Weight is an important parameter in the modern manufacturing process. It is one of those aspects that a product manufacturer must specify. Take for instance, the motor vehicles, mobile phones, computer hard drives, household products, etc. This makes the weight measurement equipment a vital tool in any manufacturing setup. It is for this reason that all manufacturers focus on producing equipment that can determine the exact weight of a component. In more sophisticated systems, especially in the PLC systems; the weighing machines are used to control other operations.
A number of industrial weighing scales have been designed for different applications. That is, even thou weighing machines are used for the following industries: retail, pharmaceutical, food, transportation, petrochemical and agriculture; these machines vary in designs. They have different types of weight transducers such as the compression load cells and tension load cells. This basically depends on how the transducer is subjected to the force.
At times, these systems can be referred to as the weight assembly. This refers to the load cells, which have been integrated with the desired software to produce a required reading that can be in digital format. The sensor detects the presence of weight. This can be converted to any electrical parameter such as resistance. This resistance which varies depending on the magnitude of weight produces a voltage that can be interpreted in digital format. Most industries have been opting for the digital weighing systems.
Types of industrial weighing scales
There are very many aspects which are considered in the classification process. Some of the most common classifications include:
At times, these systems can be referred to as the weight assembly. This refers to the load cells, which have been integrated with the desired software to produce a required reading that can be in digital format. The sensor detects the presence of weight. This can be converted to any electrical parameter such as resistance. This resistance which varies depending on the magnitude of weight produces a voltage that can be interpreted in digital format. Most industries have been opting for the digital weighing systems.
Types of industrial weighing scales
There are very many aspects which are considered in the classification process. Some of the most common classifications include:
The digital and analogue scales - this is mainly based the data which the machine displays to the end user. When it is a continuous data, then the machine is classified as an analogue machine. Those that display, discrete output are classified as digital weighing machines, such as crane scales.
The assemblies - these machines have load cells, which have been integrated with special software. These machines can be installed on virtually all vessels and containers. They should be calibrated accordingly depending on the desired scale. They are accurate and precise. The load cells convert weight into a desirable electrical output.
The bench scales - they are used on a counter or a bench. They can be classified as detachable or all in one weighing scale. They are mainly used in portion control, parcel weighing or parts control.
The intrinsically safe scales - these industrial weighing scales are designed specifically for hazardous environments. They are popular in chemical manufacturing industries or corrosive environments.
Mechanical scales - some of the most common types include the spring, beam or platform scales. They are mainly used for general industrial applications.
Ideally, there are very many types of weighing machines which are used in a number of industries. This equipment can be classified based on the type of industry where the machine is used. Some of the most common examples include: food scales, rail scales, fabric scales, pharmaceutical scales, postal scales. There are those which have been designed for specific applications such as the precision scales. Therefore, it is important to define the specific purpose/function a weighing scale should perform before buying the industrial weighing scale.
Weighing machine calibration
The calibration process is intended to ensure that the weighing scales measure all weights based on the international standards. This should be a continuous process. It is important to hire accredited person or company to go about this process since it is crucial, especially when it comes to quality and control manufacturing processes.
The assemblies - these machines have load cells, which have been integrated with special software. These machines can be installed on virtually all vessels and containers. They should be calibrated accordingly depending on the desired scale. They are accurate and precise. The load cells convert weight into a desirable electrical output.
The bench scales - they are used on a counter or a bench. They can be classified as detachable or all in one weighing scale. They are mainly used in portion control, parcel weighing or parts control.
The intrinsically safe scales - these industrial weighing scales are designed specifically for hazardous environments. They are popular in chemical manufacturing industries or corrosive environments.
Mechanical scales - some of the most common types include the spring, beam or platform scales. They are mainly used for general industrial applications.
Ideally, there are very many types of weighing machines which are used in a number of industries. This equipment can be classified based on the type of industry where the machine is used. Some of the most common examples include: food scales, rail scales, fabric scales, pharmaceutical scales, postal scales. There are those which have been designed for specific applications such as the precision scales. Therefore, it is important to define the specific purpose/function a weighing scale should perform before buying the industrial weighing scale.
Weighing machine calibration
The calibration process is intended to ensure that the weighing scales measure all weights based on the international standards. This should be a continuous process. It is important to hire accredited person or company to go about this process since it is crucial, especially when it comes to quality and control manufacturing processes.
The weighing scales are bound to lose their accuracy after a given period of time due to a number of reasons. For instance, when the mechanical components are worn out, they are bound to give incorrect readings. This may cause the pointer to drift.
The environmental conditions may affect the performance of a weighing scale. For instance, a weighing machine that has been constructed from the same material may not give the same reading when they are used in very hot or cold environments.
The complexity of the calibration process will be determined by the type of weighing scale. For instance, the process involved when calibrating the automatic scales will be different from that which is used when calibrating the non-automatic scales.
Normally, companies with the industrial weighing scales that have not been calibrated can face legal charges. Every company should be able to prove when their instruments were calibrated and the technician who did the work. This ensures that all products that are available in the market meet the required standards.
Apart from calibration, the recommended care and maintenance procedure is also important. This will increase the service lifespan of the weighing scale.
The environmental conditions may affect the performance of a weighing scale. For instance, a weighing machine that has been constructed from the same material may not give the same reading when they are used in very hot or cold environments.
The complexity of the calibration process will be determined by the type of weighing scale. For instance, the process involved when calibrating the automatic scales will be different from that which is used when calibrating the non-automatic scales.
Normally, companies with the industrial weighing scales that have not been calibrated can face legal charges. Every company should be able to prove when their instruments were calibrated and the technician who did the work. This ensures that all products that are available in the market meet the required standards.
Apart from calibration, the recommended care and maintenance procedure is also important. This will increase the service lifespan of the weighing scale.