Checkweighing scales are common in the industrial and commercial world. They are used to weigh everything from produce to parcels and packages. As their name suggests, checkweighing scales are designed to check that an item weighs what it is supposed to within a certain tolerance.
These scales come in various shapes and sizes, depending on their intended use. For example, a platform scale is ideal for weighing parcels.
If you’re considering investing in a checkweighing scale for your business or are curious about how these devices work, read this comprehensive guide to learn about these scales.
What Is a Checkweighing Scale?
Checkweighers have multiple industrial applications. The primary purpose of these scales is to ensure a package has the correct weight before it is forwarded down the supply chain process.
For instance, these scales are used to weigh boxes. The operator would load the packed box on the scale to confirm it weighs what it should. It ensures that the package contains all the parts or components of the product.
Depending on the nature of the industry, weighing is done in-motion and static modes. The operator weighs the boxes as they travel down a roller conveyor or a conveyor belt.
Checkweighing scales are imperative for quality control since they help determine if a product is the correct weight. These scales can also be used to track the weight of a product over time to ensure consistency.
For instance, operators in different industries use these scales to determine if they’ve filled a package up to its required weight. In doing so, they’ll set up a target weight. Then, they start filling the box and watch the display on the scale as it changes.
When the display reaches the target weight, they stop filling the box or container. Since the display on a checkweigher is highly accurate, this process ensures equal and uniform filling each time.
Packages must conform to shipping weights and dimensions to be transported by different means. This is particularly important for airfreight, where weight restrictions are stricter.
Shippers use checkweighing scales to ensure the products they send out meet these weight requirements.
Industrial Applications of a Checkweighing Scales
Checkweighers are used in different industries for a wide range of purposes. Here are the applications of checkweighing scales.
Food and Beverage Industry
The food and beverage industry has multiple regulatory compliance issues to adhere to. For instance, there are stringent rules regarding the quantity of ingredients used in food products.
Checkweighing scales help food manufacturers comply with these regulations by automatically checking the weight of each ingredient that goes into a product. This ensures that only the correct amount of each ingredient is used, which helps maintain the quality of the food product.
In addition, checkweighing scales can also be used to check the weight of finished products. Weighing packaged products is vital for ensuring that the product meets the required specifications.
Manufacturing Sector
For products to be eligible for trade, they must meet specific standards. The manufacturing sector uses checkweighing scales to ensure that the products they send out meet these standards.
If a product does not meet the required weight, it will be rejected. Therefore, checkweighing scales help manufacturers to avoid wastage and keep their businesses running smoothly.
Pharmaceutical Industry
The pharmaceutical industry is another industry that has to deal with strict regulations. For example, the FDA limits the amount of variation in dosage weights.
This means that pharmaceutical companies must be able to weigh their products accurately to stay within limits set by the FDA. Therefore, checkweighers are used in this industry for quality control purposes.
Specific Benefits of Checkweighing Scales
All industries have specific regulations and quality control guidelines that ensure the safety of their product. That’s why checkweighing scales are a necessity.
They are used to ensure the packages and containers are loaded with the same amount or volume of material every single time.
Here are some of the benefits of these scales:
Identify Under- or Over-Filled Packages
A checkweighing scale can help ensure that every product meets the correct weight specifications. In addition, it can help avoid under- or over-filled packages, which can cause issues further down the line.
In particular, if products are underweight, this could result in customers not receiving the total value for their money. On the other hand, if products are overweight, the company will incur extra costs.
Product Classification
Sometimes, products have to be classified according to their weight grades. For example, different grades of meat may have to be packed separately.
A checkweigher helps classify products based on their weight. Besides the food industry, it also has applications in agriculture, where distributors have to organize feed bags based on weight.
Fulfill FDA Requirements
The FDA has strict regulations surrounding food production. One of the requirements is that all products must be labeled with their correct weight. Checkweighing scales help fulfill this requirement by providing an accurate weight reading for each product.
Features to Look for in a Checkweighing Scale
If you’re in the market for a checkweighing scale, there are a few features you’ll want to look out for to ensure that you’re getting the best possible scale for your needs. Here are four essential components to consider when choosing a checkweighing scale:
Capacity and Readability
The capacity of a scale is the maximum weight it can accurately weigh. On the other hand, readability refers to the smallest increment that the scale can measure.
When choosing a checkweigher, you’ll want to ensure that it has a capacity that meets your needs and readability suitable for the items you’ll be weighing.
Suppose you need to weigh small items ranging from 0.1 to 100 grams. In that case, you’ll want a checkweighing scale with 0.1-gram readability.
Moreover, the scale should also have a high-visibility display so you can read it in any environment. For example, the American Scale ZQ375 checkweigher has a visible display allowing you to read the readings in any lighting condition. Plus, the nine segment digits are easily read even from a distance.
It’s also available in different sizes with different capacities ranging from 6lb to 500lbs (3kg to 200kg). Since the scale is legal for trade, you can use it in industrial applications or commercial settings.
Tare Function
The tare function is an essential feature of any checkweighing scale. It allows you to account for the container’s weight or packaging when an item is being weighed.
For example, suppose you’re checking the weight of a packaged product. The tare function will allow you to weigh the product without the weight of the packaging being included in the final weight.
Auto-Off Function
The auto-off function is a power-saving feature that turns the scale off when it’s not in use. This feature is handy if you’re using battery-powered scales.
An auto-off function will help to ensure that your batteries don’t run out of power while the scale is not in use.
Weight Display
The weight display is the part of the scale where the weight of an item being weighed is displayed. When choosing a checkweigher, you’ll want to ensure that the weight display is large and easy to read.
The indicator should also be easy to use. For instance, the American Scale ZK830 scale has a six-key indicator, which is intuitive enough for users with any expertise level.
Checkweighing and Portion Scales: To Rent or Buy?
If you’re stuck trying to decide whether to buy or rent your next checkweighing scale, you’re in the right place. Here’s a closer look at some key factors to consider before making your decision.
- Cost: Checkweighing scales can be expensive, so cost is often a significant consideration when deciding whether to buy or rent. If you’re on a tight budget, rent a scale.
- Usage: How often will you need to use the checkweighing and portion scale? If you only need it occasionally, renting may make more sense than buying. On the other hand, buying may be the better option in the long run if you’ll be using it frequently.
- Project Length: Renting may be the way to go if you’re working on a short-term project. However, buying is a better investment if you’re planning on using the checkweighing and portion scale for an extended period.
- Project Needs: If you need a custom scale, buying may be your only option since most companies don’t rent out custom scales. Meanwhile, if your project does not have any specialized needs, you can rent a scale designed for standard applications.
Buy or Rent a Checkweighing Scale
Once you’ve selected the best checkweighing scale for your needs, you must also get it calibrated monthly or annually, depending on the frequency of use. What if the same company could fulfill your purchase and calibration needs?With a three-decade-long reputation and expertise, American Scale is the top-notch provider of checkweighing scales for all businesses. Buy or rent scales from us to ensure maximum quality and durability. Call us today to learn about our calibration services and see our checkweigher lineup.
