OWM Info Hours

Are you ready to start practicing Advanced Mass weighing designs in your laboratory for customers? Whether you’re currently working through your Advanced Mass Laboratory Auditing Program (LAP) problems or planning to attend the Advanced Mass Metrology Seminar in the future, this Lab Metrology Info Hour (LMIH) webinar is designed for you. Join us to get answers to common questions and practical strategies to help you successfully complete LAP problems. You’ll also learn how to effectively interpret the guidance in NISTIR 5672, Advanced Mass Calibration and Measurement Assurance Program for State Calibration Laboratories, to meet the approved signatory training criteria outlined in NIST Handbook 143, State Weights and Measures Laboratories Program Handbook.

The current NIST Handbook 133 test procedure for testing liquid food packages uses a gravimetric method to determine the density of the liquid. Determining the density gravimetrically can be very time-consuming and could result in reduced inspections of liquid packaged products. NIST OWM is collecting test data comparing the density measurements of products using the Portable Digital Density Meter (PDDM) Measurement to the NIST HB 133, Section 3.2, Gravimetric Test Procedure for Non-Viscous Liquids.

This is the last year (2025) that NIST Handbooks 44, 130, and 133 will be printed in hard copy. In this informational session, we will discuss how to effectively move through and access information within Portable Document Format (PDF) NIST OWM Handbooks. We will demonstrate how a NIST Handbook publication in a PDF file format can be displayed using various tools and features, including page navigation, bookmarks, search functions, links, and document structure, enabling them to quickly locate specific content within complex PDF documents, often utilizing a PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat. (June 24, 2025)

OWM Info Hours: Tips and Tools for Navigating the PDF Electronic Version of NIST Handbooks

NIST OWM has a statutory responsibility to promote “cooperation with the states in securing uniformity in weights and measures laws and method of inspection.” This is conducted through our partnership and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NCWM to collaborate towards the same goal of promoting marketplace equity and uniformity in weights and measures laws, regulations, standards, and practices in the U.S. (May 15, 2025)

OWM Info Hours: NIST OWM's Role within NCWM and the U.S. Weights and Measures System

Leon Chao from the NIST Physical Measurement Laboratory presents his team's work designing and building a prototype for a commercial, tabletop Kibble balance that could revolutionize mass calibrations. (May 1, 2025)

OWM Info Hours: Revolutionizing Mass Calibrations with the Tabletop Kibble Balance

The NIST Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) is hosting a series of Information Hours, or "Info Hours,” to feature insights on topics relevant to legal metrology and documentary standards through an informal forum of technical discussions and Q&A. In this week's session, Leon Chao from the NIST Physical Measurement Laboratory presents his team's work designing and building a prototype for a commercial, tabletop Kibble balance that could revolutionize mass calibrations.

Additional links:
How We're Redefining the kg (Veritasium): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo0jm1PPRuo
The Last Artifact (PBS): https://www.pbs.org/video/the-last-artifact-bvn9ea/
Redefining the Kilogram (Science Friday, NPR): https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/redefining-the-kilogram/

A discussion regarding NIST Handbook 44 Section 2.20., S.1.2.1. Digital Indicating Scales, Units to clarify and ensure scales are designed to properly determine an accurate net weight, specifically the role that mathematical agreement between the gross, net, and tare weight values plays when a tare mechanism is in operation. This session is intended to capture the recent experiences and anticipated needs of the weights and measures community who are responsible for regulating, designing, or evaluating weighing instruments. (March 20, 2025)

OWM Info Hours: Mathematical Agreement in Tare Operations

A discussion regarding new measurement technology in legal metrology devices as well as devices that use established technology in new or unique weights and measures applications. This includes (but is not limited to) bi-direction metering and wireless charging for EVs, driverless taxis, and caper cart mobile and “no scan” point of sale systems. This session is intended to capture the recent experiences and anticipated needs of the states and other stakeholders using this emerging technology. (February 20, 2025)

OWM Info Hours: Emerging Legal Metrology Device Technology

A discussion on how to find all required marking information during jurisdiction inspections of EVSEs, including the type and format of general and device-specific marking information applicable to electric vehicle fueling systems or electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) based on NIST Handbook code requirements. (August 15, 2024)

OWM Info Hours: EVSE General and Device Specific Markings

A discussion on the transition of NIST Handbook 44, 130, and 133 to new electronic file formats (PDF) and eventually into a full “digital” format, including how to best leverage this resource as a field resource tool.  The session is intended to capture the needs of the states and address any issues or concerns. (August 29, 2024)

OWM Info Hours: Digitalization of NIST Handbooks

A discussion regarding the evolution of weighing and measuring devices and the impact of software on the legal metrological control of these devices, including any threats to software-controlled devices and what measures are taken to secure measurement results. This session is intended to provide guidelines on how to verify compliance with software-controlled devices, consider the role of type evaluation, and provide information on the new NCWM Publication 14 on software and on the most recent international developments. (September 11, 2024)

OWM Info Hours: Software in Metrological Devices

Manual Weight Entries. An informal discussion on NIST Handbook 44 Scales Code paragraphs S.1.12. Manual Weight Entries and UR.3.9. Use of Manual Weight Entries including the history of these paragraphs and how to interpret and apply them, what must be printed on recorded representations, when a manual weight can be entered, and the conflict between the specification and the user requirement. (June 5, 2024)

OWM Info Hours: Manual Weight Entries

A discussion on the importance of grain moisture meter measurements and their economic impact, which will include the system of grain moisture measurements in the U.S., the economic impact of grain moisture measurements, and resources for States with grain moisture meter programs. (June 25, 2024)

OWM Info Hours: The Importance of Grain Moisture Meter Measurements

Uniform E-Commerce Model Regulation. A discussion on the new model regulations within NIST Handbook 130, as adopted in 2023, will help explain what information is required on e-commerce sites offering products for sale and the product information required accompanying delivery. It will also discuss the benefit of price, quantity, and identity information during an e-commerce transaction. (July 30, 2024)

OWM Info Hours: Uniform E-Commerce Model Regulation