Målmassa

Målmassa is the mass that a process aims to achieve for a given product or batch. The term is used in Swedish industry and research to express the target weight used in formulation, filling, dosing, and packaging. Målmassa serves as a planning and quality reference, against which actual measurements are compared.

In production, målmassa is defined for each item or ingredient. In a recipe or formulation, the listed masses constitute the target amounts; in filling operations, a target fill mass is set to ensure product consistency and compliance with labeling. Tolerances specify how far actual mass may deviate from the målmassa, and are chosen based on product requirements and regulatory standards. When the measured mass falls outside the tolerance, corrective actions are taken, such as retopping, reweighing, or adjusting output in real time.

Measuring and controlling målmassa relies on calibrated scales or mass flow meters, sometimes integrated into a closed-loop control system that compares the actual mass to the målmassa and adjusts inputs accordingly. Environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and vibration can affect accuracy, so proper calibration and routine checks are essential.

In practice, målmassa helps ensure product quality, accurate labeling, and efficient production. It is related to, but distinct from, general tolerans and process capability concepts used in quality management.

See also: tolerans, kvalitetskontroll, processstyrning, vågteknik.