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

  • Ultra-Long Range Flights To Ease Australian Air Travel

    1 Comment
  • Know Your Food: Organic Production

    32 Comments
  • UDP Broadcasting And Easily Finding Network Services

    21 Comments
  • How Airspeed Sensors Work

    27 Comments
  • The Teenage Angst Of 3D Printing: Solidoodle, Printrbot, And Bridges

    40 Comments
More from this category

Our Columns

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

    8 Comments
  • Hackaday Links: July 5, 2026

    6 Comments
  • Yesterday’s Technology, Re-engineered Today

    12 Comments
  • Hackaday Podcast Episode 376: Modern Retro Projects, Retro Modern Projects, And The Teen Years For 3D Printing

    2 Comments
  • This Week In Security: Windows 10 Gets Another Year, SmartTV Botnets, Hiding Payloads, And LastPass Customer Leak

    5 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

  • Ultra-Long Range Flights To Ease Australian Air Travel

    1 Comment
  • Know Your Food: Organic Production

    32 Comments
  • UDP Broadcasting And Easily Finding Network Services

    21 Comments
  • How Airspeed Sensors Work

    27 Comments
  • The Teenage Angst Of 3D Printing: Solidoodle, Printrbot, And Bridges

    40 Comments
More from this category

Categories

Our Columns

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

    8 Comments
  • Hackaday Links: July 5, 2026

    6 Comments
  • Yesterday’s Technology, Re-engineered Today

    12 Comments
  • Hackaday Podcast Episode 376: Modern Retro Projects, Retro Modern Projects, And The Teen Years For 3D Printing

    2 Comments
  • This Week In Security: Windows 10 Gets Another Year, SmartTV Botnets, Hiding Payloads, And LastPass Customer Leak

    5 Comments
More from this category

Recent comments

  • Dan on Gluing 8192 MCUs Together To Make A GPU
  • O on Gluing 8192 MCUs Together To Make A GPU
  • Srsly? on Ultra-Long Range Flights To Ease Australian Air Travel
  • RunnerPack on Hackaday Links: July 5, 2026
  • hmmmm... on A New Challenger Approaches The Open Source Vehicle
  • Al Williams on He Comes To Bury Segmented Memory, Not To Praise It
  • spaceminions on Five Solar Air Heating Methods Tested
  • chango on Gluing 8192 MCUs Together To Make A GPU
  • Matt Cramer on A New Challenger Approaches The Open Source Vehicle
  • threeve on The Coolest Hat At The Hacker Camp
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...