For more than 20 years, American Scale has provided the North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia regions with industry-leading scale technologies. We offer scale sales, service, calibration and more to key market areas, including Charlotte, Greensboro, the greater Raleigh-Durham, Columbia, Richmond, Blacksburg, and others throughout the Southeastern United States. American Scale recognizes the importance of accurate scales to safe, efficient and profitable operations. Experts at American Scale have got you covered, whether your truck scale need electronic load cells or hydraulic load cells, analog systems or digital systems, above ground or pit-style, or many of the other options on the market. We can also help you convert a traditional analog truck scale system to a digital truck scale system with a digital diagnostic junction box.
Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ iQUBE² Digital Diagnostic Junction Box performs the same diagnostic functions as a truck scale that uses a digital load cell, but at a more affordable price. All truck scales perform an analog-to-digital conversion to display weight as a digital readout. The primary difference between current digital truck scale designs is where that conversion takes place: At the load cell or junction box. Some truck scales use an analog-to-digital, or simply “digital,” load cell. Diagnostic activity then takes place at the load cell. However, with analog load cells and an iQUBE², a truck scale can conduct diagnostic functions at the junction box. iQUBE² performs analog-to-digital conversion inside the junction box, meaning sensitive electronic components are less susceptible to damage from vibration and moisture.
Superior Load Cell Diagnostics with iQUBE²
iQUBE² offers the same load cell diagnostics as a truck scale using a digital load cell, but for a fraction of the cost. This advanced junction box runs diagnostics for failed cells, weighing errors and system health.
If a load cell does not return to zero, it may be due to scale binding or damage to the load cell. Unfortunately, just one defective load cell can uproot the entire system. Rice Lake’s iQUBE² junction box measures the signal of each individual load cell, enabling it to detect problems and pinpoint the area before it becomes a concern.
When a load cell tolerance is exceeded and a scale is nonlinear, typically the operator won’t notice until an inventory shortage has already occurred. However, with iQUBE², linearity is verified by monitoring load cell tolerances, meaning inventory will be full and accurate.
Instability, or noise, is a common scale system problem triggered by deteriorating resistance to ground. Noise is often confused with environmental factors such as wind or vibration. Just one faulty load cell can cause system instability, which is why iQUBE² monitors individual load cells as well as overall system health.
Cell Emulation
With cell emulation, iQUBE² is capable of calculating what the weight of a failed load cell should be based on comparisons to functioning load cells. iQUBE² ensures your scale can continue weighing temporarily even after a load cell failure. This can mean the difference between continuing an efficient process and having to shut down the plant early.
Rice Lake’s iQUBE² runs the same sophisticated diagnostics as a truck scale using a digital load cell. Because analog-to-digital conversion occurs at the junction box instead of the load cell, it is less likely to be damaged by circuitry. Combined with routine testing for zero return, linearity, noise and drift, this makes iQUBE² a superior junction box.
After installing iQUBE², consider upgrading the rest of your equipment as well. American Scale offers complex automation and engineering design, created by computer programmers and software specialists with years of industry and technical experience. From truck scale kiosks to batching programs and integrated inventory systems, American Scale has everything you need to completely remodel your truck scale system.