Skip to content
Logo

Hackaday

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Hackaday.io
  • Contests
  • Submit
  • About

optical feedback

1 Articles

DIY Watt-Balance Redefines Your Kilograms From Scratch

September 30, 2016 by Moritz Walter 34 Comments
national_prototype_kilogram_k20_replica
The definition of the kilogram is still a chunk of metal.

Machined from a chunk of a virtually indestructible platinum-iridium alloy, the international prototype kilogram (IPK) was built to last for an eternity. And yet, being the last remaining, physical artifact in a club of fundamental SI units, the current definition of the kilogram has worn out. Most certainly the watt-balance will take its place, and redefine the kilogram with a true, physical phenomenon. [Grady] just built his own watt-balance from scratch, and he provides you with a decent portion of scientific background on the matter.

Continue reading “DIY Watt-Balance Redefines Your Kilograms From Scratch” →

Posted in Misc HacksTagged electromagnetic actuators, electromagnets, optical feedback, shadow sensor, si units, watt balance

Search

Never miss a hack

Follow on facebook Follow on twitter Follow on youtube Follow on rss Contact us

Subscribe

If you missed it

  • A Brief History Of The Crazy Old 7-Segment Display

    12 Comments
  • Art of 3D printer in the middle of creating a Hackaday Jolly Wrencher

    Is Now The Time For Volumetric 3D Printing?

    25 Comments
  • Ultra-Long Range Flights To Ease Australian Air Travel

    56 Comments
  • Know Your Food: Organic Production

    35 Comments
  • UDP Broadcasting And Easily Finding Network Services

    22 Comments
More from this category

Our Columns

  • This Week In Security: Escaping Linux VMs, Vulnerable Solar, Confusing AI (Again), And Confusing NPM Malware

    No comments
  • FLOSS Weekly Episode 874: Really, We Do PDFs

    No comments
  • Linux Fu: The Local Phonebook

    30 Comments
  • When An Engineering Education Doesn’t Teach You How To Really Make Anything

    99 Comments
  • Hackaday Europe 2026: Is Your Blood Pressure Monitor Lying To You?

    21 Comments
More from this category

Search

Never miss a hack

Follow on facebook Follow on twitter Follow on youtube Follow on rss Contact us

Subscribe

If you missed it

  • A Brief History Of The Crazy Old 7-Segment Display

    12 Comments
  • Art of 3D printer in the middle of creating a Hackaday Jolly Wrencher

    Is Now The Time For Volumetric 3D Printing?

    25 Comments
  • Ultra-Long Range Flights To Ease Australian Air Travel

    56 Comments
  • Know Your Food: Organic Production

    35 Comments
  • UDP Broadcasting And Easily Finding Network Services

    22 Comments
More from this category

Categories

Our Columns

  • This Week In Security: Escaping Linux VMs, Vulnerable Solar, Confusing AI (Again), And Confusing NPM Malware

    No comments
  • FLOSS Weekly Episode 874: Really, We Do PDFs

    No comments
  • Linux Fu: The Local Phonebook

    30 Comments
  • When An Engineering Education Doesn’t Teach You How To Really Make Anything

    99 Comments
  • Hackaday Europe 2026: Is Your Blood Pressure Monitor Lying To You?

    21 Comments
More from this category

Recent comments

  • Dan on Browser-Based Image Inpainting Runs Locally, If One Doesn’t Mind A Big Download
  • Nathan on Mechanosynthesis Of Atomic Carbon Structures Using Inverted-Mode STM
  • RunnerPack on Get A Handle On This Compact Pi Portable
  • dremu on When An Engineering Education Doesn’t Teach You How To Really Make Anything
  • Dragan on This DIY Time Server Is More Accurate Than You Need
  • dremu on Three Different Digital Counters To Remind Us How Good We Have It
  • Gus Mueller on A Super Cheap Desk Toy Becomes A Hackable Desktop Notifier
  • Z on Browser-Based Image Inpainting Runs Locally, If One Doesn’t Mind A Big Download
  • Z on Browser-Based Image Inpainting Runs Locally, If One Doesn’t Mind A Big Download
  • Andrew Ray on When An Engineering Education Doesn’t Teach You How To Really Make Anything
Logo
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Hackaday.io
  • Video
  • Submit A Tip
  • About
  • Contact Us

Never miss a hack

Follow on facebook Follow on twitter Follow on youtube Follow on rss Contact us

Subscribe to Newsletter

Copyright © 2026 | Hackaday, Hack A Day, and the Skull and Wrenches Logo are Trademarks of Hackaday.com | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Digital Services Act | Do not sell or share my personal informationCookie Management
Powered by WordPress VIP

Loading Comments...