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Category Archives: Check Weigh Scales

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. 

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

How to Buy Professional Grade Food Service Kitchen Scales

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Where do you start when shopping for a commercial grade food service kitchen scale? When purchasing a scale for your kitchen or restaurant, the options can be overwhelming.

We offer a range of foodservice scales that can be used for a variety of weighing needs including portion control, batching, and even parts counting. In order to determine which scale is best for you, start by asking yourself the following questions.

First, start with basic application questions about how you will be using the commercial kitchen scale. What do you want to do with the scale? What weight capacity are you looking for? What weight increments will you need the scale to read in? For example a hundredth of a pound or a tenth of a pound.  Will you need the scale to read in pounds, ounces, kilograms, grams, or pounds and ounces? Will you be buying or selling over this scale? If so, your scale will need to be legal for trade. Will your scale need to be NSF certified?

mechanical dial scale for food prep

Then, ask yourself more product specific questions about what requirements your scale will need to meet. Do you need a stainless steel scale? Will you be washing the scale down? And if so, how often? How large of a weighing platform will you need? Will the scale need to be readable from a distance? Are there any other functions you’re looking for? Such as Checkweighing, grading, piece counting, etc.

 

Other questions to ask yourself include: Are you looking for a scale with communication capability? Such as USB, Serial, Bluetooth, etc.) Will the scale be picked up and/or moved frequently? Is update speed or filtering a factor in weighing your products? Would a bowl on your scale make weighing easier? If so, do you want the bowl permanently attached? Or do you need it to be removable?

Are Mechanical or Digital Kitchen Scales Better?

We offer a variety of Yamato mechanical and digital scale models. Choosing between mechanical and digital often comes down to personal preferences, yet there are distinct advantages to each option.

Mechanical Scales operate without power, cords, or cumbersome setups. This makes them effortlessly portable. These scales are durable and some can even withstand regular washdowns.

digital portion scale for washdown weighing

Digital Scales are renowned for their accuracy and rapid measurement capabilities. While they require power, they offer versatility with multiple measurement units such as pounds, ounces, kilograms, and gram modes. Furthermore, they often come equipped with advanced features like check weighing, grading, and batching to cater to more diverse needs. Water resistant options are also available.

Answering the questions outlined in this video and considering if you prefer a mechanical scale or a digital scale is a good place to start when shopping for a new commercial kitchen scale. Our commercial weighing experts can help guide you to the right scale model that will best meet your needs. Complete the RFQ form on our website to get started. 

The Top 5 Washdown Scales You Should Consider For Food Processing Applications

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For this entry, we’re going to focus on food service or food prep environments where the scales need to be stainless steel and are washed off regularly.

In these environments it is essential to have a “waterproof scale” that can be hosed down with warm soapy water and cleaned to minimize operational downtime. When we discuss washdown bench scales we often use the IP ratings which you’ve probably heard of. Normally, the higher the rating the better the washdown capability. Same is true for washdown floor scales. 

So let’s go ahead and list our top 5 choices for water resistant scales. These choices are based on our past experience and manufacturer reputation. I also want to mention that it’s not just about the digital weight indicator. The load cell that is inside the scale platform is also a factor in the overall weighing and washdown performance as well. Ideally for washdown applications the load cell should be stainless steel and hermetically sealed. Some would even recommend hydrostatic cells for this type of environment.

cw-90x check weigh scale for commercial fishing

#1 Rice Lake CW90X

We listed the CW90X as the top choice but really it’s the Rice Lake lineup as an entire group. Made to withstand sharp knife-point contacts as well as contaminants and liquids, Rice Lake’s CW-90X features an amazingly tough piezo keypad. Its extra-strength material is the most durable in the industry, ensuring your scale will continue to work through any challenge.

Manufacturers with harsh production environments look for the IP69K rating to provide the highest level of protection available. The CW-90X uses a hermetically sealed load cell and stainless steel indicator, which have both earned IP69K rating, guaranteeing protection from repeated high temp/high pressure washdowns. Complete with 304 stainless steel construction, the CW-90X will help meet all of your HACCP and food industry requirements.

Rice Lake actually has several weight indicators that are now rated as IP69K including the 680 and 682 in addition to the CW90X. And, they also now have the 380 Synergy as well as the 380X available. So, overall this is one of the top brands of “waterproof” scales that we would recommend for this type of environment. 

#2 Cardinal 190

Cardinal Scale weight indicators are one of the most vital pieces of equipment available in the company’s extensive product line. These valuable implements can couple with virtually any scale or weighing equipment to provide easy, digital viewing in almost any setting, indoors or outdoors. Each indicator is developed with the highest durability, data integration, and resolution in mind. Cardinal Scale Manufacturing weight indicators service a wide range of industries, from food service and medical to industrial and agricultural weighing applications. Cardinal Scale’s indicators range from waterproof, color-changing displays to full-fledged programmable indicators that can be remotely controlled.

Built for extreme-use applications in the weighing industry, the Cardinal 190 STORM IP69K rated polycarbonate enclosure withstands high-temperature up to 176º F and high-pressure wash downs (1450 PSI). The 190 STORM features capacitive touch keys, 1-inch-high clearly visible LCD digits, built-in RS232 communications port, and versatile power options: AC, DC, and rechargeable battery.

The 190 STORM bright vivid display changes color automatically as the pre-assigned target weights are reached. The operator knows immediately when they’ve reached the acceptable weight range based on the amber, green, or red color changes for UNDER, ACCEPT, or OVER weights. NTEP, OIML, and Measurement Canada.

The 190 is consistently a favorite among customers over the past several years due to it’s enclosure rating, easy to read display, and overall features. 

#3 Ohaus Defender Series

In our opinion, no washdown scale list is complete without at least mentioning the robust lineup of washdown scales under the Ohaus Defender banner. There are NUMEROUS choices available to meet just about any specification or requirement you can think of. In fact, I could have easily moved this selection up in our top 5 since they do have so many choices available. 

For example, the Defender 6000 Series Extreme Washdown Bench Scale is specifically designed for food, chemical and pharmaceutical applications, including production and packaging. Defender 6000 handles the most demanding applications with 316 stainless steel platform and frame, and hermetically sealed stainless steel IP69K load cell. Defender 6000 meets metrological approvals, NSF listing, and supporting HACCP systems.

IP66 rated weight indicator

Meanwhile for those looking for a more simple stainless steel washdown scale, the Defender 3000 Washdown – i-D33 Stainless Steel Bench Scale for basic industrial washdown applications features a i-DT33XW weight display that is easy to read using the large, bright backlit LCD display. In Checkweighing mode display changes color (yellow/green/red) to alert when within the target weight range. This tough industrial scale features a 304-stainless steel platform and frame, IP67 load cell. The Ohaus i-DT33XW weight indicator features an IP66 washdown protected 304-stainless steel housing with mounting bracket. Great for parts counting, check weighing and totalization. Includes RS232 with optional USB Device or Ethernet for printing or data connectivity.

#4 Rinstrum X320

The Rinstrum X320 combines innovation in industrial design and engineering excellence to create a weight indicator that is ideal for use in food processing, automotive, chemical or pharmaceutical applications or basically any applications that require reliable operation in harsh environmental conditions. The Rinstrum X320 indicator builds on Rinstrum’s already successful R320 indicator that you’ve probably seen over the years. Constructed of a high tech plastic alloy that is food grade and chemical resistant, temperature resistant, and impact resistant. 

x320

The double “o” ring seal which provides great performance over traditional stainless steel enclosures. IP69K rating: the industry’s highest environmental protection rating – designed to withstand cleaning with high pressure water jets (1400psi) at high temperatures from multiple angles. The X320 features built-in check weigh function with 3 colored high intensity LEDs. Rinstrum also has a variety of scale bases to use with the X320 as well. 

#5 Pennsylvania Scale Co

The Pennsylvania Scale Co now offers hygienic washdown scales & washdown indicators that feature an easy-to-clean design for demanding wet and washdown environments. 

The Pennsylvania Scale Co 6500 Series washdown scales and weighing systems include indicators, washdown scales, and bases that provide high-performance, easy-to-clean designs for demanding wet and washdown environments. Systems are available as indicator only, bench scale only, bench scale and indicator, and bench scale, indicator, and column.

All 304 stainless steel construction, including hardware and load cell, helps to maintain sanitary requirements while delivering dependable performance in demanding environments, such as food manufacturing and food processing. Other hygienic design features include a fully sealed indicator, welded corners on the platform cover, and an open design base structure that won’t collect water or debris.

Choose from the simple interface 7400 WD or, for more advanced operation, the 7600/4 WD indicator. The Pennsylvania washdown lineup at this time features an IP66 to IP67 rating.

We put this lineup in our top 5 washdown scales list for several reasons. PA Scale items are generally well built and tend to last for many years. Many of the items are constructed in the USA so hopefully lead times should be reasonable. The scales feature a generous manufacturers limited warranty. And, we feel this company is heading in the right direction when it comes to quality, product development, leadership, etc…  (We can’t say that for all our suppliers)

Well there you have it. Our top 5 washdown scales. It’s actually more than five, especially when you factor all the Ohaus Defender choices!  If you need some help deciding amongst all these great washdown scales, just call our sales team at (919) 776-7737

 

 

Grain Testing Scales for Sample Houses

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Grain testing scales are essential tools used in agricultural sampling houses for coops, large farms, and the food processing industry to determine the quality and value of grain. Here’s a step-by-step explanation of their use and requirements for legal-for-trade classification:

Sample Collection

Grain samples are typically collected by a probe while the grain is loaded in a truck and being weighed on a static truck scale. Proper sampling is crucial to ensure the sample is representative of the entire batch, so the probe will typically select the sampling from random spots within the batch.

Weighing

The grain sample is brought into the scale house via the probe. There the sample is placed on a testing scale to measure its weight. This measurement helps in determining the test weight of the grain, which is a key factor in marketing and pricing. Test weight indicates the density of the grain and can influence its market value.

Grain scales such as Cardinal Detecto models 420-3000, 420-1200, and 420-600 provide quick and accurate weight measurements for a variety of grains. These small countertop scales are typically situated next to the grain moisture meter in the scale house.

Moisture Testing

After the sample has been weighed, it is then tested for moisture content using a grain moisture meter. This step is essential for assessing the grain’s quality and suitability for storage and processing.

Dockage Testing

Dockage testing helps separate impurities from the grain. Dockage is foreign material typically not included in the market price.

Data Recording

The weights and measurements obtained from the scale and grain moisture meter are recorded and analyzed. These data points provide insights into the quality, purity, and potential yield of the grain batch.

Quality Grading

Based on the weight and size distribution, the grain is graded. Higher test weights generally indicate better grain quality, which fetches higher prices on the market. These procedures ensure that the grain meets industry standards and helps in making informed decisions regarding its sales and processing.

detecto 420 series ntep scales

Detecto model 420-3000 class II legal-for-trade scale is a popular choice for grain testing weighing due to its 60,000-division resolution combined with a price point nearly $1000 less than any other competitor’s NTEP scales in that resolution category. Multiple other 420 series models with varying capacities and similar price range are also available in the 60,000-division category, making them NTEP (National Type Evaluation Program) legal-for-trade for grain sampling weighing applications. They only take up 8.6 inch x 11.5 inch of counter space and come with an AC adapter and rechargeable battery.

The 420-3000 sampling scale has a 7.4 inch by 5.8 inch stainless steel platform that can be lifted off for easy cleaning after grain weighing. The precision digital balance scale has a 3,000 gram capacity with 0.05 gram divisions, conforming to NTEP class II Handbook 44 requirements, for use in both commercial and GIPSA (Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration) applications.

The scale division for grain testing scales, according to Handbook 44, must not exceed 0.2 grams for loads through 500 grams, and must not exceed 1 gram for loads above 500 grams through 1,000 grams, so the 420-3000 is well below those requirements at only 0.05 gram divisions.

One of the factors in grain quality that sampling houses will be looking for is dockage, such as debris and hulls. Dockage refers to the foreign material and impurities, such as fungus, in grain that needs to be removed to assess its true quality and value.

Scale house operators will test for fungus by weighing good grain samples first and weighing grain samples with fungus present afterward to extrapolate from the total load and subtract the dollar amount from the load’s value. These minute weight differences between dockage and live weight samples are why grain test scales with tight division values are critical in the process.

The grain samples are subjected to dockage testing using specialized equipment like dockage testers. These testers help in separating the impurities from the grain, providing a clear measurement of the dockage percentage.

Dockage testing is a critical step in the grain grading process, ensuring that only high-quality, impurity-free grain reaches the market, which benefits both producers and consumers. The grain elevator purchasing company discloses dockage prior to the transaction being completed, so the farmer can accept the offer or decline it and check if they can get a better dockage elsewhere, and therefore a better price, from another buyer.

The USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration, otherwise known as GIPSA, establishes regulations for grain weighing under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA).

These regulations ensure accurate and fair grain weighing practices, which are critical for maintaining market integrity. GIPSA sets official performance and procedural requirements for grain weighing equipment. This includes the guidelines for accuracy, calibration, and maintenance of weighing devices used in grain handling facilities.

Sampling houses in commercial applications must use grain testing scales that are NTEP approved and placed in service legal for trade. Depending upon the state, the scales would be placed in service by a state scale inspector or a registered scale service agency. Most states will not place a scale in service that does not have NTEP certificate or conformance, but in the end that is determined by the state.

The owner of the scale is responsible for the scale, so if it is either not suitable or out of tolerance, the owner is liable and could face fines, which are generally levied by the state attorney office. Detecto 420 series scales combine NTEP legal-for-trade class II status that conforms to Handbook 44 and USDA GIPSA requirements, in the division size necessary, with a much lower price point than any other competitors’ scales on the market making them a clear choice for grain testing weighing.​

Contact our sales department today to learn more about the 420 series.

5 Ways Food & Beverage Industry Companies Benefit from Waterproof Scales

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When it comes to the food & beverage industry, cleanliness is extremely important and there’s rarely room for equipment downtime. Given that weighing ingredients and keeping the weighing scales you use clean can be quite  messy, it’s important to use an electronic scale that can withstand harsh environments and won’t let you down.

Please see our selection of waterproof bench scales.  Below are the top 5 benefits that companies enjoy from using our washdown safe scales.

#1     NSF Certified Weighing Equipment

One of the biggest benefits of our waterproof scales is that many of the scales are NSF Approved. Many of our washdown products meet strict standards for public health protection. You can use them when dealing with food and beverages safely.

stainless steel portion weigherThe Aqua stainless steel scale lineup offers check weighing, percentage weighing and parts counting, while the Gladiator range offers those as well as check counting, dynamic/animal weighing, and a helpful Hold function.

These applications can be exceptionally helpful in the food and drink industry. Dynamic weighing and the hold function on the Gladiator can be particularly useful when dealing with cans, bottles or barrels filled with liquid. Since it’s moving around inside, you don’t want to have to wait for the liquids to settle before weighing, so the dynamic weighing feature takes an average weight to solve this issue.

Checkweighing can be used to help make sure that each completed product, such as peach pies, are within acceptable limits and not under or over filled. Parts counting can help pack bags or boxes with the same amount of product – bags of candy should have the same number of pieces in each!

checkweighing

#2     Full Protection from Water Ingress

Some customers and scale companies like to use the term waterproof scales. We prefer washdown scales. A waterproof scale is generally a scale that has an ingress protection (IP) rating of at least 68 (IP68). This means that it’s fully protected against solids (6) and liquids ( 8) getting inside and messing up the hardware.

Technically, you can immerse a waterproof scale with an IP68 rating in depths of water over one meter for an extended period. For more information about IP ratings, check out our past entry how much does a waterproof scale cost? 

Many ingredients are made of liquid and if there are any spillages, there’s no need to worry about the safety of your waterproof scale. Dry or wet, it will operate exactly as it was designed.

One note about scale enclosures and ratings… If you’re a food processing facility and you have internal maintenance workers who can do basic scale work…  Remember, you can have the highest IP rated equipment ever made, but if your maintenance department either leaves screws loose or completely off the equipment, water will get inside no matter how great your IP rated equipment is.   

adam gladiator bench scale

#3     Durable and Easy to Clean Weighing Equipment

Another benefit of waterproof scales is that when spills happen, they’re very easy to clean. IP68 rated waterproof scales can handle low temperature water jets. If you need to take your scale out back and hose it down, your washdown safe scale is capable of handling that.

Cross contamination can also become a real issue, especially when dealing with perishables like meat, fish, or dairy. Scales used for weighing these items should be cleaned thoroughly with soap or gentle cleansers every day to maintain hygiene standards. This way, you’ll protect consumers from the threat of food poisoning or unhealthy bacteria caused by build-up on a dirty food scale.

We’ve established that waterproof scales are protected from water, which obviously makes them pretty durable. However, most of our selection of waterproof scales are constructed from high quality Grade 304 stainless steel, which has quite a few benefits as well. 

Many components of the foods and beverages we eat and drink are acidic, and could cause damage to a less durable scale over time. Grade 304 stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion, so frequent contact with corrosive liquids will not be a hindrance to your operations.

stainless steel waterproof nsf scale

In general, metals like mild steel or cast-iron rust easily when left in contact with liquids for too long. Stainless steel is much less susceptible to rusting. For example, the Adam Equipment Aqua ABW-S features stainless steel housing and pan, making it durable top to bottom. Also, the Gladiator series is constructed from a stainless-steel platform as well as the stainless steel IP68 AE 403 indicator, both of which can be purchased individually or combined in one scale system.

#4    Scales That can be Used Outdoors

Many waterproof weighing scales include rechargeable batteries. This can be an extremely helpful feature when harvesting fruits and vegetables at a farm, orchard, or wine vineyard. Harvesting staff can effectively organize produce by weight, which any grocery store or farmer’s market will appreciate.

If many of the boxes of produce weigh about the same, or if you organize the produce from heaviest to lightest, this makes it easier to calculate prices later. We offer a wide variety of NTEP approved scales so you can legally use them to set prices for your products according to weight.

The durability of waterproof scales, with their protection against water, dirt, and corrosion, make them perfect outdoor tools. Is it starting to rain? No need to pack up your scale. Are the vegetables dirty? Get as much dirt off as possible, since dirt weighs something too. But, best of all, if the scale gets dirty, just wash it off when you can. 

Don’t forget about washdown floor scales and/or floor scales that can be placed outdoors and can handle the elements such as rain and snow. 

industrial floor scale

#5     Overall Great Value for Your Investment

Waterproof scales are convenient, improving operational efficiency with less effort and fuss. They have superior longevity, preventing you from needing to frequently replace your scale. These days there are cheap scales everywhere, with little to no quality control. Be sure to trust the buying advice of your trusted scale company and reputable scale manufacturers. 

A slightly higher price is worth long-lasting peace of mind (see value vs accuracy). And many of our washdown safe scales come with high quality components, longer warranty periods, and impressive weighing accuracy.

Do you need some help deciding on a “waterproof” scale? Contact our sales team for assistance.

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Challenges Confronting Food Processing Companies: Navigating Quality & Weighing Accuracy

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Food processing companies play a crucial role in ensuring the supply of safe, nutritious, and consistent food products to consumers. However, this industry faces a myriad of challenges that demand constant innovation and diligent attention to overcome. Among the most pressing issues are maintaining product quality and achieving precise weighing accuracy in daily production. In this article, we delve into these challenges and explore how companies are navigating them to meet consumer expectations and regulatory standards.

1. Quality Assurance and Food Safety

One of the paramount concerns for food processing companies is maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety for their products. In an era of heightened awareness about foodborne illnesses and allergens, consumers demand transparency and accountability from manufacturers. Ensuring quality begins with sourcing top-grade raw materials and implementing stringent quality control protocols throughout the processing chain. Companies must adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and other regulatory frameworks to minimize contamination risks.

Advanced technologies such as blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) applications are now being integrated to enhance traceability, allowing companies to identify and rectify potential issues swiftly. This level of transparency and proactive approach to quality assurance instills consumer confidence and cultivates brand loyalty.

2. Weighing Accuracy and Product Consistency

Accurate weighing is a fundamental aspect of food processing, directly impacting product consistency and cost management. Errors in weighing can lead to variations in product composition, affecting taste, texture, and appearance, which is unacceptable in a competitive market. Moreover, inaccuracies can result in overproduction or underproduction, leading to wastage or stock shortages, respectively.

check weighing

To tackle this challenge, companies invest in advanced weighing technologies such as more automated weighing systems, over & under check weighing, longer lasting accurate load cells, and precision portion scales built to withstand the food processing environment. Regular calibration and scale maintenance of these instruments are crucial to ensure their accuracy and reliability. Additionally, implementing Statistical Process Control (SPC) methods enables real-time monitoring and data analysis to identify potential deviations and maintain optimal performance.

3. Optimal Utilization of Weight Scales

Food processing companies often operate on tight profit margins, making efficient utilization of resources paramount. Electronic scales play a central role in production, and their performance directly impacts productivity and cost-effectiveness. The challenge lies in selecting the right type of weight scale for specific applications and ensuring its proper maintenance.

Different locations in the facility may require different types of weight scales, ranging from bench scales for small portions to heavy-duty stainless steel floor scales for bulk quantities. Integration of programmable scale controllers can streamline production and reduce human error. Regular training of personnel in operating and maintaining weight scales is essential to ensure their longevity and reliability.

Doran 2200CW stainless steel checkweigher

4. Compliance with Evolving Regulations

The food processing industry operates in a dynamic regulatory environment, with standards and guidelines subject to change. Companies must keep pace with these evolving regulations to avoid compliance issues and legal repercussions. Non-compliance not only jeopardizes consumer safety but also undermines brand reputation and market position.

Staying compliant requires continuous monitoring of regulatory updates, participation in industry associations, and investing in workforce training programs. Collaborating with regulatory experts can provide valuable insights into current and upcoming requirements, helping companies stay ahead of the curve.

5. Sustainability and Environmental Impact

As the world becomes increasingly environmentally conscious, food processing companies are under pressure to reduce their environmental footprint. This entails minimizing food waste, optimizing energy consumption, and adopting eco-friendly packaging solutions. Moreover, companies are exploring alternative sourcing of raw materials and engaging in responsible sourcing practices to support sustainability initiatives.

Final Thoughts:

The food processing industry faces a multitude of challenges, with maintaining quality and improving weighing accuracy, while improving the durability of the weighing equipment. By embracing cutting-edge technologies, adhering to best practices, and staying attuned to regulatory changes, companies can surmount these hurdles and continue to deliver safe, high-quality food products while safeguarding the environment and consumer trust. Be sure to contact our sales department (919) 776-7737 for more info on our food processing scales and weighing equipment that we offer.

The Peril of Monopoly: The Dangers of Choosing an Industrial Scale Provider who Basically Only Recommends One Scale Brand

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In the world of industry and commerce, precision measurement and weighing accuracy are paramount, making industrial scales and laboratory balances an indispensable tool in many industries. When it comes to selecting a reliable provider for your weighing needs, many local businesses seek convenience by opting for a one-stop-shop that sells scales and offers calibration and service support. And, often folks search for old and familiar scale brand they may have heard of years ago.

However, one mistake that some customers make involves choosing a scale supplier who essentially is only offering one brand of scale 99% of the time. This cozy relationship with a sole brand may appear convenient on the surface, but it comes with a range of potential pitfalls that businesses should be wary of. Do the terms Protected Territories, Limited Competition, and High Prices sound familiar? 

This article explores the perils of such an arrangement and underscores the importance of keeping an open mind when it comes to selecting a local industrial scale provider in your area.

1. Limited Product Options:

Relying on an industrial scale provider who predominantly offers one brand of scales leaves your business with limited options. Each industry has unique requirements, and no single scale brand can cater to the diverse needs of every enterprise. By restricting yourself to just one brand of scales, you risk overlooking better-suited alternatives that might provide more accurate readings, advanced features, or even more cost-effectiveness. Opting to work with a local scale company with a wide array of scale options ensures you can find the perfect match for your business requirements.

2. Bias and Unreliable Recommendations:

The inherent conflict of interest in exclusively recommending one scale brand raises questions about the objectivity and credibility of the provider’s suggestions. Is the recommendation driven by the best interest of the client, or is it motivated by financial gains or meeting sales quotas from promoting a particular brand? A biased recommendation might lead to investing in scales that are not truly suitable for your operations, leading to suboptimal performance, increased maintenance costs, or even safety hazards.

3. Lack of Customization and Product Flexibility:

Industrial operations vary widely, and a one-size-fits-all approach to scales simply won’t suffice. By relying on a local scale provider who predominantly deals with one brand, you may face limitations in customizing the scales to match your specific requirements. Customization could involve factors such as scale capacity, platform size, and specialized features, which are critical to ensuring optimal performance and efficient workflow.

There could be situations where your number one scale brand might be a good choice for the scale platform but the scale controller might be a different brand. Is the scale company willing to use another brand?

4. Inadequate Support and Service:

Calibration and regular maintenance are vital to the accurate functioning of industrial scales. Choosing a local scale sales and service provider that primarily deals with one scale brand may limit your access to reliable service and support. They may lack the expertise to handle other scale brands effectively, resulting in subpar calibration or repairs. In contrast, a diversified local scale provider (like Central Carolina Scale) is more likely to have a skilled team capable of servicing a wide range of scale models efficiently.

5. Competitive Pricing:

Monopoly situations can also sometimes lead to inflated pricing. With limited options and no direct competition, the scale provider may not have any incentives to offer competitive prices. As a result, your business might end up paying more for a scale that could be obtained at a better price elsewhere.

high quality scales and weighing equipment

Final Thoughts:

Choosing an industrial scale provider is a crucial decision that directly impacts the efficiency and accuracy of your operations. While the convenience of an all-in-one provider might be tempting, the dangers of opting for one who predominantly deals with a single brand of scales cannot be ignored. The limited product options, protected territories limiting competition, biased recommendations, and inadequate support could all hamper your business’s growth and success.

Instead, we recommend working with a scale company like ours. At Central Carolina Scale, we have good working relationships with many different scale manufacturers. If a customer approaches us and asks for a product or solution for their weighing, we are going to base our product recommendations off things like past success, proven products, overall value, etc… We typically provide multiple reputable choices to customers to consider.

In our experience, rarely is one scale manufacturer the best choice for everything. Some manufacturer really good truck scales. Some manufacturer easy to use digital weight indicators. In fact, we often provide scale systems to customers that have one brand of scale platform and a different brand of digital weight indicator. Most of the time we do that because we’re trying to provide the customer with the best overall scale equipment for their needs.

How Much Does a Waterproof Scale Cost?

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Today we’re going to discuss how much a wash down scale costs. Wait, is it waterproof or wash down? First, a little disclaimer. Some customers like to call these scales “waterproof” which is why we use it in our title. However, that term is not quite accurate. The scales we sell are called “wash down safe” and typically have an IP rating usually somewhere between IP66 and IP69K.

cw-90x check weigh scale for commercial fishing

Stainless Steel Washdown Scales

Basically a washdown scale is designed to be water resistant and easily cleaned after use. The components of a washdown scale are typically constructed of stainless steel. In choosing a new washdown scale for your business, the quality of the components often plays a huge role in the cost.

Stainless Steel Scale Platform Costs

For example, in a standard bench scale, one way to lower the cost would be to use a stainless steel cover and a painted steel scale base. Another way to lower the cost is to use an aluminum load cell instead of stainless steel cell or a hermetically sealed load cell. If you’re in a food processing setting, you should probably be using a stainless steel scale system designed to handle the rigors of daily cleaning. The scale base or platform is available in various sizes and capacities. Continue reading →

What Makes a Weighing Scale Better Quality than Another?

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We get this question all the time and it’s a fair question. What makes one weighing scale better quality than another? Sure, it can be worded a little differently like why is one scale priced so much higher than the other, even though they look identical?  The answers can vary from scale type to scale type.

Why Does One Scale Cost So Much More Than Another?  

So why does one scale cost so much more than another?  Here are a few reasons.

  • The country the scale was manufactured in
  • The quality of the components inside the scale
  • The construction of the scale itself
  • A lithium ion battery vs. a lead acid battery
  • IP68 enclosure vs. IP65 enclosure
  • Stainless Steel enclosure vs. painted steel or plastic enclosure
  • The warranty of the item
  • The reputation of the scale manufacturer 

Probably no better example exists on this subject than floor scales. We have floor scales that we offer that basically look very similar to one another that are essentially $2000 different on price. How do you explain that difference?  Well, let’s try to do just that below.

industrial floor scaleOur industrial floor scale is a 4×4 with 5000 LB capacity. NTEP approved. Stainless Weight Indicator with battery.  It weighs approximately 300 pounds.

light industrial floor scale

Our light industrial floor scale is a 4×4 with 5000 LB capacity. NTEP approved. Stainless Weight Indicator with battery.  It weighs approximately 220 pounds.  

Essentially, that eighty pound difference in the physical weight of the scale platform is one big reason there’s approximately $2000 difference in price.

So, is the more expensive scale worth it?  The answer is…. it depends on your weighing application.

If you are a metal recycler for example, then you likely want good quality scales that are built tough and can handle the daily abuse that weighing equipment is going to take in that environment. The last thing you want in that environment is a scale platform that can’t handle the thousands of pounds of weight. So in this example, yes the additional cost is likely worth it when you average out the years of service the scale will provide.

However, if you’re a shipping warehouse that weighs a few 800 pound pallets everyday, then you probably don’t need the more expensive scale. 

Ultimately, this is where discussing your particular weighing needs with your scale sales person is a smart thing. Give us a call or fill out the RFQ form on our website.  

Better Quality Weighing Equipment or Low Priced Scales? 

Really, there are numerous factors that can determine the overall quality of a weighing scale. Some of the most important factors include:

  1. Accuracy: A high-quality weighing scale should be able to accurately measure the weight of an object. This is often determined by the scale’s sensitivity and resolution. We recommend choosing NTEP approved weighing equipment for reputable scale manufacturers for the best results.

  2. Repeatability: A good weighing scale should be able to consistently produce the same weight reading for the same object. Often with lower quality items, this can become a problem.

  3. Construction: A good scale is designed to last for years of service. This is where you need to discuss your weighing needs with your sales person and determine if industrial or light industrial weighing equipment makes sense for you. 

  4. Resolution: The resolution of a scale refers to the smallest weight that the scale can measure. A scale with high resolution will be able to measure small weights more accurately than a scale with low resolution. This often comes into play with counting scales and lab balances.

  5. Stability: A high-quality scale should be stable and not drift or fluctuate over time. Once again better quality items tend to be more stable and consistent.

  6. Durability: A scale that is built to last will be of higher quality than one that is prone to breaking or malfunctioning. We recommend choosing reputable scale brands with a good reputation in the scale industry vs. cheap imported scales.

  7. Ease of use: A scale that is easy to use, with clear instructions and a user-friendly interface, will be better than one that is difficult to operate. Scales that are easy to use is a good thing. Don’t just think about you or the one employee who is using the scale. Also think about the person who has to fill in and learn how to use the scale.

  8. Customer support: A scale manufacturer that provides good customer support and stands behind their product is likely to offer higher quality products. We have several reputable scale manufacturers who offer quality weighing equipment that we’ve sold and serviced for many years.

Ultimately what it really comes down to in our opinion is communication between the buyer or procurement manager and the scale salesperson. That seems simple. But in today’s point and click and add to shopping cart world that we live in, it’s really important to be on the same page. When you ask the question what makes one weighing scale better quality than another, you need to discuss this subject with your scale sales person, who can assist you with appropriate product choices that will best fit what you’re trying to do.