On Monday, August 25, 1997 2:46 AM, pic microcontroller discussion list  On
Behalf Of Jacques Vrey wrote:
> Hi to all.
>
> I was wondering if anyone out there has attempted to make an
> electronic scale using PIC's. I have a few ideas for the PIC side
> of things but 'What to use for a SENSOR??' I was thinking of
> strain guages but over here in sunny South Africa, these are either
> hard to come by or very costly. I'm considering a LVDT (Linear
> Variable Differential Transformer) option but I wan't to keep
> mechanics to a minimum. I was wondering if any of you out there have
> some idea's that you would like to share on the topic.
>
> Thanks.
>
> P.S. Thanks to Mal Goris, Andrew Errington and Don McKenzie for
> their help, my programmer is now up and running!
>
> Jacques Vrey
> Iscor Profile Products Newcastle
> Tel:27-(0)3431-48759
> jvrey@it.new.iscorltd.co.za
>
>
Hello Jacques,

Years ago we did a talking scale that used a Pic. The technology was an
optical up/down counter that was spun by a spring mounted mechanism. The unit
measured in pounds, kiligrams, ounces and stone ans spoke in all of the
radixes. The trick was to keep the count going while the multiplies and
divides for radix conversion was being accomplished and displayed in real
time.

Therefore, not strain guage at all and it was "inexpensive".

Tom