Equipment Spotlight | JAN 2020 Scales

by MARY M. THORNTON

Truck scales are integral in the process of measuring organic waste material, as they provide accurate and dependable vehicle weighing and a record of related data. At a high traffic organic processing facility, costs can quickly mount due to scale failures and downtime, issues associated with organic waste pollution and load cell and wiring failures. The ability to diagnose and correct such issues is vital.

B-Tek Scales, an industrial weighing solutions provider, offers all types of scales from bench and counting scales to off road dump truck scales and all service parts relative to any commercial grade scale. “We specialize in custom scale projects involving unique applications. With in-house engineering and programming teams, we can design and code the perfect scale and software solution to fit any need. We’ve serviced scales for 90 years and have manufactured them for 25 years. Our extensive expertise led us to develop our flagship truck scale – the Centurion. It’s manufactured with more steel than any standard truck scale on the market and empowered with the smartest digital technology – TruDigital™. These scales utilize Nexia™ live monitoring software which sends scale service providers automated notifications regarding potential and current errors, including remote diagnostics. This ensures service technicians can arrive as soon as possible with the right parts to perform service on the first visit,” Blake Calloway, marketing manager, explained.

He continued, “As technology advances and we increase efficiency through automation, The Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 are impacting the weighing industry as well. Data is crucial to managing an effective business. Until recently, whether via printed weighment tickets or jotting down figures in a spreadsheet, data was captured manually and usually located offline. B-Tek has developed a way to harness this information through online connectivity – providing customers with data required to achieve ultimate efficiency. Also, now in beta testing, B-Tek will soon offer software that functions as a full business management platform for service providers. The product integrates an online portal with technician application, which assists in driving efficiencies at the servicer level. Incorporating everything from CRM to contract management, it will completely revolutionize the scale service industry. Our highly trained staff of sales professionals, distributors and manufacturing professionals is here to assist you with all your weighing needs.”

For 70 years, Cardinal Scale has offered truck scale solutions and a wide variety of different vehicle weighing technologies and applications. The company’s latest truck scale brand features the benefits of learning and improving vehicle weighing technology to provide the highest quality (and smartest) truck scale on the market. The Armor’s 50 ton CLC-rated weighbridge, SmartCell® digital load cells, and Cloud-based iSite remote monitoring systems provide safeguards against common problems that truck scale owners face. Jonathan Sabo, vice president of marketing and customer support stated, “Cardinal Scale’s Armor® truck scales are used in many heavy capacity industries and provide many advantages beneficial to organics weighing. Armor’s high capacity decks and high CLC rating offer the most protection against repetitive, heavy duty weighing rigors. Digital load cells and remote iSite monitoring give users data and diagnosis tools for when issues arise, in real time. The simplified load cell wiring and easy load cell installation eliminate most of the time associated with set up and load cell replacement, which means the weighing operation can have a truck scale up and running fast and keep it running over the years dependably. The Armor digital truck scale has offered these technological advances for the last few years to keep organics facilities that process hundreds of trucks per day from losing valuable time and resources.”

With high repeated use, truck scale weighbridges may fail due to off set or shock loading damage. The corrosive nature of organic waste collected around the base of truck scales can damage load cells. “Our Armor structural integrity is superior to other brands because the I-beams run from headplate to headplate without cutouts. This design eliminates the possibility for stress concentrations in the corners. The weighbridge connecting support block is welded to one-inch-thick endplates, in direct line with the I-beams and load cell support blocks so this decreases torsion and stress points,” said Sabo.

Every facet of the Armor digital truck scale weighbridge and related electronics are specifically built for long lasting endurance, minimal upkeep, and IoT monitoring convenience. The scales feature 135 ton capacity, 50 on CLC, no moving parts below the scale deck, including the load cells, and more structural steel than similar products, SmartCell stainless steel waterproof digital load cells, baked-on tan powder coat paint and IoT-enabled iSite remote monitoring software.

Digital truck scales are gaining in market share. “Digital load cells allow for remote monitoring, elimination of junction boxes, simplification of load cell wiring, and wireless transmission of cell data to truck scale indicators. The ability to continuously monitor, receive alerts, and diagnose load cell issues eliminates much of the guesswork associated with electronic truck scales. Digital load cells are much easier to replace, more robust against corruption from moisture and filth, and much easier to connect when replaced. These benefits over electronic truck scales allow truck scale owners to save time in replacing, maintaining and correcting load cells, which equates to a lower cost of ownership,” Sabo  concluded.

“The Talon aboveground steel deck truck scale offers the longest-lasting construction of any steel deck truck scale in the industry. Incredibly strong modules, constructed with structural steel, are built to federal bridge standards. Cabling is protected with ArmourGuard stainless steel sheathing. Easily installed and maintained, our scales feature design achievements that make them stand out over the competition,” Robert Monroe, heavy capacity product manager, stated.

Scale longevity is reinforced by an open bottom design that eliminates internal corrosion failures and allows for air circulation and easy module inspection. “Contrast that with competitors’ sealed rib panels, which can form fatigue cracks in the welds, allowing condensation and rust on the unpainted inside of the supports. Placing the load cells in easily accessible and serviceable areas beneath the scale instead of inside the deck eliminates the need for cover plates. The Talon design ensures a more structurally sound scale deck that resists metal fatigue, deflection and internal deck cracks,” Monroe said.

Featuring massive 10 and 12” structural support beams, Fairbanks’ Talon steel deck scales boast the lowest deflection in the industry, while standing up to the rigors of fast weighing cycles. There are several capacity and deck plate thickness options, including the HV with 1/4” deck plate for normal duty cycles and the 3/8” deck plate HVX for “extreme” duty cycles. Platform lengths range from 10 to 120’ standard, with custom lengths available. Standard platform widths come in 10, 11 or 12’.

Intalogix® Technology isolates and guards scale against power surges and dangerous electrical strikes. Sectional controllers optically isolate load cells, and encapsulated circuit boards protect against moisture damage. Rocker column load cells feature true hermetic seals designed to prevent moisture intrusion and retard corrosion in the most caustic environments.

Published in the January 2020 Edition