and standard laboratory, as well as niche market, analytical and precision balances.

What are the biggest challenges your customers are facing?

CW: The biggest challenge in the basic and standard laboratory area is that customers do not necessarily need high-end weighing technology, but they want to have safety and convenience features at an acceptable price level.

How does the Entris^® II help overcome these challenges?

CW: The Entris^® II comes in two product lines, so that the customer can find a balance that meets their specific weighing needs. These product lines are: The essential line and the advanced line. The essential line forms the basis for all basic weighing tasks, whereas the advanced line offers additional value to the Entris^® II portfolio.

The portfolio offers features and functions that are normally available in much more expensive balances, including high chemical resistance for easy cleaning, built-in real-time level support to simplify balance leveling, and isoCAL which provides internal temperature and time-controlled calibration and adjustment to assure compliant operation. Other key features include a hybrid screen for excellent readability and use, up-to-date connectivity methods (USB type C) and backwards compatibility (RS232), a real ‘PC-direct feature’ for easy connection to a PC and built-in applications with GLP/GMP-compliant printout and data output.

How does this technology increase lab efficiency?

CW: Entris^® II offers the largest portfolio of basic lab balances. The user has to become familiar with the balance to begin with and then will be able to work with any other balance within the portfolio. The Entris^® II Essential Line has what we call a hybrid screen. The hybrid screen combines the best out of two technologies: LED technology, which provides a clear structure and easy-to-read user interface, and touch technology for ease of use. Besides that, with just a click you can easily adapt the balance to your specific ambient conditions. In regard to the Advanced Line, these models are equipped with a full-graphic display combined with touch technology, as easy to use as operating a smartphone.

How does the Entris^® II increase accuracy and repeatability?

CW: The models are equipped with up-to-date technology and a monolithic weighing cell, which has been invented by Sartorius to offer the fastest stabilization time in its class and the best repeatability for all models over the whole product family. This instrument is also easy to integrate within the lab, combined with a modern connectivity concept. Starting with the Entris^® II Essential Line: These models have two interfaces, a future-proofed USB Type C interface and an industry-proofed RS232 9-pin interface to ensure backwards compatibility. In addition to this, the Entris^® II Advanced Line comes with a second USB Type C interface, which enables multiple connections to external devices, e.g., to a printer, a second display and a computer in parallel.

What do you see as the future developments in this area?

CW: I think that functionalities that are still premium today will be standard in our balances, which will be exciting. I also believe that connectivity and compliance with regulatory requirements will become more and more important over time.