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

  • An Early History Of Space Stations: Where’s My Wheel?

    6 Comments
  • An Early History Of Space Stations: The Brick Moon Made Real

    20 Comments
  • Hackaday Europe 2026: The 1-Bit CPU That Ran Factories

    24 Comments
  • Hackaday Europe 2026: Open Source Hardware Goes Underground, Literally

    7 Comments
  • Bladerunners And The Mother Of Invention

    31 Comments
More from this category

Our Columns

  • Tech In Plain Sight: Vacuum Blood Collection

    8 Comments
  • Hackaday Links: August 23, 2026

    1 Comment
  • You Gotta Want It

    20 Comments
  • Hackaday Podcast Episode 383: QR Codes, Caving Gear, And The Old School Way To Learn Electronics

    6 Comments
  • This Week In Security: Apple Warns Users, Stripe Merchants Leak Keys, Copilot Helps Hack Itself, And Comcast Senses Movement

    18 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

  • An Early History Of Space Stations: Where’s My Wheel?

    6 Comments
  • An Early History Of Space Stations: The Brick Moon Made Real

    20 Comments
  • Hackaday Europe 2026: The 1-Bit CPU That Ran Factories

    24 Comments
  • Hackaday Europe 2026: Open Source Hardware Goes Underground, Literally

    7 Comments
  • Bladerunners And The Mother Of Invention

    31 Comments
More from this category

Categories

Our Columns

  • Tech In Plain Sight: Vacuum Blood Collection

    8 Comments
  • Hackaday Links: August 23, 2026

    1 Comment
  • You Gotta Want It

    20 Comments
  • Hackaday Podcast Episode 383: QR Codes, Caving Gear, And The Old School Way To Learn Electronics

    6 Comments
  • This Week In Security: Apple Warns Users, Stripe Merchants Leak Keys, Copilot Helps Hack Itself, And Comcast Senses Movement

    18 Comments
More from this category

Recent comments

  • a_do_z on Tech In Plain Sight: Vacuum Blood Collection
  • Ray on Combining Photogrammetry Utilities Into A Simple GUI Tool
  • GarberPark on You Gotta Want It
  • Joshua on Bluetooth Shock Collar Keeps Wearer On Task
  • 1d4r3k on An Atari Desktop On A Sega
  • alialiali on Tech In Plain Sight: Vacuum Blood Collection
  • Mark Topham on The Casio F-91W As A Contactless Payment Device.
  • noname on The Casio F-91W As A Contactless Payment Device.
  • noname on Bluetooth Shock Collar Keeps Wearer On Task
  • noname on Bluetooth Shock Collar Keeps Wearer On Task
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...