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Answering Your Questions About Truck Scale Load Cells & Mounting Systems

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The majority of this article is provided by Rice Lake Weighing Systems. We have also added a few insights and thoughts of our own as well.

What is a Load Cell?

A load cell, also commonly referred to as a transducer, converts a mechanical force into an electrical signal. Basically, the load cell bends slightly when weight is applied.

In a compression mounted load cell where the load cell is beneath the weighing vessel, like a truck scale, the load cell compresses when a load is applied. This would apply to scales like the Cardinal PRC which has the SCA load cells.

The load cell produces an analog output signal that is proportional to the applied weight or force. The load cell transmits this signal to a digital weight indicator that converts the signal into a digital weight measurement.

When an application requires multiple load cells, each load cell should measure the same proportion of the total load. So in a four load cell system, each load cell should measure exactly one quarter of the load.

Many load cells are proprietary to a specific manufacturer, and may require additional maintenance and costs of ownership. Carefully discuss with your scale supplier all options for load cell systems.

replacement rl75058-75k truck scale load cells

Analog Load Cells
The most common load cells on the market work on the strain gauge principle. All load cells need to convert their analog values to digital before the load’s weight reading can be displayed on an indicator.

Some load cells are directly cabled to the digital weight indicator where the translation occurs. Other cells are connected to summing junction boxes on the scale where the box sums analog readings from multiple load cells, converts it to a digital signal and sends that signal to the digital weight indicator.

Hydraulic Load Cells (pressure transmitters)
Unlike most other load cells, hydraulic load cells do not use strain gauges or internal circuitry. Instead, hydraulic load cells contain hydraulic fluid, and during compression, a change in pressure is created and transmitted via tubing to a summing system where the pressure is applied to an analog load cell to determine weight.

The advantages of the hydraulic load cell typically relate to being resistant to lightning damage. The disadvantage of this type of scale and replacement load cell is the cost.

Analog-to-Digital Load Cells
Some analog load cells perform the analog-to-digital signal conversion within the load cell housing. Although sometimes referred to as digital load cells, the cell still measures in analog. Making the conversion from an analog signal to a digital signal in the load cell allows the system to compare the output of individual load cells and perform a diagnostic analysis based on that information.

Some would say that because the conversion happens in the load cell, sensitive electronic components are increased throughout the scale system, making them susceptible to damage from vibration, moisture and increased solder joints.

Types of Load Cells Found in Truck Scales

Double Ended Shear Beam
This is the most widely used vehicle scale load cell configuration in North America. A double-ended shear beam load cell is a compression load cell that offers a large capacity range from 1,000 to 200,000 pounds.

The double-ended shear beam is secured at both ends with the load applied to the center of the load cell. As in all shear beam designs, the strain gauges are mounted on a thin web in the center of the cell’s machined cavity.

The load cell also has the advantages of being less expensive in high capacity applications than the canister load cell because it does not require checking, making it virtually a maintenance free solution.

Canister
A canister load cell is the oldest load cell type. Also a compression device, it is shaped like a vertical canister and can handle loads from 100 to 1,000,000 pounds.

It is either hermetically sealed or welded to protect the gauges. This load cell’s drawbacks include the fact that it requires checking — installing check or stay rods to hold the weighing vessel in place on the load cell’s top plate during weighing.

For these reasons, many canister load cells on the market today are used to replace older canister load cells on existing weighing systems.

Rocker Column
Some manufacturers prefer rocker column load cells because they are inexpensive. However, they require check rods and bumper bolts that require maintenance, increasing your cost of ownership. The cost saved by the manufacturer on the raw material is passed down the line to the end user in the form of additional maintenance.

Load Cells Are Usually Manufactured as either Alloy Steel or Stainless Steel 

Truck scale load cells are generally made of stainless steel or alloy steel, but most manufacturers offer a variety of load cell solutions that best fit your application needs.

Alloy Steel Load Cells
Load cells manufactured from tool alloy steel elements are by far the most popular cells in use today. The cost to performance ratio is better compared to either aluminum or stainless steel designs. The most popular alloys are 4330 and 4340 because they have low creep (the change in load cell output over time while under load) and low hysteresis (the difference between load cell output readings for the same applied load).

Stainless Steel Load Cells
Stainless steel cells are more expensive than tool alloy steel load cells. They are sometimes fitted with hermetically sealed web cavities, which make them an ideal choice for corrosive, high-moisture applications. Stainless steel load cells that are not hermetically sealed have little advantage over comparable cells constructed of tool alloy steel, other than a higher resistance to corrosion.

We hope you enjoyed learning more about the different load cells found in the average truck scale. Since 1980 we have been providing customers throughout the central part of North Carolina with truck scale inspections, scale repair and calibration services. Our test weights and weight cart are certified by the state of North Carolina for accuracy. Our scale technicians are highly trained and knowledgeable when it comes to checking and installing various brands of truck scales.

If you need your existing scale checked or perhaps you’re in the market for a new truck scale, please give us a call today (919) 776-7737.

 

Important Changes to Rice Lake 920i Display & CPU Board

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The Rice Lake Weighing Systems 920i digital weight indicator has been an extremely successful indicator. It’s been utilized in thousands of different applications with accurate and reliable results. But as we all know things change and technology improves. So Rice Lake is making a few updates to the 920i which should allow it to continue to be a great choice for your scale needs for years to come.

To make the 920i programmable weight indicator even more robust and further extend its life, Rice Lake Weighing Systems is now manufacturing the 920i with enhanced display and CPU boards. These changes offer several benefits and are essential to ensure availability of components needed to continue manufacturing the 920i in the future.

ENHANCED DISPLAYS
As of February 1, 2018, Rice Lake began manufacturing the 920i with a technologically improved LED backlight display. While this change may go unnoticed, it affects the replacement part process.

If a 920i was built prior to February 1, 2018, and needs a replacement display, Rice Lake recommends replacing the old fluorescent backlight display with a new LED backlight display.

 

LED BACKLIGHT DISPLAY PART NUMBERS

LED backlight display
board (transmissive) …………………. 186275

LED backlight display
board (transflective)………………….. 186276

LED backlight only …………………… 187677

 

A new power supply cable must also be installed during this replacement:

                                                            AC POWER               DC POWER
Universal models ……………………………186464                        186464
Deep Universal model………………………186278                        187603
Panel mount models ………………………..186278                        187603
Wall mount models ………………………….186760                        188345
Two-slot expansion for
Wall mount models …………………………188716                          189424
Two-slot expansion for Panel mount
or Deep Universal models …………………188717                        189425
Six-Slot expansion for Wall mount………  188774                             N/A

Please note, fluorescent backlight displays are temporarily available if an upgrade to LED is not desired. CPU boards compatible with fluorescent backlights are also temporarily available.

 

ENHANCED CPU
As of June, Rice Lake will begin implementing a new CPU board in the 920i. This updated board (PN 186272, blue in color for easy identification) is compatible with firmware version 4.0 and above, and offers the following benefits:

– Updated power regulation for 5V and 3.3V supplies
– Merged analog, digital and chassis grounding to new industry standard
– Increased transient voltage protection
– Improved signal integrity
– Digital power conditioner for safe shutdown in unreliable power environments

The new CPU board is not compatible with fluorescent backlight displays, please use caution when ordering replacement parts.

rice lake 920i updates

Call the sales / service team at Central Carolina Scale (919) 776-7737 to obtain the 920i indicators and replacement parts that you need. For replacement parts, you will want to have indicator serial numbers handy along with the date that you purchased the indicator.

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and Digital Scales

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Food safety is extremely important to all of us. In today’s ultra competitive and fast paced world, it’s imperative that we have laws in place to ensure that the food we eat is as safe as possible.

We hope the article below helps you better understand information about the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Ultimately we think this information will highlight the ability of Rice Lake’s washdown products to meet your requirements of commercial processing industries. The FSMA info below not only informs producers about how to meet compliance laws, but demonstrates how Rice Lake scales can help prevent food contamination by the integrity of their construction and design.

For all producers, from the farm to the table, purchasing equipment that meets Sanitary Design Principles (SDP) is considered a mandatory preventative measure by the FDA. Our product offerings that are microbiologically cleanable, hermetically sealed and compatible with hostile environments can greatly assist you in adhering to these strict guidelines.

On January 4, 2011, President Obama signed the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) into law. The FSMA brought a much-needed focus of food safety laws into the food processing industry as well as to consumers, and the general public as a whole.

The signing of the FSMA was arguably the largest reform to food safety in the previous 70 years. According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the FSMA “aims to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it.” The key focus being prevention versus reaction in regards to food safety, from all aspects and stages of food—from the farm to the table.

The FSMA was spurred into action from an increase in foodborne illnesses in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report almost 1 in 6 Americans fall ill to food borne diseases each year. Foodborne illness became an issue of public health in the early 2000s, enabling the FDA to set higher preventative standards for food safety and elicit enforcement agencies to hold companies to these standards and contain any potential problems before they become a widespread risk of foodborne illness. To do this, the FDA under the FSMA can order companies to recall when needed.

The primary role of the FSMA is prevention. As noted by the FDA, “for the first time, FDA will have a legislative mandate to require comprehensive, science-based preventative controls across the food supply.” This legislative power ensures all U.S. companies that contribute to the food supply, no matter their size, are subject to the authority of the FDA and their preventative and responding agency.

Under the Prevention section of the FSMA, controls are given to the FDA for the following:

• Mandatory preventive controls for food facilities
• Mandatory produce safety standards
• Authority to prevent intentional contamination

These measures need to be qualified by scientific justifications by the FDA and are enforced by legislation. Under the mandatory preventative controls for food facilities is the addition of a preventative control plan that includes the following:

1 ) Evaluating the hazards that could affect food safety
2 ) Specifying what preventive steps, or controls, will be put in place to significantly minimize or prevent the hazards
3 ) Specifying how the facility will monitor these controls to ensure they are working
4 ) Maintaining routine records of the monitoring
5 ) Specifying what actions the facility will take to correct problems that arise.

Purchasing and using equipment that meets the Sanitary Design Principles (SDP) falls under these mandatory preventative measures as a control to prevent or minimize the possibility of foodborne contamination and disease. Continue reading →

Installing Load Cells on Suspended Hoppers or Tanks

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If you have a hopper or tank in your facility, one great way to accurately keep track of its contents is to weigh it. The ITCM Series modules utilize several Rice Lake Weighing Systems components (mounting hardware, load cells, junction box) to provide an unmatched level of performance in suspended tank and hopper weighing applications and mechanical scale conversions. The ITCM HE incorporates clevis and unique rod-end ball joint assemblies to reduce the overall length to less than half of the traditional tension cell mounts, while providing correct load alignment.

In addition, the load cell is completely electrically isolated from stray currents, which are a major cause of load cell failure. To complete the design, a grounding strap connects the two clevis assemblies to further provide safety to your load cells. As always, the installation should be planned by a qualified structural engineer. Each installation is unique, and this manual is meant to serve only as a general guideline for installation.

The ITCM Weigh Module provides excellent performance in suspended tank and hopper weighing applications. The ITCM reduces the overall assembly length to less than half of traditional tension cell hardware arrangements and offers correct alignment of the assembly. The combination of clevises and rod end ball joints isolates the load cell from extraneous forces detrimental to accurate system performance.

suspended hopper load cell mount for scales

The ITCM incorporates an insulating system which resists the flow of stray currents through the load cell. To insulate the load cells from the clevises, the clevises incorporate nylon insulating washers, and the rod end ball joints are lined with Teflon®. A parallel grounding strap connects the two clevis assemblies to provide an alternate path to ground, preventing load cell damage from electrical spikes or stray currents.

The ITCM modules feature RL20000 series S-beam load cells and are available in a variety of capacities, ranging from 100 to 20,000 pounds per module. A single ITCM module is often used to convert a mechanical scale to electronic operation, allowing for the added benefits of an electronic signal for process control or data collection. When an ITCM module is inserted into the steelyard rod, the mechanical beam or dial is still functional and can serve as a backup indicator.

General Installation Guidelines for Tension Cell Mounts

Depending on the weighing application, ITCM modules may be used in single or multiple load cell configurations. Single cell suspension configurations are relatively simple and work well in low capacity applications which have minimal disturbance from mixers, materials flow, or other agitators.

For best results, the vessel should be symmetrical with respect to the suspension point and used to weigh only self-leveling materials, such as liquids.

This allows the center of gravity to rise along the same vertical line each time and minimizes the tendency of the vessel to bind against the bumpers. The bumpers only serve to limit sway caused by accidental contact or other external forces. Erroneous scale readings result if the vessel contacts the bumper. Instead of bumpers, horizontal stay rods may be used to rigidly hold a vessel which has a tendency to sway sideways. Also, note that single cell systems must be restrained from rotating to prevent the suspension hardware from coming unscrewed.

single load cell tank hopper mount

Multiple cell suspension configurations commonly involve three or four load cells. One advantage to using three suspension points is that even weight distribution is inherent in this configuration. Support points should be equally rigid and deflect by the same amount when loaded. Otherwise, one or more of the cells may be overloaded.

For maximum stability, attach suspension rods at or above the filled vessel’s center of gravity. In situations where there is a potential for vibration, agitation, wind, or seismic activity, install bumpers or horizontal check rods to check the sideways motion of the vessel.

3 and 4 load cell hopper scale mount

We always like to mention that all suspended vessel weighing systems must be protected by safety check rods, chains, or other means to prevent damage or injury in the event of a failure.

If piping or conduit is required, make sure that it runs horizontally and verify that the distance from the vessel to the first pipe support is 20 to 30 times the pipe diameter. If necessary, incorporate flexible sections into the pipe. Suspension rods should be as long as possible to minimize the introduction of side forces.

Use only hermetically sealed load cells in washdown applications. Environmentally protected load cells are not suitable for such applications and will eventually be damaged. If tanks and surrounding equipment are frequently steam cleaned, or if the load cell might be subjected to direct washdown pressure, a protective shroud for the weighing assembly is recommended.

It is important that the S-beam load cells are properly oriented with respect to the load. The cable must emerge from the dead, or fixed, end of the cell. If it emerges from the live end, it will restrain the movement of the cell. This orientation must be followed with low capacity S beams.

correct way to use a s-beam load cell

Installing the ITCM suspended weighing modules

1. Select a suspension rod of the appropriate diameter. Use a safety factor of at least 4, based on the yield strength of the rod material. If vibration or shock loads are common, then a higher factor of safety should be considered. Commercially available threaded rod is made from a low yield strength material and will not provide an adequate safety factor in many applications. When determining the rod length, subtract the length of the ITCM module from the overall suspension length, making allowance for complete thread engagement in each clevis.
2. Making certain to provide adequate thread for the jam nut, cut the suspension rod near its center point and thread the ends that screw into the ITCM module.
3. Making sure to put the jam nut on first, assemble a clevis to the top and bottom rods. Screw the rod in sufficiently so that all threads of the clevis are engaged. Lock each clevis in place using the jam nuts. The clevises should be rotated 90° relative to each other.
4. Initially, the lined rod end ball joints are stiffer than regular rod end ball joints. This is normal. Verify that all threads of the load cell are engaged by the rod end ball joint, then lock in place with the jam nuts provided. Screw the rod end ball joints into the load cell. Align one so the flat face is in the same plane as the load cell. Turn the other to 90°.
5. Insert the rod end ball joint into the upper clevis. Place a nylon washer on each side of the rod end and insert the shoulder screw. Secure the shoulder screw with the lock nut provided. Repeat the procedure on the lower clevis.

Note: The 15K and 20K ITCM models use plain pins secured with washers and cotter pins, rather than threaded shoulder screws and lock nuts.
6. Remove the 1/4” machine screw and lock washer from each clevis. Fasten the bonding strap in place as shown in the illustration below. Make sure to connect the vessel or the support structure to a single system-wide ground.
7. The attachment points on the structure and vessel should be rigid to minimize deflection. Add gusset plates if necessary. Spherical washers help to minimize bending of the suspension rod due to structure or vessel deflection under load. They can also compensate for initial misalignment.
8. In multiple cell applications, adjust the length of each assembly to level the vessel. If the system consists of more than three cells, you must be sure the load is evenly distributed. This may be done by lifting or prying on the vessel at each support point, checking for even load, or by reading the dead load output from each cell. The variation in load among the cells should be no more than 20%.

Load Cell Wiring

1. Route the load cell cables so they will not be damaged or cut. Cables should not be routed near heat sources greater than 150 °F. Do not shorten any load cell cable. The load cell is temperature compensated with the supplied length of cable. Cutting the cable will affect temperature compensation. Coil excess cable and protect it so it will not be mechanically damaged or be sitting in water.
2. Provide a drip loop in all cables so that water or other liquids will not run directly down the cables onto either the load cells or the junction box. Attach load cell cable to the dead structure, not the vessel.
3. If conduit protection is necessary against mechanical or rodent damage to the load cell cables, use flexible conduit and conduit adapters at the load cells.
4. Connect cables for the load cells to the summing board in the junction box according to the load cell calibration certificate provided with the load cell and the labels on the terminal strips of the junction box.
5. For better performance, use positive and negative remote sense lines if the wiring run from the junction box to the indicator is longer than 25 feet.

Junction Box Connections, Adjustments & Calibration

• Refer to junction box manual for trimming details.
• Refer to indicator manual for system calibration details.

Scale Troubleshooting

If the system powers up and gives some type of stable digital readout that varies with the load on the system, the system problems are probably caused by factors other than the load cells. Often, load cells are blamed for a malfunctioning system and the majority of the time, the problem lies elsewhere.

Look for mechanical causes first. If the system can be calibrated but doesn’t return to zero, loses calibration, or demonstrates non-linearity or non-repeatability, see the following chart for possible causes and refer to the following list of checks.

No return to zero
Mechanical binding or debris in seals or under load cells; may have lost system calibration

Non-linearity
Thermal expansion or deflection under load causing binding or side load

Non-repeatability
Loose load cell mount; drifting caused by moisture, load cell overload or shock damage; mechanical binding

Lost calibration
Out of level or plumb; moisture problem; mechanical binding

Drifting readout
Moisture in junction box, cables, or load cell; mechanical binding

1. Check load cell mount for debris restricting load cell movement or debris between scale and structure.
2. Check that tank/vessel and mounts are plumb, level, and square at the critical areas.
3. Check piping and conduit for connections that restrict vessel movement.
4. If check rods are used, loosen connections to finger tight only for testing.
5. Check load cell cables for physical or water damage.
6. Check all electrical connections, especially in the junction box.

Contact the scale sales and service team at Central Carolina Scale today for hopper scale load cells and weigh bars. Nobody stocks more load cells in North Carolina than we do. We can put together a quote for the ideal system for your weighing needs. And when it comes to digital weight indicators, we can meet just about anyone’s requirements for specifications like analog output or a certain price range. We can also repair or calibrate an existing hopper scale. We feature many of the top scale manufacturer product lines to choose from. Call us at 919-776-7737 or complete the Request a Quote form on our website.

70 ft Truck Scales for Sale – What You Need to Look For When Buying.

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When it comes to buying a 70 foot long truck scale, there are about a half dozen key ingredients to think about. If you don’t look at these important factors it could lead to increased scale down time, increased costs and overall dissatisfaction with your scale purchase. Don’t let that happen, be sure to look at the following key features.

We sell several different brands of truck scales but the list below from Rice Lake sums up the key facts to consider when purchasing a truck scale for weighing your trucks with trailer.

70 ft truck scale

IS THE TRUCK SCALE BUILT TO WITHSTAND EXTREME USE?
Rice Lake SURVIVOR® series truck scales utilize up to 25 percent more steel than most competitive models and incorporate a longitudinal highway bridge design. The Survivor truck scale is designed to provide you with years of service. It’s important to purchase a scale that is built tough and not full of short cuts.

DOES THE TRUCK SCALE PROVIDE ULTRA LOAD CELL PROTECTION?
SURVIVOR truck scales are designed with the load cell pocket integrated into the steel structure of the scale. Rice Lake truck scales are some of the most reliable truck scales in the market today. The design of their Survivor truck scale is important and is a big part of why they enjoy one of the lowest load cell failure rates in the industry.

DOES THE SCALE OFFER BREATHING ROOM BELOW THE PLATFORM?
SURVIVOR steel deck truck scales feature an open-bottom design, providing unrestricted airflow to eliminate rust-causing moisture buildup. Important feature since the scale is going to be providing you weights for many years of service.

IS THE SCALE TOUGH, FROM START TO FINISH?
High-performance epoxy primer and specialized hard-coat alkyd enamel is applied to all visible steel surfaces for a car-like finish that protects the scale from the elements. Once again, this is important since your truck scale is going to be out in the elements for many years.

IS THE SCALE AVAILABLE IN CUSTOM SIZES?
SURVIVOR truck scales can be custom-built to fit almost any project specification and application requirement including installations on existing foundations or in unique locations with space limitations. One important thing to consider is the width of your truck scale. Many customers will choose a 10 foot wide scale bridge. This is ok but often for just a little more money, you can order a 11 foot wide scale and give your drivers a little extra room to maneuver across the scale.

IS YOUR SUPPLIER ABLE TO OFFER A COMPLETE SOLUTION FOR ANY APPLICATION?
Our supplier Rice Lake offers not only the scale, but the complete solution for your weighing application. The digital weight indicator is important since it will normally include the truck storage program. We can also provide you with a ticket printer and remote display so that your drivers can see their truck weight on the scale.

When you’re ready to proceed with your 70 ft Truck Scales for Sale, give us a call (919) 776-7737 or fill out the request a quote form on our website. Customers have trusted us to sell and install their new truck scale for over three decades.

Rice Lake Roughdeck Floor Scales Are Built in America & Designed For Industrial Environments

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Roughdeck floor scales manufactured by Rice Lake Weighing Systems in Wisconsin are simply the strongest and most accurate floor scales available. These Made in USA heavy-duty scales are built tough from start to finish and lives up to its name with a superior structural design which has proven so durable that each Roughdeck carries a full five-year warranty on the deck structure.

Roughdeck floor scale design separates itself from other floor scales by minimizing deck deflection and other forces that could damage load cells. This provides greater accuracy and repeatability with every weighment. These floor scales can also be made in any custom size, shape, or capacity to meet unique needs. Rice Lake uses an intense cleaning process to remove all foreign materials and residue before painting to ensure proper paint bonding. Thick coats of paint are applied adding to each scales industry leading durability.

Stainless steel decks are abrasive blasted for a clean finish suitable for corrosive, chemical or washed down environments. Included with all models the rugged stainless steel Toughseal junction boxes are specifically designed to protect sensitive circuitry. Adjustable stainless steel Surefoot support feet decrease extraneous forces on the load cells resulting in superior accuracy and repeatability.

All Roughdeck models have threaded holes in the deck. This allows for the installation of eyebolts for use when lifting the scale with chains or using a spreader bar during installation or when servicing. All assembled Roughdeck scales are delivered with the junction box corner trimmed which equalizes load cell output. Standard or customized; the Roughdeck series is available in low profile, stationary, and portable versions and offers component interchangeability and alternative construction materials to meet specific industrial requirements.

From basic shipping and receiving, to highly corrosive or washed down environments. Rice Lake has a Roughdeck to meet any need. From weighing pallets, steel coils, truck axles, and even people or animals – Rice Lake floor scales carry the durable reputation and strength of the Roughdeck name. Durability and performance to last a lifetime.

If you are looking for a reliable weighing solution that is built tough and designed to last, please give us a call at (919) 776-7737 or fill out the request a quote form on our website.

Are You Ready for the Latest Changes in Billable Weight for Shipping Carriers?

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Have you seen the latest pricing and billing strategies utilized by large shipping carriers like FedEx®, UPS® and DHL®? In order to more accurately reflect billable weight, these large freight carriers are now determining shipment pricing based on either dimensioning or actual weight — whichever is greater. If you’re shipping quite a few boxes each day, that can mean a lot of extra fees and/or extra time measuring boxes with a tape measure.

Fortunately, Rice Lake now offers the iDimension™ 100 which is the fastest solution for calculating NTEP Certified dimensions of boxes, flats, polybags, tubes and other irregular-shaped packages.

This out-of-the-box solution ensures freight compliance and deters revenue loss from miscalculated dimensions in retail, office and shipping environments. With the operator display directly attached and no PC interface required, iDimension 100 delivers instant dimensions with a quick and easy setup.

3d image for UPS box dimensions and weight

– Calculates NTEP Certified dimensions in 0.2 seconds
– No moving parts, no special handling
– Quick assembly—includes all necessary hardware and tools
– No PC interface required to set up, configure or manually enter dimensions into 3rd party software
– Interfaces with NTEP Certified shipping scales and select Rice Lake indicators via USB connection
– Take measurements to a new dimension with the iDimension 100.
– Simply open, assemble and display dimensions. Instantly.

By adding the iDimension 100 to your warehouse you can ultimately save money and time, leading to more productivity and profitability for your company. For more information, please visit our website or contact us a (919) 776-7737.

Rice Lake 720i Weight Indicator – Reports, Customers, Transactions

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The standard truck in/out functionality of the Rice Lake 720i is very effective. But with a little bit of programming, the 720i can do a lot more including customer or material reports. The standard truck in/out modes are used to handle multiple truck ID numbers and weights. Truck IDs can be up to 16 alphanumeric characters in length. The terminology for the truck storage includes:

Stored IDs
Let you keep a database of truck IDs and weigh-in weights in the indicator’s memory. The indicator can automatically store up to 1000 truck IDs and tares; or it can clear the information after printing a weigh-out ticket. For example, if the same truck seldom crosses the scale, it may not be practical to save its ID number and weigh-in weight. However, if that same truck crosses the scale many times each day, it’s more convenient to store the information in the indicator memory and recall it when needed. Stored IDs and weights are available in modes 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Keyed Tare
Allow you to manually enter the tare weight using the numeric keypad and the key. Keyed tares are available in modes 1, 3, and 5. To use keyed tares, an incoming truck must be empty at weigh-in, full at weigh-out.

Value Swapping
Ensures that the lower of two weight values associated with a particular ID number is used as the tare weight. For example, if a truck crosses the scale fully loaded at weigh-in, then unloads and crosses the scale empty at weigh-out, the indicator automatically assigns the lesser (empty truck) weight as the tare. Value swapping is available in modes 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Mode ……… Stored IDs ………… Keyed Tares ………… Value Swapping
MODE 1 …….. NO …………………… YES ……………………. YES
MODE 2 …….. NO ……………………. NO …………………….. YES
MODE 3 …….. YES …………………. YES ……………………. YES
MODE 4 …….. YES ………………….. NO …………………….. YES
MODE 5 …….. YES ………………… YES ……………………… NO
MODE 6 …….. YES …………………. NO ……………………… NO

WEIGH IN
In modes 1 and 2, the indicator erases truck ID numbers and tare weights from memory after the transaction. In modes 3–6, the truck ID and weigh-in weight values are saved after the weigh-out ticket has been processed.

The general weigh-in procedure is as follows:
1. The empty truck moves onto the scale for weigh-in.
2. Press the Weigh In softkey.
3. A prompt is shown to enter the truck ID (up to eight alphanumeric characters). Enter the ID, then press the Enter key.
4. Indicator generates the weigh-in ticket:
5. Truck leaves the scale.

WEIGH OUT
The general weigh-out procedure is as follows:
1. The loaded truck moves onto the scale for weigh-out.
2. If truck ID is known, press the Weigh Out softkey, enter the ID, and press the Enter key.
If ID is not known, press the Truck Regs softkey to view list of stored IDs. Scroll to the correct truck ID, note the ID number, then press the Cancel softkey to return to the weight display. From the weight display, press Weigh Out, key in the ID, then press the Enter key.
3. Indicator generates the weigh-out ticket. In modes 1 and 2, the ID is deleted once the weigh-out ticket is processed.

Single-Transaction Tare Weights and IDs
One-time transactions are supported in all modes that can be configured to use stored IDs (modes 3–6). This function allows one-time weighing of trucks without adding the truck ID and weigh-in weight to the permanent truck register. To use this function, press the Weigh In or Weigh Out softkey, then enter a truck ID containing a decimal point. IDs entered with a decimal point as part of the ID are erased from the truck register when the transaction is complete.

ADVANCED MODE
Now to the real point of the article! With some additional programming, the standard out of the box 720i weight controller can deliver a lot more for your business. With the Truck Storage “Advanced Mode” you can run reports based on several factors such as:

SUMMARY REPORTS
Report from beginning date to ending date specified by the operator. (DDMMYYY)
Report by material, customer or source

DAILY
Report of selected date entered by operator, can be all transactions or by a selected shift (1, 2 or 3)

DETAIL
All transactions in the database or pending transactions only

CODE LIST
List of stored items by material, customer or source Continue reading →

Weight Check in Emergency Medical Situations

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In emergency situations, often the response time is crucial. Many medical clinics are open almost always and they need scales that are designed to operate accurately and reliably. That’s why many hospitals and doctors offices choose Rice Lake Weighing Systems products. The Rice Lake brand of scales are designed to be reliable and dependable for years of service.

medical scale in-floor

Many of these clinics install in-floor Rice Lake medical floor scales to weigh inbound patients on an ambulance stretcher or wheelchair. Weighing patients upon arrival at an exceptional speed, the in-floor scale provides crucial patient weight information. The clinic can then treat emergency patients knowing exactly how much the patient weighs. The medical scale delivers reliable performance with a heavy-duty industrial design and a rigid, steel-channel frame, providing the durability and accuracy the department needs. Article (pdf file)

Lakeview Medical Center has been a staple in the Rice Lake, Wis. community since its inception in 1919. The hospital prides itself with modern facilities, innovative state-of-the art technology and a caring staff. All of these qualities come together at Lakeview Medical Center for the same common purpose: providing excellent patient care for the growing region. Lakeview Medical Center is truly a patient-centric facility, and when it comes to providing care, the staff does everything possible to make sure patients receive superior and compassionate treatment. To provide unmatched patient care, modernization at Lakeview Medical Center has been embraced. From keycard badges that open corridors, ensuring patient and visitor privacy and safety, to state-of-the-art technology and in-floor patient weighing platforms, Lakeview Medical Center exemplifies next-level healthcare.

Installed flush with the hospital floor, the Rice Lake medical floor scale allows ambulance stretchers to transition from floor to scale with smooth and natural movements, permitting paramedics to easily roll the stretchers on and off in swift motions. With a Rice Lake digital weight indicator wall-mounted near the scale, the patient and stretcher gross weight is easily read and charted by the paramedic.

“It’s very convenient. It is right by the doors as you walk in. We have a digital display board that tells us which room the patient should be brought to,” explains Lakeview Medical Center Emergency Services Supervisor, Matthew Ryba. After transferring the patient to their room, paramedics bring the stretcher back to the floor scale to calculate the patient’s net weight by subtracting the weight of the stretcher and any equipment on or attached to the stretcher upon arrival. Without wasting any movements or removing the patient from the stretcher, Emergency Department staff can record and use an accurate patient weight, delivering better care at a quicker pace—a valuable quality in the department. Life-saving drugs administered in emergency situations may need to be accurately dosed by the patient’s weight; making reliable weight a necessity.

The medical floor scale wasn’t always a Lakeview Medical Center staple. When the hospital was built in its new location in February 2011, the floor scale was added to the department. Its benefits—from streamlining paramedic movement to accessing patient information faster—are definitely noticed. “It’s quick; I wheel the patient on, get my weight, wheel them off and I don’t have to worry about it; they can keep moving,” Ryba explains, “it doesn’t delay patient care; and that’s an important thing—not having to wait. You roll it on, roll it off and come back. It’s right by the doors as you walk in to go to the patient’s room.”

Knowing that standing is difficult for some patients, staff at Lakeview Medical Center take advantage of the floor scale by weighing patients in their wheelchairs. “We can wheel them right onto the scale and take the gross weight, bring the patient to their bed and go back and weigh the wheelchair to determine the patient’s weight,” explains Ryba. Taking the extra step to improve patient comfort is not uncommon at Lakeview Medical Center. Patients in the Emergency Department can even be weighed without leaving their bed. “All of the beds in the Emergency Department are weighed with a full set of linen, and the weight is written on the bed. All you have to do is wheel the bed with the patient to the scale, subtract the bed weight and you have the patient’s net weight,” Ryba notes.

In addition to weighing patients in wheelchairs and pre-weighed beds, patients also receive the highest standard of comfort with private rooms within a facility designed with a healing and soothing environment. Providing the best possible care with a personal and compassionate experience is a goal Lakeview Medical Center takes to heart.

When not in use by patients, the Rice Lake medical floor scale has other duties. Emergency Services often use it to weigh their ambulance and emergency response equipment while loading the ambulance. “It’s very versatile to have a scale like this,” says Ryba. “For me to stand on the scale with my vehicle equipment, we can take the weights of our equipment to determine the gross vehicle weight of the ambulance [as we load it].” Some ambulance equipment weighs over 20 pounds, and the vehicle weight can add up quickly with Emergency Services personnel and in-transit patients. Weighing the equipment adds an extra level of safety when loading the ambulance.

The Emergency Department’s medical floor scale is not the only Rice Lake scale on site. Lakeview Medical Center also uses a scale in their Kidney Dialysis Unit. With 16 dialysis stations in the unit, each patient receives the best possible care with individualized comforts. To help determine the optimal course of treatment and follow-up care, patients are weighed on the medical scale before and after dialysis. Because patients on dialysis often gain excess fluid and weight between treatments, keeping accurate weight records is essential for proper care, making the Rice Lake scale an invaluable asset to the unit. With a pit-style installation similar to the Emergency Department floor scale, the Kidney Dialysis Unit medical scale is ideal for patients being transferred in wheelchairs.

If you’re looking for a medical scale that you can rely on, be sure to take a look at the Rice Lake lineup of medical scales. You can contact the sales team at Central Carolina Scale for product information and price quotes. To reach the sales department you can call (919) 776-7737 or complete the request for quote form on the website.

Advice For Keeping your Ticket & Thermal Printers in Good Shape

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Often customers who have printers connected to their scales will ask us about preventive maintenance for keeping their ticket and thermal printers in good working order.  Below are a few tips to consider.

There are a few things to consider when it comes to keeping your scale printer in good working order. Some of the key factors to consider include the type of print mechanism, volume of use, environment and paper stock used.

Ticket Printers
First type of printer we’ll look at is the ticket printer. You often see these connected to a truck scale digital weight indicator. These printers seem to have a more opened up layout which means that ticket printers will require more frequent cleaning than other types of printers.

A slide-in ticket printer, for example the Rice Lake TicketPress printer in an air-conditioned office may need cleaning a couple of times a year. That same printer in a more dusty environment such as a feed mill or gravel pit may be exposed to more airborne dust and need a quick cleaning each week. In those especially nasty environments, the operator should be trained to do minor cleaning at the start of each week.

scale printer maintentance for printhead

Dirt on the print head is easy for an operator to handle with a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol. You’ll know when it’s time for cleaning when you start to notice poor print quality.

The head shaft, drive gears and belts are more critical and require professional attention from the service team at Central Carolina Scale. Dirt buildup on these moving parts creates drag, causing extra current draw for the motor, which often leads to a burned out motor or drive transistors. A visual inspection by a professional scale technician during regular preventive maintenance visits is your best guide to prevention. Another great reason to setup a scale check with us on a regular basis.

Thermal Label Printers
This type of printer is usually more protected from airborne dust, but have special needs due to generally higher usage. In addition to the print head, the drive rollers, bearings and clutches sometimes require attention in high-volume applications.

Because they do not use a ribbon, print heads of direct thermal printers can easily pick up debris and should be cleaned regularly. Light streaks in the same place on each label are an indication of a dirty head. On the other hand, thermal transfer printers—with direct ribbon contact—stay relatively clean and can normally go three to four rolls of labels stock between cleanings.

If major adjustments are needed to maintain print quality, it should be your red flag to check bearings and rollers in high-volume label printers. Clean rollers first with alcohol, or even acetone, if they are badly gummed up. If you’re still adjusting frequently, disassemble the label drive mechanism and check the drive roller bearings, replacing if necessary.

Some label printers use felt disks for clutches. A few drops of SAE 5 light machine oil at each cleaning will keep these printers operating quietly.

Quick Maintenance
One of the easiest ways to cut down on required maintenance is to use a dust cover which you can obtain from Central Carolina Scale for most current printers. These heavy, clear plastic covers are custom-made for most popular printers. Not only do they protect from airborne dust during the hours when printers are idle, but some models can be left on during actual use for 24-hour dust protection.