Metrology Glossary: Cornerload Error
What Is Cornerload Error?
Cornerload error refers to the variance between the weight exhibited on a scale and the true weight of an object. This divergence arises when the object is positioned at the periphery or off-center of the scale rather than its center. This discrepancy is attributable to the unequal distribution of load cells within the scale, causing them to react more acutely to weight placed on the corners. Although usually minor, cornerload error can hold significant implications for delicate weighing tasks.
Why Is Cornerload Error Important?
Sensitive Weighing:
- Laboratory Balances: Cornerload errors impact precise sample weighing in scientific research, compromising experimental accuracy.
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Inaccurate ingredient weighing due to cornerload errors can jeopardize drug potency and patient safety.
- Quality Control and Calibration: Scale Calibration: Identifying and rectifying cornerload errors is crucial for maintaining scale accuracy during calibration.
- Statistical Process Control (SPC): Analyzing weight deviations from cornerload errors enhances product quality through improved calibration measures.
Industrial Applications:
- Ingredient Weighing in Food Processing: Cornerload errors introduce variations in flavor, texture, and nutritional content.
- Chemical Mixing: Precision is crucial in chemical reactions; cornerload errors can lead to hazardous outcomes.
- Packaging and Labeling: Cornerload errors may result in inaccurate labeling, risking fines for non-compliance.
Research and Development:
- Material Science: Cornerload errors compromise the accuracy of weight distribution measurements, hindering material behavior understanding.
- Robotics and Automation: In robotics, cornerload errors impact weight feedback, affecting the precision of object positioning and manipulation.

Related Terms
The shift test is a systematic procedure used to evaluate the reliability and precision of a weighing scale when subjected to off-center loading conditions....
Cornerload refers to the precise force or weight exerted upon an individual corner of a scale that incorporates multiple load cells....
Calibration involves the comparison of a measuring instrument with a known accurate standard to identify any discrepancies and make necessary adjustments....