Hardware concept

Fold-out plate scale for restaurant logging.

A portable support-scale concept for weighing a full plate before and after eating. The design prioritizes portability, a real 5 kg platform-rated load cell, fold-out moving arms, integrated display, and a build-ready procurement path.

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Specs

Portable first, honest about accuracy.

The scale can display 0.01 g, but a restaurant table is not a lab bench. The honest target is 0.1 g to sub-gram behavior after calibration, with 0.01 g readability only under stable conditions.

5 kgGross load-cell capacity using a Zemic L6D-C3-5kg single-point platform cell.
190 x 92 x 46 mmStowed fixed body, excluding feet and folded arm pad thickness.
260 mmDinner-plate footprint used in the render and fit check.
$242-$853Current prototype procurement range, dominated by calibration-mass choice.
Load pathPlate to four pads, fold-out aluminum arms, moving bridge, Zemic load cell, fixed aluminum plate, printed body and feet.
ElectronicsAdafruit ESP32-S3 Reverse TFT Feather, SparkFun Qwiic Scale NAU7802, 500 mAh LiPo, Qwiic cable.
Calibration5 kg F1/F2 or borrowed known mass; overload stops set around 0.8 mm to protect the load cell.
Use caseCenter the dinner plate on the pads, tare the plate, add food gently, avoid pressing on the overhanging rim.
Build package

SCAD, renders, STLs, and procurement are drafted.

The current package lives in the Portable Scale workspace. The Excel workbook separates recommended buys, Amazon/local-friendly items, and custom fabrication tasks.

01

SCAD model

Parametric OpenSCAD model with deployed, stowed, dinner-plate, load-path, and exploded render targets.

02

Procurement workbook

Excel order package with Zemic load cell, electronics, aluminum, pivots, overload stops, feet, calibration, and Amazon/local guidance.

03

Fabrication notes

Printed shell and lid; aluminum fixed plate, moving bridge, and four fold-out arms; delivered load cell used as drilling template.