New Trends in Weighing Technology

In the world of weighing technology, fierce competition results in greater price pressure. At the same time, market trends are dictated by requirements of customers who seek genuine innovation, quality and optimum reliability. This has led to new trends in weighing technology.

Improved production is not only the benefit demanded by users. The new developments result in optimized process chains, from supply to export.

Companies who understand these latest trends and react in good time can remain competitive in the future. HBM Test and Measurement provides right solutions that help customers to stay fit for the future.

New Weighing Technology Trends

The following are the new trends in weighing technology:

• Close to the customer
• High precision
• More extensive measuring ranges
• Satisfying regional standards.

Close to the Customer

Suppliers are one of the key components of a successful supply chain. Delivery within the stipulated time and reliability are equally important as international service. With international branch offices, agencies and a worldwide sales network, HBM is always within the reach of its customers.

The company has competent contacts available all across the globe. For instance, Bühler, a supplier of machines, systems and services for basic food processing, utilizes HBM load cells in its equipment to achieve accurate proportioning and weighing. This is possible not only because of the quality of the load cells, but also the ability of HBM to fulfill the stringent standards demanded by the supply chain of Bühler (figure 1).

Figure 1. Automatic hopper scales from Bühler for in-plant process control. Image credit: Hottinger Baldwin Messtechnik GmbH

With plants in the USA, Germany, and China, HBM can promptly deliver load cells throughout the world and according to specific customer requirements.

Figure 2. The RTN ring-torsion load cell from HBM is available in an exceptionally large range of maximum capacities from 1 to 470 t. Image credit: Hottinger Baldwin Messtechnik GmbH

High Precision

The use of high-precision weighing technology enables companies to enhance the quality of their products and save materials, time and associated costs by rapidly filling or packaging their products with greater accuracy.

High precision is the new trend in weighing technology. Investment is made in research and development with respect to new sensor designs and strain gauge materials. Many load cells provided by HBM are capable of ensuring an accuracy class of C6.

A machine that produces a single food product features several components, including as high as 60 load cells. Every component must conform to hygiene guidelines in order maintain cleanliness throughout the plant.

Hygienic load cells from HBM provide clean, high-precision weighing by conforming to these requirements. The PW27 load cell from HBM (figure 3) has received the European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG) certification for its hygiene-compliant design. The PW27 helps customers to save sizeable money by minimizing downtime. Moreover, the HBM load cells facilitate cleaning, which, in turn, saves a lot of money in the long term, especially for food producers.

Figure 3. The PW27 hygienic load cell is used in the new, ultra-clean filling machine for cooled, liquid foodstuffs made by SERAC. Image credit: Hottinger Baldwin Messtechnik GmbH

More Extensive Measuring Ranges

Load cells with wide measuring ranges can cover a broader field of applications thus enabling companies to save investment costs. The new hermetically encapsulated PW29 single point load cell from HBM is an additional solution offered by the company for high maximum capacity ranges.

HBM Weighing technology is being utilized by CEMEX Austria for its new binding material silo at its factory in Bad Fischau. CEMEX ensures optimal dispensing through the use of RTN load cells from HBM.

Satisfying Regional Standards

The ability to reach customers all across the globe without any problem is the basis for successful international sales.

Compliance of the integrated weighing technology with applicable standards in the destination nation is also mandatory. The load cells offered by HBM meet the specifications outlined in regional standards such as GOS, OIM, and NTEP. Furthermore, products to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres must comply with the European ATEX directive and the international IECEx standard.

HBM products have the advantages of double certification of both ATEX directive and IECEx standard, which, in turn, increases user benefits.

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) directives specify EMC limit values for weighing systems utilized in filling machines or packing machines for foodstuffs. For over two decades, HBM has been testing its all weighing technology products in its ISO/IEC 17025-accredited EMC laboratory, covering both interference immunity and emission.

All HBM products have a unique shielding design and are tested according to the optimum EMC requirements specified by the standard (figure 4).

Figure 4. As well as its own EMC laboratory, HBM also uses external laboratories, such as the EMC laboratory of the VDE Testing and Certification Institute in Offenbach. Image credit: Hottinger Baldwin Messtechnik GmbH

It is easy to weigh, batch and pack potentially explosive materials using certified weighing technology from HBM.

Figure 5. Weigh, batch and fill potentially explosive substances without difficulty – with certified weighing technology from HBM (Photo: Copyright by Jonutis/Shutterstockcom).

New Products from HBM

PWSE, PW29 and PW15PH are the new single point load cells from HBM that deliver ground-breaking solutions for applications under tough conditions. They are all made of stainless steel and demonstrate several exotic properties. Fitted with an advanced connector system, these new single point load cells are engineered for ultra-precise measurements and high maximum capacities.

The following are the key specifications of the PWSE (figure 6):

• Degree of protection: IP67
• Platform size: 600 x 800 mm
• Maximum capacity: 100–750 kg.

Figure 6. The robust PWSE single point load cell in a belt weigher for bulk weighing (Photo: © Schenck Process GmbH).

The following are the key specifications of the PW29 (figure 7):

• Degree of protection: IP68/IP69K
• Accuracy class: C3MR
• Platform size: 800 x 800 mm.

Figure 7. The PW29. Image credit: Hottinger Baldwin Messtechnik GmbH

The following are the key specifications of the PW15PH (figure 8):

• Degree of protection: IP68/IP69K
• Accuracy class: C3MR
• Platform size: 500 x 400 mm
• Maximum capacity: 10 to 100 kg.

Figure 8. The PW15PH. Image credit: Hottinger Baldwin Messtechnik GmbH

A comparison of hermetically encapsulated single point load cells is shown in the following table:

HBM offers weighing electronics with many different interfaces, namely Ethernet, Profibus DP, CAN, or RS484.

Nevertheless, it was not possible earlier to link digital weighing technology to the CC-Link bus, which was the recognized Asian standard. HBM has closed this loophole by developing the CC-Link Gateway, which facilitates the integration of digital HBM weighing technology with CANopen interfaces into applications automated with PLCs from Mitsubishi. This enables rapid and high-precision filling processes with real-time process control through the load cell.

Figure 9. CC-Link Gateway. Image credit: Hottinger Baldwin Messtechnik GmbH

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by HBM, Inc.

For more information on this source, please visit HBM, Inc.