Check Weighing
Successful check weighing is the suppression of undesirable dynamic effects.
Over the last 45+ years, Thames Side has specifically developed a range of load cells and instrumentation/electronics designed for accurate, high speed weight measurement and detection of over- or under-weight in check weighing applications.
Background Information
A check weigher is an automated system designed to check the weight of packaged commodities, to satisfy internal controls and external trade applications. They are usually found at the end of a production line in many industries, or in the despatch area of eCommerce warehouses.
Check weighers used in legal-for-trade applications require the use of approved components such as load cells and measuring electronics.
There are 2 main types of check weigher;
- Only the package content is checked; this is needed to calculate a price based on the content
- The package content is checked and compared with defined upper and lower tolerances in order to accept or discard the package. These tolerances are mandated, often in accordance with the e-mark legislation. If a package has a weight outside the tolerance, it is removed from the production line.
For both of these types, the check weighing process can be static (manual) or dynamic. In dynamic check weighing, the package will be moving along a conveyor belt or roller system. Therefore, the package’s static weight will be affected by the accelerations and vibrations occurring in the mechanical components of the conveyor.
Typical items that are check weighed for trade purposes:
- Bottles
- Cans
- Pots
- Bags
- Packets
- Cartons
- Big-bags (FIBC)
- Boxes
- Packaged meat and fish products
T16 Load Cell
The advanced fluid damping properties of the T16 load cell will suppress the majority of such vibrations, allowing the static weight of the package to be accurately measured while it's in motion. The advantages of fluid damping within the T16 load cell for high speed applications are described in this Application Note.
T12D Digital Load Cell
For very high speed applications, the T12D digital load cell is available. It is the ideal combination of quality and price when you are developing a new high speed checkweigher, high speed sorting machine, high speed packaging machine or high speed filling machine and you require an extremely fast processing speed combined with the highest levels of precision and repeatability.
The T12D also connects directly to a PLC and its output is in weight units (not in mV/V like analogue / analog load cells) so there is no need for a separate signal amplifier or weight transmitter (e.g. XT1000, XT2000 or XT3000).
It is a very cost-effective digital load cell with 1,000,000 signal counts and a data capture rate of 1600 measurements per second.
Checkweighing Electronics / Instrumentation
The XT1000, XT2000 and XT3000 weight transmitters are perfect for check weighing systems thanks to their high speed data acquisition rate, their advanced dynamic filtering and their dedicated check weighing software included with every model for no extra cost.
No matter what type of check weighing system you are designing, Thames Side can offer cost-optimised, reliable, repeatable load cells with the IP rating and level of precision to suit the application and high speed, dedicated check weighing electronics - with the appropriate trade approvals.
Application Notes about Check Weighing
Further information
Contact Thames Side now to discuss your requirements for load cells and electronics in check weighing applications.
We have the experience and applications knowledge to provide expert guidance on the optimum solution for you.
