Journal of Graphic Science of Japan

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Determination of specific shape is an important factor in every field of design in the current computerized society. To discuss shape design, the author started with weights for balances, which mankind has long utilized in a variety of interesting shapes, in pursuit of an ideal shape.
There are many requirements for designing the shape of a weight. The weight, for example, should be small in surface area, stable on the scale pen, easy to handle, and functional according to its purpose. Among the shape parameters of a weight that usually calls for accuracy as the standard of mass measurement, its surface area is more important than expected. So far, however, very few attempts have been made to clarify the effect of an external environment on the weight from the viewpoint of surface area.
Therefore, this report comparatively examined the shapes of commercially available weights with those of OIML, JIS and DIN standard weights. Based on several problems revealed through the study, the author has provided a proposal about an ideal weight shape, as well as a simplified method of calculating the surface area from different weight shapes.

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