Mettler Toledo ML3002E Precision Balance Teardown
Mettler Toledo ML3002E/03 Analytical Balance Teardown

    

    
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        Mettler Toledo ML3002E/03 Analytical Balance Teardown
        General DataTechnical DataNo internal adjustment in this model. In ML3002, there is a little built in weight to calibrate itself.Note the weighing technology - "MonoBloc" instead of a strain gauge. Amazing device, horrible UI.Another view. Note the blue plastic piece on the side is peeling off.Calibration sticker.The blue side decal is peeling off.Why would they ever design a $2300 balance with soft press buttons!? The buttons on this thing has no feedback what-so-ever. There is an option to turn on beep in the software. WHY!?Looks nice.METTLER TOLEDO.RS-232 and a 12V input.Made in Switzerland. That means 70% of the COGS of this balance must be produced in Switzerland.Weighing pan.Top side of the die cast weighing pan brace. Note the finish.Underside of the die cast weighing pan brace.Weighing pan.Remove the two (custom?) screws to undo the weighing pan guard.Custom screws? These are used to hold down the weighing pan guard.I presume the balance is quite sensitive to shock loading. Hence the soft plastic covers to support the weighing pan.Nice metal threaded inserts for to hold weighing pan guard.Top appears to be ABS plastic.Nicely machined pins that support weighing pan.Bubble level next to the LCD screen. This is important for accuracy.Atleast CHF 100k in lawyer fees.Underbelly.Feet appears to be made of ABS plastic. Read: Cheap.Balance is actually balanced (pun intended) on 3 points, at the back there is a metal spike that contacts the working surface.What are these two hole covers?Can't find under carriage weighing holes, perhaps for a different model? This is so that you can hang weights instead of top loading.Battery compartment.Bog standard battery holder.Battery holder is horrific.T20 Torx everywhere.Hex will have to do, trying to find T20 Torx.Unscrew four screws located on the bottom side and the top cover comes off.Undo display ribbon cable.Some RF shielding.Display PCB. Nothing to see here.Display board.LCD driver.RF shield.Ground point?Chemical residue has seeped inside the cover.Chemical residue has seeped inside the cover.PC-ABS. Why wouldn't they use something better? Polyaralyamide, PBT, PC, Nylon wouldn't cost much for a low volume product.Yeah...this is what happens when you use cheap plastic and/or don't spec the hole diameter for a metal insert.EMF shield is ultrasonically welded.Ahem... the "guts". Drooooooool.More drooling.Puddle of drool....Matte green finish on the PCB. Appears to be absolutely top notch. No expenses spared.Pardon the distortion and horrible yellow/green tinge from Flourescent lighting.Top quality PCB. No cost savings here.Battery for backup.Just beautiful.NXP ARM processor, circa 2013. The white label is not a sticker, tried removing it.Balancing pins.T15 Torx. I am not going to remove this as this is part of the load cell. It can be irreparably damaged.Plate to hold down cables.Load cell floats.Business in the back.Power board next to RS-232 port.Finally found T20 Torx.Apparently, I needed a longer T20 Torx but T15 works (fingers crossed).Removing the load cell from the frame.Base frame. Die cast aluminum, dated 14 Aug 2013.Load cell.Load cell.Load cell part #. Looks like it was revised 4 times.The construction of this is absolutely mind boggling.Not sure what this is for.Inside the load cell.Inside the load cell.Check out those brass pins/screws.I am glad I didn't take this thing apart. There are a few incredibly tiny strain gauge wires. Appears to be 50-100um thick. Compare it with the trace on the flex pcb.I think this load cell has been serviced or opened by unauthorized means - those tiny wires are supposed to be tucked in the grooves.Can't see the PCB. Probably the most expensive chip here is a 24-bit ADC.Note the flex PCB.Glorious!The end.
        


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