Weighing processes are vital in warehouses and manufacturing units. Precise weighing reduces raw material losses and rework, boosting productivity, efficiency and profitability.
For instance, the food and beverage industry needs precision weighing of ingredients for recipes. Weighing by Difference is the preferred choice for these applications. However, if contamination concerns are low and speed is essential, Direct Weighing may be more appropriate.
Accuracy
The accuracy of a weighing scale is essential to the success of both businesses and consumers. Inaccurate measurements can lead to a loss in revenue for the business or an unfair price for the consumer. In order to ensure the accuracy of a weighing system, it is important to take into account a number of mechanical and environmental factors.
For example, the weighing system should be located in an area with minimal exposure to vibrations or temperature fluctuations that can cause inaccurate readings. Additionally, it is important to choose a weighing system with load cells that have a low non-linearity and Hysteresis error specification.
Moisture can also affect the accuracy of a weighing system by wicking into load cell signal lines from moisture in the air or from unused junction box holes. For this reason, it is important to use waterproof load cells and plug any unused junction box holes. Finally, a weighing system’s calibration must be performed regularly to ensure its accuracy.
Efficiency
Achieving efficiency in a weighing process is more than just hitting the right numbers. It’s about saving money and reducing waste. This means using less raw materials and lowering production costs. It also helps companies meet quality standards and comply with regulations.
Process weighing is the backbone of many industrial processes and can be improved through data-driven insights and optimisation best practices. For example, integrating your weighing equipment into other systems can improve automation and efficiency. This can help prevent bottlenecks in the production process and reduce downtime.
Another way to improve efficiency is to optimise the environment where weighing equipment is used. For example, ensuring that weighing scales are within reach and at the ideal height can reduce operator fatigue and encourage speedy weighing. It can also reduce the risk of contamination. Moreover, implementing regular maintenance and calibration can also boost efficiency. This can help to ensure that your weighing system is accurate and reliable.
Product quality
Precise weighing is essential for ensuring product quality and consistency, particularly in food processing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and other industries that require stringent tolerances. This is because even a small deviation in weight can result in sub-standard products, costly fines and loss of customer loyalty.
In addition to ensuring that the right amount of ingredients are used, precise weighing is also important for managing inventory levels and reducing waste. This is because it allows businesses to accurately track their product supplies, avoiding overstock and stockouts.
For example, in a packaging operation, quality control weighing systems can be set up to detect when a package is out of the required range by kicking it off a conveyor belt or setting off an alarm. This reduces the amount of defective product that goes through reworking processes, saving valuable time and resources. The accuracy of a weighing process depends on selecting the best scales for the job, following standard operating procedures and routine calibration and maintenance.
Inventory management
Weighing plays a key role in tracking inventory, whether it’s dispensing samples to chemists or weighing warehouse stock. However, even the best equipment can only deliver accurate results when there are reliable processes in place to support it.
Typical process weighing applications include level or inventory weighing (knowing how full or empty a storage vessel is), bag or drum filling and dispensing, blending multiple ingredients simultaneously, and measuring mass flow. This type of weighing often involves ignoring plant mechanical noise and requires an indicator with enough resolution to indicate accuracy in real time.
Deviations in the weight of products can suggest missing or damaged items and reduce inventory accuracy. Ideally, your sample management software should automatically record weighed amounts and update inventory instantly. This helps to reduce manual data entry and human error. Having an efficient system in place can help you meet your production goals without compromising quality. Weighing automation also simplifies onboarding for new staff, with intuitive interfaces that reduce the traditional learning curve.