The main components of belt scales are weigh frames that have load cells and idlers or rollers to support the conveyor belt. Conveyor belt speed is measured with an encoder or tracking wheel mounted on the return belt. Weight and speed are combined in the weight processor, or integrator, to determine the product flow in kilograms or tons per hour.
While weigh frames and sensors have not changed much since the 90’s, weight processors have advanced with more communication options. Weight indicators and scale controllers can communicate with PLCs through Profibus, Profinet, Ethernet and similar systems, while USB, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® allow weight information to be sent to peripheral equipment such as printers and computers.
Material Handling with Belt Scales at Recycling Facilities
The recycling industry is unique and requires specialized equipment. Due to the nature of material in recycling, conveyor belts are built to be enclosed to keep spindle and dust contained to the belt. In this case, it’s necessary to use a belt weigh frame that can be positioned outside of the belt to simplify scale maintenance. Belt scales used in recycling measure and register the main and waste flows separately.
Maintenance Needs for Belt Scales
When belt scales are being used in Legal for Trade applications, or anytime materials are sold based on weight, it is critical to ensure the scale is properly calibrated. The belt scale and conveyor must have Legal for Trade approval with routine inspections and calibrations to ensure accuracy.
Choosing the correct weigh frame for your conveyor is the first step to ensuring accuracy with your belt scale. You may want to consult with a belt scale expert to find the option that meets your requirements for precision. Additionally, the conveyor must be maintained and an automatic tension device, such as a ratchet, must be present with the conveyor belt.
Belt scales are calibrated and inspected for accuracy when the system is installed. Typically, this is done by weighing a truck loaded with material on a truck scale and comparing that load with the total from the belt scale.
Expert Scale Support
Central Carolina Scale can offer advice on choosing the right belt scale for your needs as well as offer on-site support during installation and maintenance. Learn more by visiting our RFQ form on our website.
B2B ecommerce sales surged past the $1 trillion mark for the first time ever a couple of years ago and online shopping continues to grow at a very fast pace. Unfortunately, or fortunately (depending on your perspective) weighing scales of every size and application are also selling online. We’ve seen everything from vehicle scales to laboratory balances become more widely available on the internet during the past decade.
But is that ultimately a good thing for customers?
When it comes to buying a scale online, the decision-making process often centers 90% + on price…. not necessarily what features or functions of the scale itself.
When buying a scale, you also need to consider things like:
Is it NTEP Approved, legal for trade? Does the scale arrive calibrated? Will the scale hold up in the environment where it’s used? How is the scale constructed? What is the resolution of the scale? Who will service the scale?
What we’re saying is, the price of a scale is just one of many factors to consider. That’s where you often benefit from working with an experienced scale company who can recommend a proven product with a long track record of success.
Sometimes customers attempt to save time and perhaps some money and find their own scales online. That often sounds like a good idea. However, this is where mistakes can occur since price alone becomes the number one priority.
SACRIFICING ACCURACY COSTS YOU MONEY
In some scenarios, buying the lowest priced scale could cost you much more in the long run. A cheaper scale rarely has the durability and longevity of a quality-made scale. Additionally, a cheaper scale often sacrifices resolution or repeatability which can lead to inconsistencies in accuracy, as the scale will not deliver consistent results. In some applications, this could result in millions of dollars of losses per year.
For example, the B-TEK High Resolution Counting Scale (HRCS) has a one billion internal count resolution thanks to the incredible accuracy of the Quartzell transducer. Additionally, the HRB Digital Bench Scale, which is mostly used in straight-weigh applications, also offers a one billion internal count resolution.
How much could such precision save your company over the course of a fiscal year?
DOES YOUR NEW SCALE COME WITH THE SUPPORT YOU NEED?
When purchasing a scale, there’s always more to consider than the hardware itself. Who will install the scale? Who will calibrate it? What is the process for registering the scale as legal for trade? How will you obtain future service, including both regular maintenance and unforeseen scale repair?
When you’re buying a new scale for your business, you’re also buying support and expertise.
We hear stories all the time regarding online scale purchases. Over the years, we have seen few customers who purchased a scale, without consulting a salesperson, be happy with that decision years later. Many times, these customers quickly return to the buying market because they need to replace a scale that didn’t quite fit the application or function as intended. That’s where working with an experienced scale company and/or experienced sales person is a valuable benefit for most customers.
HOW CAN CCS HELP YOU?
The bottom line in this article is, don’t choose a scale based on price alone! These days with all the overseas products available everywhere, you can likely find a scale for just about any price you need. However, the quality, durability, and accuracy of that product will be highly debatable!
Contact us with your questions and a rough idea of what you’re looking to weigh. If you have a budget, let us know that as well. We’ve been providing customers with scales for over forty years! Odds are that we can recommend a proven scale for your particular application.
Let us help you find the right solution that will serve your company for many years to come. Purchasing a scale with the proper accuracy, support, and compliance is where you will truly save money. For more information, contact us online or by calling (919) 776-7737.
Our local scale calibration and repair customers throughout the central sections of North Carolina are very important to us. We typically stock 90%+ of the standard replacement scale parts that they may need.
However, if you have certain types of scales that aren’t as common or if you have a large number of scales or load cells at your facility… then it can be a smart strategy to keep some spare parts on hand to minimize any downtime. Call us today (919) 776-7737 to determine what replacement scale parts and hardware you need.
If your business relies heavily on your scale(s), then it’s imperative to stock some spare parts to minimize unplanned downtime. Downtime can be a real problem. Especially for certain businesses and at certain times.
Our suggestion is to contact our scale repair & service department and discuss your scales and down time and identify any spare parts that are really important or any spare parts that are difficult to obtain.
Unfortunately, customers often don’t think about downtime and potential failures until it’s too late. This year, we’ve seen some scales that were down for weeks while they wait for replacement parts to arrive from the manufacturer. This is why we encourage you to contact us to determine what items you need to stock.
Supply Chain Issues & Longer Lead Times!
You’ve likely experienced this in your business and we certainly have as well. Between rising prices and labor shortages and continued medical issues, it’s greatly affected the manufacturing and logistics industries. We have seen parts that used to be a 2 day lead time, turn into a 2 month lead time. This is why it’s important to contact us today and discuss what item(s) you need to stock so you can experience the least amount of down time as possible.
These are real concerns that in the past we haven’t had to think much about. However, with certain lead times at record levels… it just makes good sense to plan.
How much money could you potentially lose if your scale is shut down for a couple weeks? What about a couple of months? When you think about it in those terms, if can sometimes lessen the burden of spending a few thousand dollars to keep some spare scale parts on your shelf.
Which Spare Replacement Scale Parts should I Keep on my Shelf to Minimize Unplanned Downtime?
The truth is that spare parts can be expensive to keep on your shelf. We see this every year when we analyze our inventory and determine what items sold and what items collected dust.
And, as mentioned earlier, we stock A LOT of replacement scale parts like load cells, weight indicators, main boards, etc… But, the truth is that we can’t possibly stock every single spare part that every single customer of ours might need. That’s why it’s important to discuss this with our service department and determine what item(s) we feel you should stock.
This will cost you some money but we would argue it’s still not as expensive as a few weeks of unplanned downtime with a broken down truck scale. It goes without saying, but this suggestion regarding spare parts also needs to factor in how important a particular scale is to your business.
For example, if you are a metal recycler, one broken floor scale might be easier to manage since you likely have several other floor scales you could use. However, if you have a broken down truck scale and that’s the only truck scale you own, that item would be much harder to do with out. In our opinion, if you want to reduce potential down time… you might want to stock the following items:
Replacement Weight Indicator
Digital Weight Indicators are items that often break or get damaged on job sites. Sometimes the damage is through lightning, while other times it’s from being knocked off a desk and dropped to the floor or perhaps being run over or hit. Other times “nobody knows what happened“….. In any of these scenarios, the weight indicator is a very important component to a scale system. Without a functioning scale controller, your employees can’t see the actual weight on the scale platform.
To take it one step further… some companies use very sophisticated weight controllers that are programmed for various tasks like truck in/out or truck storage, batching, etc… Those scale indicators need to function and if they fail, there needs to be a replacement available ASAP. For applications like this, it can be a good idea to stock a spare indicator with the custom software installed.
Replacement Scale Boards
Boards are one of the most essential components to a scale. These boards connect all of the components required to power the scale. It’s smart to have the main board, display board, analog output board, summing board(s), remote display main board, etc…. This will vary depending on the customer and which scale(s) you have.
Replacement / Spare Load Cells
We have to include load cells on this list since they are so prevalent in most weighing systems. However, in a lot of cases, we do have stock for most standard strain gauge load cells. This is a great example where we recommend contacting us and discussing what we have in stock and what we recommend that you stock. For example, of the past several years there have been multiple new digital truck scales available which take a digital load cell, cables, and digital weight indicator. Similar challenges exist with hydraulic truck scale replacement parts as well.
Bottom line:
if you have a scale or multiple scales that are very important to your business process, then you need to contact us and discuss recommended spare parts and what we stock versus what we suggest that you stock.
A little forward thinking can minimize the unplanned downtime and it could mean the difference between a few hours of downtime or multiple weeks without a scale.
And these spare parts discussions (they can be phone calls or emails) probably need to happen every year since things change. Items become obsolete, new products get purchased, etc…
Adam Equipment is running a limited-time special on the Equinox balance range, rewarding customers with a $75 rebate (via gift card) when you purchase any Equinox semi-micro, analytical or precision balance from an authorized Adam dealer like Central Carolina Scale.
SEMI MICRO & ANALYTICAL BALANCES
Adam Equinox analytical balances provide outstanding precision to laboratory settings that perform highly detailed testing. The Equinox, available from Central Carolina Scale located in Sanford, North Carolina, is perfect for research and quality assurance facilities; science education; and production and manufacturing applications needing exceptionally precise results.
Eight analytical models offer capacities from 120 grams to 510 grams and 0.1 milligram readability. A color touch screen display provides intuitive operation, with icon-driven menus and readily accessible applications and functions. The five-inch screen is generously sized, offering 800 X 480 pixel resolution for excellent visibility. Higher capacity precision balances are also available.
PRECISION BALANCES
Adam Equipment Equinox precision balances provide users with exceptional precision to laboratories that perform highly detailed testing. The Equinox balance, available from Central Carolina Scale, is perfect for research and quality assurance facilities; science education and virtually any other application needing exceptionally precise results.
Twelve precision balances offer capacities from 360 grams to 8200 grams and readabilities of 1 milligram and 0.01 grams. A color touch screen display provides intuitive operation, with icon-driven menus and readily accessible applications and functions. The five-inch screen is generously sized, offering 800 X 480 pixel resolution for excellent visibility.
From September 21, 2021 through December 31, 2021, when you purchase any Equinox semi-micro, analytical or precision balance from an authorized Adam dealer, you will be eligible to receive a gift card for $75. All you need to do is make the purchase and complete the form below and submit a copy of your invoice. (Sorry this offer is expired)
The gift card will be delivered via email. Redemption must be submitted before January 15, 2022.
Fine Print: Offer valid through December 31, 2021 on qualifying purchase. Limit: one free Amazon gift card per customer. Cannot be applied to past purchases or combined with any other offers, quantity pricing, discounts or promo codes. Offer applies to purchases from authorized dealers made through the U.S. office of Adam Equipment Inc. only. Void where prohibited by law. Adam Equipment reserves the right to change or cancel the offer at any time without notice. Other restrictions may apply. Gift card will be delivered within 6-12 weeks following submission of the redemption form.
YOUR TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE FOR INDUSTRIAL FLOOR SCALES
Pallet scales typically take a lot of wear and tear every single day. Some of it is expected and some of it goes overboard. Of course floor scale users are supposed to “place” or “set” pallets on the scale platform. However, in the real world “placing” is usually somewhere between outright dropping and slamming.
Also, in addition the the shock loading many floor scales often take everyday, the scales are often utilized in harsh environments such as outdoors, recycling centers, food processing centers, etc… In fact, floor scales are often subject to high pressure washdowns, corrosive materials, overloading, hazardous areas, and much more.
That’s why it’s important to have your platform scale checked periodically on a consistent schedule. We can help you with that! Ask us about our Service Agreements that we offer.
However, even with the best scale maintenance program, weighing equipment can fail between scale inspections.
So, is there anything you can do to troubleshoot your floor scale?
Actually, there are several steps you can take. Below is a list of floor scale troubleshooting tips to make sure your industrial floor scale is working correctly. Keep in mind, if you try the list below and your pallet scale still isn’t working, you will need to contact our scale repair department by calling (919) 776-7737
HOW DO I TROUBLESHOOT A FLOOR SCALE?
PROBLEM Any floor scale related problem
POTENTIAL CULPRIT Anything
SOLUTION Unplug the power from the scale for a minute and then plug the power back in after a minute or so. It seems too simple, but you’d be surprised how often this works.
PROBLEM Floor scale not reading correctly
POTENTIAL CULPRIT Could be something under the weighbridge, weighbridge shoved against a wall, bent foot, cut cable, etc..
SOLUTION This may take a few minutes of your time but it might save a service call. Look for anything under the scale platform. Make sure the platform is not shoved against a wall or pit frame (learn more about floor scale with ramp vs in-ground scale). Make sure all four feet are in good shape and solidly on the ground. Make sure the homerun cable has no obvious cuts. If that doesn’t work, it’s best to call our service department.
PROBLEM Pallet scale display either shows all “- – – -” or is constantly displaying different numbers
POTENTIAL CULPRIT This could be a cut cable. This could also possibly be a bad load cell.
SOLUTION Examine the cable. If you see a cut, it might be a good idea to replace the cable. If you see nothing wrong with the cable, you might try disconnecting the load cells in the junction box, one by one and see if that calms the system down. If that works, you might have a bad load cell(s). If that does nothing, you might have an indicator issue. At this point, you probably need to contact the scale service department so that our factory trained scale technicians can get to work and have you back weighing again.
FLOOR SCALE TROUBLESHOOTING ADVICE
The good news is that we stock many of the replacement scale parts that are needed for floor scale repairs. We have replacement shear beam load cells in many of the capacities you may need like 2.5k or 5k. We have summing boards that are used to connect all the load cell wires. We have digital weight indicators and we have load cell cables that run from the digital weight display down to the platform scale. Call our service department (919) 776-7737 to get booked on our schedule.
Today’s workplace demands a scale that can be integrated into a corporate network, send data to a ticket printer, or transmit weight information to a computer. We have scale controllers from Doran Scales that meet that demand with a wide variety of data communications options.
Available scale data communications options:
Bluetooth
Ethernet
USB
RS-232
4-20mA
VEHICLE WEIGHT SOFTWARE
When it comes to managing scale weight information, one powerful way to do that is with Cardinal’s powerful WinVRS software. This product keeps traffic moving over your scale by providing fast, accurate collection of data on vehicles, accounts, orders, and materials.
Unique, user-defined fields allow you to easily configure the system to meet your needs. A wide range of reports are available to provide period histories, material totals, customer information and more. WinVRS’s convenient file utilities menu allows data to be exported to other applications such as accounting and materials control. NTEP legal-for-trade certified.
WinVRS-TOUCH offers all the same great features as WinVRS, but comes with larger fonts and buttons for convenient touchscreen navigation. When a user enters into any WinVRS window with input prompts, an on-screen keyboard appears.
Rice Lake has their OnTrak software as well. OnTrak software is an effective data management tool for truck scale operations that use Rice Lake Automated Ticketing Kiosk (ATK) systems.
OnTrak, installed on a PC, uses information from your ATK system for more detailed reporting functions. Quickly view, print, or export weight data as XML files for use in spreadsheets and more.
Apply OnTrak’s reporting features to a wide range of industries. OnTrak is incredibly easy to use, and can be installed and configured without the need for additional support staff.
DATA COLLECTION FOR SCALES
While you can send weight data in real time via RS-232 or as a digital scale with usb output… one idea that people sometimes overlook is the idea of collecting weight data over the course of days or weeks onto a USB flash drive and then downloading that data and analyzing it on your computer.
Cardinal Scale’s PC Companion is free, user-friendly reporting software that allows you to view a scale’s transactions; create, modify, and delete IDs; and generate a versatile scale data report. This software is programmed exclusively for use with the 2XX-USBA option card for Cardinal Scale’s 200 series indicators.
When used with a 4GB USB memory stick, there is enough storage space available to provide a virtually-unlimited amount of weight transactions and IDs. PC Companion provides one-click transaction reporting in a simple transaction log sorted by date or you may select more extensive filtering by specific time periods and ID. You may print reports directly from PC Companion or export data to a variety of different file types.
The items we mentioned today are just a sample of the scales and communication capabilities that exist. If this is something that interests you, we suggest that you contact us via the Request a Quote button on our website and mention what solutions you are looking for.
Just about everybody considers “price” to be a very important part of their buying decision. We’ve actually discussed this concept of price versus quality on this blog many times over the years. The challenge is that sometimes the line is blurred between quality and low quality. Many of us frequent discount stores looking for deals whether it’s a great deal on a shirt, tools, exercise equipment etc… Bottom line, almost all of us look for ways to save money while still getting a great product!
Cheap Scales Sometimes Cost You More Money…
The digital scale that you find on Amazon or ebay for $75 can display weight. It might even be fairly accurate but the quality and durability of this item is often not in the same league as top scale brands like Avery Weigh-Tronix, Ohaus, or Rice Lake. And, often we hear stories of how certain scales are thrown out and replaced fairly often. In this blog post, we will discuss a few of the areas of concern that can occur when shopping for scales on price alone.
Greater Long Term Costs
With many of these scales, the enticing part is the low up front cost. Many of these “overseas manufacturers” cut corners in design and construction. This often leads to low quality, higher failure rates, and often scales that are just either inconsistent or non-reliable.
Here’s the big point…. once these scales fail, these cheap components are often impossible or impractical to repair. So, you now have to buy another new scale. If you choose the same type of product, you will likely have the same result or perhaps you could run into stock issues with some of the overseas products.
The whole point behind purchasing a scale is to measure weight accurately, right? The challenge is finding the right scale that will consistently display accurate weight at a price that you can afford. The truth is that cheap weighing equipment often can’t deliver consistently accurate results. Many of the cheap scales that you find online are not capable of passing a NTEP evaluation and earning a certificate of conformance (aka… legal for trade) often due to poor repeatability.
What’s the point of weighing items if the numbers are inconsistent or incorrect entirely? These errors can lead to things like bad batches and/or lost dollars. Now, factor in the benefit of having a reliable and accurate scale that produces accurate batches and consistent weights in buying & selling environments.
Anytime that we do a blog post about this subject I always think about the Pennsylvania 7600 counting scale. Sure, you can buy a cheap counting scale online or in the shipping supplies catalog that’s priced anywhere from $100 and up. The problem is that usually the lower cost counting scales are about 99% plastic and 1% aluminum. And they typically don’t last too many years. Or, you could just buy a Pennsylvania counting scale and feel fairly confident that it’s going to be around for at least a couple of decades.
Let Us Help You!
Did you know that you can work with experienced scale and weighing equipment sales staff from Central Carolina Scale for free?
When we say “experienced”, we’re talking about sales people that have been in the scale industry for over two decades. Now, we don’t know everything about scales, but we usually know a lot and if we don’t know… we often have contacts who would know the answer.
Best of all, we don’t charge you anything to discuss your weighing needs. If you are looking to add a scale or replace a scale, contact us first to make sure you get the right scales for your particular project.
Scales are the backbone of any business, and key to the quality and marketability of your products. However, improper care of your scale can lead to inaccuracies and even severe damage over time. To avoid expensive maintenance costs, there are few methods you can use to ensure your scale is both long-lasting and accurate.
1. Get Your Scale Calibrated Regularly
Proper calibration is the best sign that your scale is functioning properly. Wear and tear, particulates, and working conditions can all cause your scale to become inaccurate, affecting your bottom line. The calibration process can be time-consuming, so it is best to hire a scale calibration service to check your scale for you. Professional services will use certified known weights, as well as go through the certification of your scale with the state.
2. Have a Professional Service Make Preventative Repairs
One of the best ways you can avoid major damage to your scale is to hire a professional service for a tune-up. A licensed professional will be able to make small repairs that will extend the life of your scale, as well as notice any warning signs of chronic wear or damage that you may have missed. Many companies offer specialized scale repairs, including careful testing of load cells, moisture levels, and wiring. Having a scheduled service for your scale is both convenient and less expensive overall.
3. Install Your Scale Correctly
Did you know that the main cause of damage to scales comes from installing them in the wrong location? Getting your scale set up professionally will optimize workflow and keep your scale safe from contaminants and needless wear. Many companies can partner with contractors to create custom setups or pits for your scale or make specialized screening for additional protection. Installation is also the perfect time to certify and calibrate your scale and establish a healthy relationship with your repair technician.
4. Know When You Need to Replace or Upgrade Your Scale
Many large industrial scales are made to last through constant day-to-day use. However, even the best scales cannot last forever. Knowing when to seek out a new scale for your business will avoid issues in the future, as well as keep your company up to date with the latest technology and standards. Many older mechanical scales can undergo conversion into electronic ones by replacing the weighting beam with a load cell. The process can bring new life to your equipment as well as avoid manual errors while on the job.
Central Carolina Scale Provides Scale Maintenance
If you would like to know more about scale maintenance or looking to purchase an industrial scale of your own, Central Carolina Scale has the products you are looking for. We have an extensive lineup of both commercial and industrial scales at the best prices. Central Carolina Scale also offers rentals, repairs, and certified calibration performed by our team of expert technicians. Contact us at (919) 776-7737 to request a free quote today. We look forward to finding you the best scales for your needs at the best prices possible.
Responsible for channeling both power and communication between the load cells and the indicator, load cell cables are an integral part of building a custom scale. Though not just any cable will work. See, load cell cables are selected based on the distance between the two parts, as well as certain environmental conditions like temperature, contact with abrasive or flammable materials, or even rodents.
Before you can know the right type your custom scale project needs, it is best to have an understanding of the different types of load cell cables available.
4-Wire Load Cell Cable
Perhaps the most common cable, the 4-wire load cell cable is used primarily for short distances. As its name suggests, this type consists of four wires:
Power (excitation) +
Power –
Signal (output) +
Signal –
Once connected, the cable should run from the scale to the indicator display. These wires are calibrated and designed to handle the surrounding temperatures. Many custom scale projects use the 4-wire load cell cable since it is more affordable and suitable for most scales. However, should you need additional length or if your scale is in an unpredictable environment, you may need to reconsider the type of load cell cable you are using.
6-Wire Load Cell Cable
Designed for longer distances and more difficult settings, the 6-wire load cell cable offers a lot more options. Again, as the name suggests, these load cell cables have six wires. They contain the four found above, as well as positive and negative sense wires. The long distances that 6-wire load cell cables cover can subject them to changes in resistance, temperature, and dips in voltage. The addition of these two sense wires helps to keep things flowing steadily.
Because they are not thermally compensated as the 4-wire load cell cables are, the 6-wires can be cut and used alongside other cables with no issue – making them perfect for larger commercial custom scale projects.
Types of Load Cell Cable Shielding
While 6-wire load cell cables offer a lot of benefits when designing a project, it is important to note the surrounding environment and opt for shielding that will protect the cable from any outside environmental factors. Below are the most common types of load cell cable shielding.
Hostile Environment Cable
Hostile environment cable is best used in environments that are, well, hostile. Depending on where the scale is being used, the cables may come in contact with harsh or abrasive substances, such as fuel, ether, or even salt. Over time, these substances can damage the cables.
Hostile environment cables are created with a polyurethane jacket that acts as a barrier against these damaging substances, keeping the cable safe and the scale running smoothly.
Rodent Protection Cable
Rodents and their incessant chewing may seriously interfere with a scale’s functionality. If in an environment where there are rats, mice, or other pests, the load cell cable may become enticing – leaving you with hefty costs to replace some or all of the cable.
Rodent protection cable is a type of cable that protects against this pesky situation. The outside layer of the cable is a braided shield making it difficult to chew. And, as an added defense, it is coated with a chemical that will discourage them from wanting to ever take a second bite.
Intrinsically Safe Cable
Flammable gases or liquids or generally hazardous materials can be damaging to load cell cables, requiring added security in the form of a jacket. For intrinsically safe cables, industry-standard blue double jackets are used to protect the cables from exposure to these dangerous materials.
High-Temperature Cable
In environments where the temperatures fluctuate or reach extreme highs, load cell cables need an outer covering that will protect the wires regardless of how hot it gets. A high-temperature cable is designed with a fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) jacket that insulates the wires and can withstand the heat without getting damaged.
Choosing the Right Load Cell Cable
Choosing the right load cell cable is important. If you would like to learn more about the different types of load cell cables or have questions about what would work best for your project, contact our sales department at (919) 776-7737. After all, at Central Carolina Scale, we have the largest inventory of load cell cables in the industry.
Airlines could soon require some passengers to step on the digital weigh scale or provide their weight before boarding the airplane.
The initiative, which was described in a recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advisory, attempts to provide new data on average passenger weights as the current numbers allegedly don’t reflect today’s higher obesity rates in the US. By adding this requirement, this would help aircrafts not exceed their allowable weight limit. Essentially, the FAA wants to determine how much heavier Americans have gotten over the past decade.
If this becomes the new standard, the new mandates would require airlines to take surveys to establish average passenger weights for crew members, airline baggage and passengers.
Once they’ve chosen a traveler, an operator may determine the actual weight of passengers by having them step on a scale before boarding the aircraft. However, if that’s not an option, they’re urged to ask each passenger their weight, while making sure to add 10 pounds to account for clothing.
Of course when it comes weighing people in a public setting… privacy needs to be considered, which is why the FAA also provided guidelines on conducting the procedure in a way that protects passenger privacy.
They stipulate that the scale readout should remain hidden from public view while an operator should ensure that any passenger weight data collected remains confidential. Travelers have the option of declining to participate in any passenger or bag weight survey, per the guidelines. You can read much more on this subject by viewing the original article
What do you think about this subject? I guess it makes sense as long as the airlines do a good job with privacy and being discreet. However, what happens if you total up all the passenger and baggage weight and it’s too much? Are certain people asked to leave? Well, whatever you need regarding this subject, we can provide you. Bench Scales to weigh airplane passengers, Airplane Baggage Scales and more…
