There are many areas of activity where you have to use platform scales. This group of equipment differs significantly from any other scales in terms of dimensions, as well as the characteristics of the goods that can be weighed with their help. Devices have another name - commodity scales. Various enterprises produce electronic and mechanical devices. Consider their types, characteristics and features of operation.
Types of devices by measurement method
platform scales can be divided into three groups. These are mechanical devices, electronic, and also combined - electronic-mechanical. To choose one or another group, you need to know about the features of operation, the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.
Mechanical Equipment
The main working part in these mechanisms is the so-called measuring spring. The load installed on the working platform, with its weightacts on this spring.
The latter is stretched, and then two options are possible - either it will move the measuring scale, or the result will be shown on the arrow moving along the fixed scale.
To set industrial scales platform mechanical "to zero", you need to turn a special wheel for adjustment. You can find it in many models most often at the bottom of the mechanism. The accuracy is not very high. The division price in most cases is 1 kg. Very rarely, models allow you to weigh loads with an accuracy of 500 gr.
These devices are popular due to their ease of use. They also do not need regular maintenance - no need to change batteries or accumulators. The devices are able to work properly under high loads. A striking example is industrial platform scales, weighing up to 2000 kg of cargo. They can be found in trading companies, wholesale warehouses and other organizations. Due to the fact that the scale mechanism is almost eternal, it has long been chosen by scrap metal receivers.
One advantage is the cost. Since there are no a number of different options that are inherent only to electronic models, mechanical scales are cheaper by several orders of magnitude. That's a big plus.
Electronic equipment
Electronic platform scales are already more modern solutions, which have found application in trade enterprises. They can be found in mostsupermarkets and smaller stores. But there are also industrial models capable of weighing heavy loads.
Weighing results will be immediately displayed on the screen. The division price can vary from 0.1 to 0.5 kg, depending on the model. As for the principles of operation incorporated in a particular model, it depends on the specific manufacturer and purpose of the scales.
Working principle
Platform electronic scales work on the basis of one of two principles. In the first case, two metal discs are used. They work as an electrical capacitor. After placing the load on the working platform under the influence of this load, the plates move apart. There is a change in the electric charge between the two plates, and it determines the measurement results displayed on the display.
The design feature is that there are almost no mechanical parts and systems. This greatly improves durability as well as accuracy and reliability.
The second principle involves the use of a voltage sensor. This sensor is a thin metal wire through which an electric current passes. Due to the load on the platform, this sensor is stretched, which means that the electrical signal that passes through it changes. The computer, using certain algorithms, calculates the weight and displays it on the display.
If platform scales, operating on the basis of the first principle of operation, have a minimumthe number of mechanical parts, then there are none at all. All weight measurements are performed electronically only.
Batteries are used to operate small electronic scales. For models with a large "carrying capacity" batteries and stationary power supplies are used.
Types of devices by design and installation method
Industrial scales, luggage scales, as well as commodity and postal scales are classified into floor, desktop, stationary, mobile and built-in.
The choice of a suitable model and brand depends on what a particular company does, what products will most often be weighed, what should be the accuracy of the results, load capacity and throughput.
The choice also depends on how much buyers are willing to pay for platform scales. The price for a model on strain gauges with a load capacity of 2000 kg is from 30,000 rubles. This price does not include the price of installation work, setup and equipment support costs.
Platform electronic equipment
Standard models are an ordinary platform of rectangular or square shape. On the surface of this platform, a load must be placed that must be weighed.
Structurally, these devices represent a solid platform with four strain gauges. These scales platform floor have screw support which give the chance of adjustment. Solid steel is used as the material for the production of these platforms.
Ramp models
This equipment is different from stationary solutions. The platform is equipped with special ramps, which can be accessed by forklifts and other warehouse equipment. These are mainly scales industrial and warehouse. Devices of this level are extremely easy to use. They are easy to transport and can be easily moved to any other place.
Options
Almost any model of scales is equipped with a printer for printing checks and documents for cargo. These devices can operate in automatic mode, which makes it possible to almost completely eliminate manual human labor. Thus, platform scales greatly simplify the process of accounting for materials. The equipment is reliably protected from dust and dirt. This ensures long service life.
So, we found out the types of scales and their principle of operation.
