How to Choose a Scale for Use in Harsh Industrial Environments?
In many industries, precise mass measurement must be performed in conditions far from laboratory conditions. Vibrations, fluctuating temperatures, high humidity and dust are everyday occurrences in production halls, warehouses, chemical plants and food processing facilities. To ensure reliable results and continuous operation, industrial scales must be selected for the environment in which they will be used.
What factors affect measurement in difficult conditions? What technical parameters should be taken into account? And which RADWAG solutions have been designed specifically for such applications?
Environmental Factors Affecting Measurement Accuracy
1. Vibrations and shocks
Vibrations generated by production machinery, conveyors or forklift movement can significantly interfere with the stability of the scale readings. In such conditions, the following are important:
· Rapid measurement stabilisation
· Advanced vibration filtration algorithms
· Robust, rigid mechanical construction.
2. Temperature
Changes in ambient temperature and the temperature of the weighed goods can cause mechanical components to expand and affect strain gauge sensors. Industrial scales should feature:
· Temperature compensation
· Stable readings across a wide operating temperature range
· Electronics resistant to thermal conditions.
3. Moisture and contact with liquids
High humidity, cleaning of workstations and accidental splashes are common occurrences in the food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Lack of adequate protection can lead to malfunctions or measurement errors.
4. Dust and contamination
Industrial dust (e.g. flour, cement, chemical powders) can get inside the device and cause mechanical and electronic damage. In such conditions, it is essential that the housing is sealed and that the scales are easy to keep clean.
Parameters Determining the Choice of Industrial Scales
1. IP protection rating
One of the most important parameters is the IP protection rating:
· IP65 – protection against dust and water jets
· IP67 – resistance to short-term immersion
· IP68 – full protection during prolonged contact with water.
The more difficult the environmental conditions, the higher the degree of protection the weighing terminal and platform should have.
2. Stability and repeatability
In industrial conditions, it is not only accuracy that counts, but also the repeatability of results. The scale should quickly achieve a stable result, even on unstable ground or with variable loads.
3. Calibration and verification
In many industries (trade, pharmaceuticals, ISO-compliant manufacturing), the following are essential:
· The possibility of internal or external calibration
· Availability of verified versions
· Easy periodic verification of measurement accuracy.
4. Design and materials
Stainless steel, smooth surfaces, chemical resistance and ergonomic design contribute to both the durability of the device and the comfort of the operator’s daily work.
RADWAG Solutions for Harsh Environments
1. Weighing terminals
RADWAG terminals are versatile and durable solutions designed for industrial environments. They feature:
· Robust housing (versions with increased tightness available)
· Vibration resistance
· Extensive configuration and integration options with production systems
· Compatibility with various types of platforms and sensors.
This makes them suitable for both simple warehouse applications and advanced technological lines.
2. High IP class weighing platforms
RADWAG offers weighing platforms with a protection rating of up to IP68, designed for use in humid, dusty or aggressive environments. Their advantages include:
· Fully sealed construction
· Resistance to pressure washing
· High mechanical durability
· Ability to operate in the food and chemical industries.
3. Complete weighing sets
The combination of a weighing terminal with a suitably selected platform allows you to create a weighing system perfectly suited to a specific application – from simple weighing to advanced process control.
Summary
Selecting a scale for use in harsh industrial environments requires consideration of many factors: environmental, technical and formal. Vibrations, humidity or dust do not have to adversely affect measurement accuracy. RADWAG solutions, such as weighing terminals or platforms with a high IP protection rating, have been designed for reliable operation where standard scales fail.
