Scale Accessory Basics
Accessories for your scale is an aspect that can change the dynamic of your weighing operation for the better. Typically when shopping for an industrial scale, one is already greeted with a plethora of base, deck, and load cell (analog or electronic load cells) options. When considering accessories for your scale, the main thing to remember is looking at your operation and knowing what you will actually need and if you will put the new equipment to good use. These aforementioned factors contribute to other things like calibration, and how well the scale indicator will connect. When you’re in the market to purchase an industrial scale for your operation, there are a number of different accessories that can really help your business to increase efficiency, speed and overall safety. This article will cover the accessories that you will most likely come across when considering your options.
WEIGHT INDICATORS
The first accessory that you will want to look at is a weight indicator. Weight indicators are an essential accessory for viewing the weight value when taking measurements. In harsh environments, your indicator and junction box are usually sealed to keep moisture from compromising it. Some are stainless steel for a washdown environment. This also factors in for your scale calibration. When taking weight measurements, an indicator will display your weight as well as offer other features. Depending on your operation, setup will determine what type of indicator you will want to consider. For example, if you have your scale located in a heavy washdown area, then you will want to consider an indicator with a high IP rating (IP65) which can withstand extreme environmental changes. Weight indicators have a lot of options as well. Not just for displaying the weight, but also can be optioned with features such as process control and the ability to communicate wirelessly with other additions. A good weight indicator will help save time and expedite weight measurements, while carefully organizing critical weighing information. A good scale and indicator combination will change the way your operation works for the better. Be sure to check out our indicators over at our products page.
REMOTE DISPLAYS
Remote displays or scoreboard make viewing information much easier from a distance. You may have a floor scale placed in a meat packing plant but are unable to place the display next to the scale. That is where a remote display comes in. You now have versatility in that you can place the display in a more convenient area. Having a remote display will save time and effort for your operation when space limitations force you to relocate your display. A remote display makes the weighing process a lot quicker and adds an extra element of safety for those operating the scale by reducing the back and forth of the weighing process.
TICKET PRINTERS
Ticket printers are a great tool for scales due to offering the option to have a printed record of your weight measurement. Ticket printers allow users to print out readings at the scale itself. Some Active Scale ticket printers easily load paper, prevent paper jams, and feature an easily-accessible cabinet allowing the truck driver to simply reach down from their truck to retrieve their ticket. Coupling a good scale, indicator, and ticket printer will help your operation run a lot smoother and efficiently.
GUIDE RAILS
When operating a vehicle scale, having guide rails is a great preventative measure to take to ensure the vehicle is safely on the scale platform. Guide rails are meant to direct vehicle traffic and prevent drive-offs on elevated platforms. These usually are welded to a steel deck. They are usually reserved for heavy duty weighing applications like truck scales. Typically guide rails will be of a rugged make and are bolted on so they will break away after being run into or struck to prevent hardware deformation. Guide rails are essential to vehicle scale safety. Knowing which style of guide rail is best for you will depend on how your vehicle scale is set up.
UNATTENDED VEHICLE SCALE WEIGHING
With the advancement of technology, there is a push for things to be more autonomous. With scale operations, having a well set up operation designed to be unmanned will remove a lot of extra work and add some efficiency. With some instrumentation designed with a weather-proof enclosure, internal heater, thermal printer, and a rain hood, an unmanned weighing terminal performs well in all weather conditions. Terminals are able to be optioned with additional peripherals like, RFID readers, credit card collector, and money collectors can be added for convenience.
FINAL WORDS
Scale accessories can have a positive effect on the operations. The accessories listed above can help boost your operation’s efficiency as well as increasing the safety and all around flexibility of your operation. Be sure to check out our accessories section on our products page to place an order or to see what is offered.
At American Scale we strive to bring you informed and useful content on all things scale systems related, including products from the top scale manufacturers. Be sure to check out our truck scale articles about truck scale foundation or how much do truck scales cost. We even have a guide to warranties. To learn more about bench scales, it would be good to check out our other articles such as “Bench Scale Basics'' and “How Much Does A Bench Scale Cost?”. These articles will help with the basics of bench scale ownership. Also, take a look at our“Common Problems With Bench Scales'', to help prolong the lifespan on your scale.