How Long do Industrial Weighing Scales Typically Last?

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It’s perfectly reasonable after you’ve made the investment in a scale system to ask the question how long do industrial weighing scales last?  The answer can vary but there are numerous things you can do to prolong the life of your industrial scale.

How Long Do Industrial Scales Last?

The best way to prolong the life of your electronic weighing scale is to take care of it. Seems pretty simple but you’d be surprised how many folks purchase a scale and immediately throw the box away. Now transporting the scale can be a problem. If they need to ship the scale to the factory under warranty repair they have no box to ship the scale. Always keep the box for at least several months.  

To answer your question, a good quality industrial scale should last for many years. However, there are multiple factors involved that can lengthen or shorten this lifespan. I can’t help but remember the old Mettler Toledo 8433 retail scale. We used to sell those scales to local farmers and produce sellers every year. We were always impressed with how well those performed. In fact, I still see a 8433 in use at a strawberry farm near my home.  

However, with pressure to keep prices low, the quality doesn’t seem to be as good these days on many products, not just imported scales. So, if you’re looking to buy a heavy duty industrial floor scale with the idea of it lasting for decades, we suggest you contact our sales department so we can assist you with making a quality purchase. 

floor scale with ramp

Price is certainly one point worth mentioning. If you are looking to purchase your scales mostly due to low prices online, you are probably going to be disappointed in the long term usefulness of your weighing equipment. Often, there are multiple corners being cut in order to build an “industrial scale” that is priced hundreds of dollars less than the reputable brands. Some online buyers figure this out early on but unfortunately many other buyers don’t learn about this until it’s too late.

Getting back on topic of how to take care of your scales… Make sure you keep your scale clean. You’d be surprised how often folks don’t clean around their floor scales or truck scales. Then all of the sudden you have buildup that gets wedged under the scale platform and your weights are now incorrect.  It’s a good idea to check for this periodically.

cheap floor scale

It’s also a good idea to protect the area around your scales. If you have a truck scale, use poles or guardrails to make sure drivers don’t hit the side of your scale or drive off your scale. We actually addressed truck scale lifespan previously as well. If you have floor scales, put some angle iron or bumpers down to protect the platform scale from overzealous forklift drivers who try to make your warehouse into a speedway.

Another idea that often helps warehouses or recycling centers is to protect your homerun cables that are connected between your digital weight indicators and your floor scales. These 20 foot long cables are very important and they are notorious for getting damaged somehow. It could be a cut, getting crushed, someone trips over the cable and rips it (and the digital weight indicator) off the desk, etc…  There are various ways to protect the cable. One way to do that is to use a cable armor which provides a hard shell around the cable.

It’s also a good idea to have your scales checked regularly by your local scale company. For those of you around central North Carolina, that would be Central Carolina Scale (919) 776-7737. These regular scale checks can sometimes bring things like slightly cut homerun cables or scale buildup to your attention. If scale downtime is a big deal for your business, you might want to discuss having spare parts on hand with your scale company, particularly if they don’t stock parts for your particular scale(s).

I hope this how long do industrial scales last entry has helped you. It has kind of rambled into various directions but the intent was to help you prolong the life of your industrial scale that you purchased. Whether it’s a crane scale or a truck scale or a platform scale. Be sure to contact our sales department if you need some product recommendations.  We have over forty years worth of experience selling, calibrating, and repairing digital scales.

 

Can Industrial Scales be Integrated with other Systems?

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A popular question that we receive quite often is can our industrial scales be integrated with other systems?  The answer almost always is Yes. 

One popular example of this which we see all the time is the ability to connect our Mettler Toledo BC60 shipping scale to our computer and see the weight populate directly into our UPS Worldship computer program. By having a system connection like this, we no longer have to take the time to read the scale and type the weight into the software. So there is no question we save a little time with each shipment and we probably save ourselves from a few errors of typing the wrong weight. 

By the way, we don’t have it on our system (yet) but we also have the ability to connect a dimensional measurement device to your shipping scale as well. 

Often the ability to connect a scale with other systems will depend on the communication options that the scale weight indicator has available. For example, most digital scales these days still come standard with RS-232 serial communication. 

nci shipping scales by Avery Weigh-Tronix

So if you need other types of connections like USB or Ethernet then you will need to work with your scale company to determine the best scale controller to utilize for your particular weighing application.

The good news is with proper planning ahead of time, this can usually be easily setup to work with your existing system. We have connected scales to everything from computers to batching systems to a PLC, and more. 

Another scale communication subject to think about is the ability to capture the weight data and save it to a USB drive. We’ve discussed this capability before.

If you’re interested in buying industrial scales and connecting them to your existing systems be sure to contact our sales department by completing the RFQ form on our site today. 

High-Precision Feed Wagon Scale Kit – Effortless Feed Management

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Feed wagon scale kits help farmers measure feed weight accurately. Learn about their key components and benefits for efficient farm management with a feed wagon scale kit.

  • Feed wagon scale kits are crucial for precise feed management, helping farmers maintain livestock health and comply with regulatory standards.

  • Key components of the kit include alloy steel strain gauge load cells, stainless steel digital weight indicators, and junction boxes, all working together to ensure accurate weight measurements.

  • Regular maintenance and calibration are essential for longevity and accuracy, preventing common issues such as inaccurate readings and erratic behavior.

Understanding Feed Wagon Scale Kits

loadcell kit

Feed wagon scale kits are essential tools that help farmers manage feed with high precision. They consist of several critical components, such as load cells, digital weight indicators, weigh bars, and junction boxes, working together to provide accurate weight measurements. Utilizing these kits aids in quality control, allowing farmers to assess the weight and quality of feed for livestock.

Precise feed management with feed wagon scale kits is essential for maintaining livestock health and optimizing feed efficiency. These kits also help farmers comply with regulatory standards by providing accurate measurements necessary for reporting and certification.

Key Components of a Feed Wagon Scale Kit

feedwagon scale kit

A feed wagon scale kit comprises several key components that deliver accurate feed weight measurements. These include load cells, a digital weight indicator, and a junction box with interface cables, all ensuring precise weight measurement and data transmission.

Load Cells

Load cells, the backbone of any feed wagon scale kit, convert force into electrical signals for precise weight measurements. These transducers ensure accurate feed weight in wagons, with strain gauge load cells favored for their accuracy and reliability.

Made from nickel-plated alloy steel, these load cells are durable and feature 200% overload protection, perfect for demanding farming environments. Kits usually include four NTEP load cells with various capacity ratings to suit different farm needs.

Digital Weight Indicator

The digital weight indicator provides real-time, precise weight readings, enabling quick adjustments during feed preparation. With enhanced visibility, especially in bright conditions, stainless steel models like the Cardinal 205 are built to withstand harsh environments and washdown settings.

Digital indicators offer various connectivity options such as multiple RS232 ports and USB interfaces, facilitating data logging and system integration. The NTEP bright LED display in the kit features a wall-mounting stand and RS-232 connectivity, ensuring versatility and user-friendliness.

Junction Box and Interface Cable

The junction box connects multiple load cells to the digital weight indicator, ensuring streamlined communication and efficient operation. For example, the JB4SS TuffSeal junction box combines outputs from two to four load cells and allows additional junction box connections.

Interface cables transmit signals from load cells to the weight indicator, maintaining data integrity. The EL204 signal trim junction box combines load cells used in various applications like hoppers, tanks, or livestock, ensuring accurate data transmission.

Benefits of Using Feed Wagon Scale Kits

cardinal 205

Feed wagon scale kits enhance precision farming by allowing accurate measurement of feed quantities, ensuring optimal resource use. Farmers can mix the right feed profile using a grinder mixer, ensuring livestock receive necessary nutrients, promoting healthier livestock and optimizing growth.

Feed wagon scale kits significantly reduce costs by minimizing feed waste through accurate portioning. They also enhance inventory management by allowing farmers to monitor and track feed levels accurately. Data logging software integration further improves tracking and analysis, leading to increased productivity and cost reductions.

Additionally, feed wagon scale kits foster accountability among farm employees through precise measurements.

Installation and Setup

Proper installation and setup of a feed wagon scale kit ensure optimal performance. This involves steps like positioning the scale, securing it, and connecting necessary wiring. It is usually recommended for experienced scale technicians to do the initial installation, setup and calibration. Regular maintenance and/or troubleshooting can be done by the end user to a certain degree when it comes to feed wagon scales.

Step-by-Step Guide

Start the installation by securely mounting the scale kit on a flat, stable surface. Connect the load cells to the junction box, making sure each connection is tight to prevent signal loss. Then, link the junction box to the digital weight indicator with the interface cable.

Each load cell requires individual wiring to connect to the junction box, with the final step being the connection to the scale indicator. Meticulously following these steps ensures the feed wagon scale kit functions accurately and efficiently. This will vary depending on what device you are connecting the scale components to.

Calibration Tips

Calibrate the scale using known weights to verify accuracy over each load cell during setup. Place known weights on the scale and adjust the indicator to match the actual weight, performing this process at the same ambient temperature for the most accurate results.

Consistently checking connections and calibrating the scale helps maintain its accuracy and extend its service life. Using certified weights ensures accurate scale calibration.

Relying on scale professionals for scale calibration is advisable due to their expertise and possessing proper testing equipment such as certified test weights.

Comparing Different Models

LP7510 weight indicator

Feed wagon scale kits come in various models with different features and capacities. Some systems can support very large amounts. Central Carolina Scale offers a ‘Build Your Own Scale’ option for customization according to specific needs.

Price points for feed wagon scale kits vary based on capacity and technological features. If you’re looking for an economical choice, see the Tufner brand scale kits. The Rice Lake Weighing Systems weigh modules are available in over 20 mount styles with waterproof modules for various applications, including tank, hopper, and vessel weighing. The MTS Electronic Conversion Kit upgrades existing scale pits and weighbridges to fully electronic vehicle scales, enhancing performance at a lower cost.

Indicators in feed wagon scale kits can be mounted on various surfaces for convenient access and visibility. The RL9000TWM Series weigh module is versatile, suitable for applications like tank, hopper, and vessel weighing. Customizable options ensure farmers find the perfect scale kit for their needs.

Scale Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Regular scale maintenance ensures the longevity and accuracy of the feed wagon scale kit. Routine tasks include checking load cells, inspecting the junction box and cables for moisture or cuts and loose connections, and ensuring the digital weight indicator functions correctly. Common issues include inaccurate readings, display errors on the digital weight indicator, and failure of electronic components.

Routine Maintenance

Regular visual inspections help identify potential issues before they become serious problems. Tighten connections and set screws in the junction box to maintain accurate functionality. Ensure oil levels are adequate and check for leaks as part of routine maintenance on feed wagon scales.

Calibration and repair services are conducted regularly throughout the year based on pre-established agreements. Service providers assist in organizing and maintaining calibration schedules for regular scale checkups.

Businesses can manage scale maintenance costs effectively by budgeting a fixed annual fee covering scheduled calibrations and travel expenses.

Common Issues and Solutions

Prevalent issues with feed wagon scales include failures linked to junction boxes, often due to moisture exposure. Fluctuating readings may result from faulty load cells or moisture in the junction box. Routine checks should inspect for moisture in junction boxes to prevent inaccurate readings. Sometimes all it takes to fix a jumpy feedwagon scale is opening the junction box and carefully drying it out with a hairdryer.

Erratic scale behavior may sometimes be resolved by checking battery health. Loose connections can also cause issues; securing them often fixes erratic behavior. Error codes can guide troubleshooting scale malfunctions by referencing the manufacturer’s manual or online resources.

Enhancing Feed Management with Data Logging

Cardinal-2XX-USB-A

Feed wagon scale kits enable data-driven decision-making by collecting valuable scale data on feed usage for operational improvements. Data loggers continuously monitor and record data, reducing human error and ensuring accurate feed management insights. Long-term monitoring of feeding trends enhances decision-making, making the feeder an essential tool in the process.

Data logging systems analyze collected data to identify feeding patterns, trends, and anomalies, helping manage supplies more effectively. The weight indicator’s stainless steel construction and multiple connectivity options, including RS232 ports and USB interfaces, facilitate data logging and system integration.

Cardinal Scale Manufacturing offers an option board that allows users to connect a USB flash drive to specific indicators, enabling easy weight data collection. Along with clear LED displays and user-friendly functions for weight conversion, filtering, and unit selection, this feature enhances the usability of digital indicators for monitoring feed weights.

Summary

Feed wagon scale kits are indispensable tools for modern livestock farming, offering precise feed management, cost savings, and improved livestock health. By understanding their key components, benefits, and proper installation and maintenance practices, farmers can optimize their feed management operations.

Embracing technology like data logging further enhances feed management, making it more efficient and data-driven. Implementing these kits on your farm can revolutionize your approach to feeding, ensuring better resource use and healthier livestock.

Questions?

What are the main components of a feed wagon scale kit?

The main components of a feed wagon scale kit are strain gauge load cells, a digital weight indicator, and a junction box with homerun cable. Having these parts installed correctly ensures your scale functions accurately and efficiently.

How do load cells work in feed wagon scale kits?

Load cells work by converting the force of the weight into electrical signals, allowing for precise weight measurements that help in managing feed accurately. It’s all about ensuring you get the right amount every time!

What are the benefits of using feed wagon scale kits?

Using feed wagon scale kits allows for precise feed management, which leads to cost savings and improved livestock health. Plus, they enhance your ability to track and analyze data effectively.

How should I maintain my feed wagon scale kit?

To keep your feed wagon scale kit in top shape, do regular visual inspections, tighten any loose connections, and setup routine calibrations with your scale provider. Staying on top of these tasks will ensure it lasts longer and remains accurate!

How does data logging improve feed management?

Data logging significantly improves feed management by reducing human error and offering accurate insights, which helps you make better decisions based on long-term feeding trends. So, you’ll be able to optimize your feeding strategies effectively!

What are the Typical Weight Capacities for Industrial Scales?

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If you’re new to searching for industrial scale capacities basically you have several places you can search or contact. You can search around online for weighing scales. You can search through a material handling catalog or website. You can search for electronic scales on the mega website that sells everything or the auction website.  Or, you can simply contact your favorite industrial scale company (Central Carolina Scale) and just tell us what scale capacity you are looking for and we can probably provide you with multiple choices of scales to choose from. 

The beauty of working with an actual scale company is a couple of things. First, you save time. You’re not surfing around various scale websites or fumbling through catalogs trying to find affordable industrial scales to purchase. Secondly, you’re more than likely going to get, not just the correct item, but likely a product recommendation based on years of actual sales of that item, since selling and servicing scales is essentially all that a scale company does.  

Weight Capacity for Industrial Scales

When looking at weight capacities it’s important to remember that the readability or graduation size goes along with the capacity. With most industrial scales, they are capable of displaying 5000 or 10,000 divisions. What does 5000 x 1 even mean? 

A 10,000 lb capacity scale typically has graduation size of 2 lb.  10,000/2 = 5000.  Many industrial scales can display 10,000 divisions. So that would be 10,000/1 = 10,000. 

You may be wondering why can’t I display 20,000 divisions or more?  Usually it has to do with the load cells. Most industrial scales can only display 5000 divisions to be legal for trade. Most industrial scales are capable of displaying 10,000 divisions comfortably, in a not legal for trade setting.

weight indicator

However, with most industrial scales when you push the graduations up to 20,000 or 30,000 or more, you tend to see a lot of instability and the weight display never settling down to display one weight amount. We do have some high resolution industrial drum scales that are specially designed to display 20,000 or 30,000 divisions. Contact us for more details.

So, if you need an industrial floor scale with a 20,000 pound capacity, you can find that scale. Just remember the graduation size for that type of scale will typically be larger than for something like a 5000 pound capacity floor scale. Below are some typical industrial scale capacity choices available.

50 x 0.01 LB
100 x 0.02 LB
250 x 0.05 LB
500 x 0.1 LB
1000 x 0.2 LB
2500 x 0.5 LB
5000 x 1 LB
10,000 x 2 LB
20,000 x 5 LB

So if you need a certain capacity industrial crane scale or platform scale be sure to contact our sales department and we can assist you with a good choice for your weighing needs. That’s another of the advantages of working with an actual scale company. Our product knowledge is legit. Most of the material handling or mega-website CSR’s only know a part number and have never actually seen the product you’re inquiring about. You can reach us at (919) 776-7737 or you can complete the RFQ form on our website.

Does Every Floor Scale Have the Parts Counting Feature?

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This entry addresses a question that we recently received from a customer.  Does every floor scale have a parts counting feature?  Alternatively the question could be does every digital weight indicator offer a parts counting feature? The answer to either of the questions is No. The counting feature is not always available with every floor scale or weight indicator. The customer thought the answer was… Yes.  So that is one reason that I’m discussing it today.

Industrial counting scale for fasteners

What Digital Weight Indicators or Controllers offer Parts Counting Feature?

The real question that needs to be asked about the parts counting feature actually should be focused towards the digital scale controller and not the floor scale. A floor scale has to be connected to some type of weight display in order to be utilized. So the digital weight indicator is really the important component to think about.

There really is no short cut or quick guide for finding parts counting weight displays that I know of. Of course in most counting scenarios, I usually recommend a traditional parts counting scale be utilized for parts counting. That way the initial sample size can be obtained very accurately using the local counting scale and then you can count larger quantities using the (remote) floor scale. We have lots of electronic parts counters to choose from like the Avery-Weigh Tronix ZK830 or Pennsylvania 7800 just to name a few.

But with certain larger items, you can count using just a floor scale connected to a digital weight indicator. The easiest way to source one of these systems is to research online for weight indicators that have parts counting functionality and/or discuss this with your salesperson during the scale quote process. This is important since not all weight indicators have the counting capability.

counting weight indicator

At the time of this entry below are some digital weight indicators that have the parts counting capability.

Avery Weigh-Tronix ZM303
Pennsylvania 7600+
Pennsylvania 7500+
Weighsouth WS10
Rice Lake Counterpart
Cardinal 210 Storm
BTek T104
Worldweigh BWS

As mentioned earlier, I recommend using a counting scale, such as the Cardinal C65, connected to a floor scale but with larger items you can get by without having to use an actual counter-top counting scale. I hope this entry has helped you when it comes to sourcing a floor scale system that has parts counting capability. Be sure to mention that you’re looking for this type of functionality when you request a quote.

What Materials are Industrial Scales Made From?

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If you’re new to searching for industrial scales basically you have several choices.  You can search around online. You can search through a material handling catalog or website. You can search on the mega website that sells everything or the auction website.  Or, you can simply contact your favorite industrial scale shop (Central Carolina Scale) and just tell us what you are looking for and we can probably get it for you.

The beauty of working with an actual scale company is a couple of things. First, you save time. You’re not wondering around websites or fumbling through catalogs trying to find affordable and accurate industrial scales. Secondly, you’re more than likely going to get, not just the correct item, but likely a PROVEN product recommendation, since selling and servicing scales is essentially all that a scale company does.  

What Materials are Industrial Scales Made Out of?

Anyway, getting to the actual point of today’s entry, what materials are industrial scales made out of?  Well, industrial scales are usually made out of a combination of plastic, carbon steel, and stainless steel.  

stainless steel portion weigher

This may seem confusing so let’s drill down a little bit further into this subject. Many entry level scales include a plastic or ABS enclosure weight indicator, such as the Transcell TI-500E for example. The scale platform the TI500 is connected to may be painted steel or stainless steel.  If you’re looking for a “waterproof” or as we like to call it washdown safe industrial scale system, those are normally constructed out of stainless steel. The Pennsylvania SS7800MAX Washdown Bench Scale is a good example.

So as you can see, industrial scales are often made of a variety of materials. The material you choose will likely be effected by what environment you will be using the scale and what price point you want to spend on purchasing the weighing scale system. If you’re looking to control costs, an ABS plastic scale system can be the most cost effective. On the opposite end of the line would be washdown stainless steel weighing scales. 

Before you spend hours looking all over for weighing scales, we recommend contacting our sales staff. Decades of experience usually equals a time savings for you and a great product recommendation. If you need assistance choosing an industrial scale, be sure to contact us (919) 776-7737 or you can complete our RFQ form on our website. 

How to Choose a Bench Scale

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Bench scales are everywhere and are used in various industries, such as shipping and receiving, manufacturing, and food processing. Bench scales generally have a compact footprint, making them ideal for processes with limited space. However there are various sized bench scales available from small portion control type scales up to large 24″x24″ scale platforms.

Selecting a bench scale seems pretty simple but there are actually a lot of things you need to consider before you make the purchase. Important things to consider include: platter type, capacity and size of the scale, accessories, industry requirements and manufacturer support.

Scale Material, Construction, & Enclosure
It is essential to ensure the bench scale’s construction is suitable for the environment. You should consider a stainless steel bench scale for applications involving corrosive materials or heavy washdowns. Stainless steel operates well in corrosive environments because it does not rust or corrode easily. For less demanding applications, a mild steel bench scale could be a comparable alternative to a stainless steel one.

cw-90x check weigh scale for commercial fishing

Bench Scale Platter Top
Another thing to consider when choosing a bench scale is the scale’s top: flat top, ball top or roller top. A flat-top bench scale is used in many diverse industries for general purposes. A ball-top bench scale has multiple moving cylinders built into the top that allows a package, for example, to be rolled on or off the scale in any direction. The roller-top bench scale has multiple rollers built into the top, allowing the item being weighed to move forward or backward along a production line.

Capacity and Size
Before choosing a bench scale, evaluate the items you will be weighing. Observe the dimensions and weight of the smallest and largest items to determine if the capacity and size of a single bench scale would be suitable. If not, you will need an additional scale to obtain accurate weighments. While choosing a bench scale, you should ensure the scale’s capacity is higher than the heaviest object that will be weighed.

Power Requirements
Most scales operate on standard 110VAC power.  However, do you plan on moving your bench scale to different locations?  Will all those locations have power nearby?  You may need a bench scale with rechargeable battery. 

Industry Requirements
When considering bench scale options, it is important to understand the installation guidelines required for approval. For example, selling goods based on weight involves a Legal for Trade installation, which requires the scale’s measurements first to be certified. This certification is performed by state certified scale technicians. Scales used in hazardous environments have additional certifications. The desired bench scale must meet the safety requirements for potentially explosive environments.

weight indicator

Bench Scale Accessories & Features
You should also consider the types of accessories you may need. Will your scale require any type of mobility or extra indicator columns? Depending on your manufacturer, they may be able to provide you with a portable bench scale or a mobile scale cart to securely hold your bench scale in place while providing extra mobility. A bench scale indicator column holds the associated indicator (if one is needed) above your bench scale for easy weight readings. You also want to consider things like LCD or LED displays and check weighing capability as well.

Manufacturer Support
Lastly, you should find a scale manufacturer and local scale dealership to support you during the selection process, installation, and regular calibration and scale maintenance. Rice Lake Weighing Systems works with an extensive network of authorized dealers like Central Carolina Scale who are ready to help you during the selection process. Rice Lake also offers in-house technical scale specialists who can assist with product selection and create custom bench scale solutions. Call our sales team (919) 776-7737 to get started designing your perfect bench scale system.

High Speed Packaging Equipment Designed to Weigh Products like Fish filets, Lobster Tails, Fresh Produce like Salads & Lettuce, Herbs, Jerky, and more!

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Ideal Combination Scale for Fixed Weight Packages

The TSD-N3 is a multihead weigher that offers simplified operation, faster weighing speeds, greatly improved connectivity to downstream packaging equipment, low maintenance, and easy cleaning, which will save your facility even more money on top of the money saved by reducing manual labor needed.

Yamato’s TSD-N3 semi-automatic multihead weighing machine, part of our line of semi automatic combination scales, is designed to weigh products like fish filets, lobster tails, fresh produce, herbs, jerky, and more.

 

Yamato TSD-N3 Semi-Automatic Multihead Weighing Machine

Whether you’re just starting out, currently packaging by hand, have products requiring special handling, or are interested in reducing manual labor by introducing this semi-automatic weighing solution, Contact us to speak with one of our scale experts today.

Semi-Automatic Multihead Weighing & Filling Machine Features

  • Belt-conveyor system utilizes a short drop, minimizing damage to fragile products

  • Able to run sticky items
  • Speeds up to 50 weighments per minute to improve productivity
  • Modular construction
  • Conveyors and components can be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance
  • Space-saving design allows for easy movement and works well in facilities with lower ceiling heights
  • Conveyor belt options to accommodate various products to best suit your production needs
  • 10.4-inch intuitive touchscreen color display
  • Data acquisition for monitoring productivity and operational goals
  • Store up to 100 programs in memory
  • IP65 rated washdown
For Weighing
  • Fragile products
  • Leafy greens
  • Fresh herbs
  • Meat products
  • Seafood
  • Poultry
  • Pet treats
  • Vacuum-packaged goods
  • And more!

Fresh Produce

Yamato offers a variety of weighing options for fresh produce applications including salad and leafy products, baby carrots, tomatoes, and other hard-to-handle fruits and vegetables. We offer gentle product-handling features for delicate products like a minimal-drop conveyor on our semi-automatic weighers.

yamato packaging conveyor scale

Built for food safety, hygienic models are available for washdown environments to comply with high sanitary standards. Yamato combination scales are designed for quick and easy cleaning, minimizing any downtime.

When paired with a scale, the Yamato Automatic Diving Funnel (ADF) is an ideal solution for filling trays with produce.

Yamato can weigh:

  • Leafy greens: Romaine, Bibb, and Iceberg lettuce, spinach, kale
  • Salad mixes
  • Fresh fruits: strawberries, blueberries, apples, various melons
  • Fresh vegetables: baby carrots, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, radishes, potatoes 
  • And more

Meat Products

Yamato can weigh meat including diced, cubed, shredded, large piece, and large bulk products. 

High-speed models are available and combination weighers can be paired with VFFS, HFFS, or multiple-point discharge packaging machines such as tray, cup, bowl, and thermoform machines for various package styles and sizes. Hygienic washdown scales help you maintain your production sanitation standards necessary in the food industry.

When paired with a combination scale, the Yamato Multi-Point Depositor is an ideal solution for filling trays and single-serve snack trays with meat-snack products.

Yamato can weigh:

  • Jerky
  • Shredded meats
  • Diced meats
  • Cubed meats
  • Beef sticks
  • Pepperoni
  • And more

Scales for Weighing Seafood

Do NTEP Approved Medical Scales Actually Exist?

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In many commercial applications weighing scales need to meet NTEP standards for buying and selling based on the scale weight. However, for many medical weighing scenarios there really are no guidelines. So, it might actually be a good idea to buy NTEP approved medical scales. But the question then becomes, are there any NTEP Medical Scales in the marketplace?  Well, it turns out yes there are NTEP approved medical scales available.

DETECTO has received NTEP (National Type Evaluation Program) approval administered by the National Conference on Weights & Measures for most of their major medical scales. How does this help you as the consumer? This verifies from a regulated governing body that Detecto scales are manufactured to the highest accuracy and quality possible for medical scales used to treat patients.

wheelchair scale

DETECTO is currently the only medical scale manufacturer with NTEP verified weighing accuracy. This is the same verification process used by gas pumps and commercial food weighing standards. The unsaid dirty secret of medical scales is that actual accuracy varies wildly among our medical scale competitors and your weight on one scale will differ greatly from another. DETECTO is leading the new standard in nationally-regulated medical scales. Why trust the most important thing in life with anything less: the life of your patients.

The only medical scale manufacturer with US compliant scales held to NTEP weights and measures standards. This NTEP accreditation means DETECTO scales have been subjected to 100,000 weighing cycles and maintained strict accuracy in a variety of testing temperatures. The DETECTO name has always stood for quality and durability more than anyone else. Now we have the credentials to prove it!

 

Is your Medical Scale NTEP approved?

We’ve all used scales that are NTEP certified when buying bananas at the farmers market since it’s critical for the weight to be accurate between the buyer and seller of the bananas. And yet a pediatric scale weighing our baby or a physician scale weighing us before surgery for assigning dosages isn’t held to the same criteria as a bunch of fruit or vegetables. DETECTO is at the forefront of leading this monumental change in patient care and offers a wide selection of NTEP-approved medical scales listed below.

Legal Compliance = Accuracy & Consistency

An NTEP-certified medical scale provides highly accurate and consistent readings, crucial in medical settings where precise weight measurements are necessary for patient care and medication dosing. This accreditation assures you that you are receiving the highest-quality scale available on the market. Look for the NTEP stamp of approval on your next medical scale.

Select from NTEP approved baby scales, physician scales, wheelchair scales, bariatric scales, and chair scales. Contact the sales team (919) 776-7737 to get started.

Using Weighing Scales to Make Life Easier

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Using scales to streamline your process is a great idea. Streamlining your process often removes daunting tasks that eat at labor hours, removes stress, and inconsistencies, and usually adds to overall profits.

Did you know that industrial style electronic weight scales can be used for much more than just weighing pallets or products. They can be used to control batches, monitor the use of materials, fill containers, and even help maintain records of your process.

Process Improvement Weighing Scales Example

You have a machine that uses oil from a 55-gallon barrel as it is running. If the barrel empties before it is noticed, it can cause downtime to the machine. The operator knows the barrel will last between 2 to 3 days and is consistently checking it because they know that if it empties it could be a bad day for production and themselves because they let it run dry.

btek t403s weight display

Process Improvement Weighing Scale Solution

Use a drum scale, set up with a B-Tek T403S weight indicator, programmed in fill/discharge mode, and equipped with an audible stack light. This will alert the operator when the barrel is close to empty. Two scales could be set up to switch from the empty barrel to the full barrel alerting the operator while giving more time to change the barrel out.

This removes a daunting task from the operator, gives them confidence and security, frees up their time to do other things, and adds consistency to continuous machine operation. Using the scale to help maintain a record of its use could help identify low/high consumption possibly pinpointing process issues.

The possibilities of streamlining using industrial scales are endless and could be a possible benefit in many situations. The next time your scale service technician stops by, ask them if they see anything that may help streamline your process using a scale. You may be surprised at what they can come up with.