Revolutionized Technology of Onboard Scale Systems

Electronic onboard scales were unveiled about 3 decades ago to address the need for efficient measurement of truck load weights when platform scales were not available. In the passage of time and with constantly evolving technology, onboard scale systems were revolutionized by some of the brightest minds in the heavy-duty weigh scale industry.

The load cells on electronic onboard scales were revamped while specialty load cells were invented for center hangers, single points, fifth wheels and various other types of suspensions. But that's just the tip of the iceberg on how onboard scales have progressed over the years. Below we go into greater detail about the technological developments and overall evolution of onboard scales.

Evolution of Onboard Scales

One of the most recent developments on today's onboard scales is the double shear beam load cell. This advancement transformed into an industry standard in timber and other similar industries. Strain gauge based air sensors were developed and augmented for an elevating number of air ride suspensions.

Vehicles with hydraulic lift cylinders are not left in the dark for we also now have hydraulic sensors. In fact, the market offers onboard scales for spring, air and mixed suspensions. It now becomes a matter of preference and not merely the availability of choice.

Advantages of Advanced Onboard Scale Systems

Aside from the convenience, onboard scales can significant increase productivity and operational efficiency. Having an onboard scale means that you do not have to always drive to the loading area to rework your load. Given that, you may increase the numbers of load delivered or hauled in a day.

Most onboard scales, like those produced by Walz Onboard, can guarantee the accuracy of the measurements made the first time, saving time as energy is ensuring that you are complying with the weight requirements and also to commensurately price the services you render. Overweight fines will decrease significantly if not completely eradicated from your monthly dues so as to maximize the profit.

Other Benefits of Having an Onboard Scale

There are many industries that are powered by onboard scales today. As mentioned before, the trucking industry is one that reaps its benefits. But the mining industry is also becoming more efficient in terms of measuring precious materials like gold and other gems because of onboard scales. They will immediately know the amount they have gathered, quickly calculating if they have met their required output.

In Motion Rail Scales 

Onboard scales can also be integrated in rail cars, thereby creating rail scales that can measure load weight while the contents being weighed are in transport on trains. In motion rail scale systems are perhaps the most advanced form of onboard scale technology. Companies need not to worry about usual challenges in the maintenance and operation of their rails like cutting, drilling or welding when they set it up. In a matter of a day or two, in motion rail scales can be installed, providing more efficiency than ever. Having these onboard scales in comparison to other alternatives can pay significant dividends.

Revolutionizing Operational Efficiency

Utilizing the utmost capacity of your company entails having efficient systems. Onboard scales are an important tool in making every haul contain the maximum legal load, wasting no effort and time in delivery. No more worrying about the trip to certified loading stations, saving the money you would use for gas. The maintenance cost will be kept to minimum because with the knowledge of the weight you carry, you no longer burden the vehicle with mass that it is not designed to carry. Not only that, you also increase your credibility to your customers since you provide them with accurate weight information, encouraging repeated subscription to your services.

Rail Scales: Revolutionized Technology for Large-Scale Weighing

Used in various farming, mining and resource extraction operations, rail scales are form of heavy-duty weighing technology that has revolutionized processes to optimal efficiency. Like most large-scale farm scales and mining scales that involve trucks and other forms heavy-duty equipment, rail scales are unique in that they involve trains and transport of the contents being weighed.

In short, rail scale technology offers an efficient way to determine the weight of payloads dumped onto trains. The most common applications are mining sites in which precious resources are extracted and dumped onto a rail car, or in farming and agricultural situations when grain and harvests are transported via train.

The Various Types Rail Scale Systems

Most rail scale systems are directly integrated on railroad tracks; however, there are two primary types of rail scales:

• Static rail scales - which are often called "train weighbridges." These systems weigh railcar loads individually as they rest on the weighbridge, or scale.
• In-motion rail scales - which are more advanced rail scale systems that can accurately measure the loads of trains while they are moving. These systems are more complex, yet offer incredible efficiency.

In-motion rail scale systems, such as those produced by Walz Scale, can be further classified into two primary categories based on the speed in which trains pass over them. Low speed rail scales measure the load weight of trains with speeds less than or equal to 15 km/hour. High speed rail scales calculate weight at speeds greater than 15 km/hour.

Static rail scales, such as those produce by TrackBlaze, use loadcell weighing technology and have been proven to be highly accurate and reliable in weighing loads. These forms of rail scales have also been around for more than 30 years.

Intricacies of How Rail Scales Communicate Data & Provide Value

Virtually all rail scales are equipped with a mass sensor which is the most important component. These sensors are integrated on or within the rail's structure. Based on their position on the railroad tracks, the mass sensors might be temporary, semi-permanent, or permanent.

The processor and data storage unit, which gathers and communications information from the rail scale system, is commonly installed next to the railroad tracks in which the mass sensor is placed. Connected to the mass senor, the processor unit receives and communicates the weigh data from the scale.

Applications of Today's Rail Scales

Many industries and operations demand accurate monitoring and data extraction of payload weights. Rail scales are used in several different operations, including industrial, transportation, food processing, farming, mining, and chemical contexts.

For instance, mining specific rail scale systems are designed to improve overall safety and efficiency, as well as to lower the costs involved with alternative mining scale systems. Rail scales are also commonly used to replace most farm truck scale systems as harvests need not be weighed on grain dump trucks and other farming equipment, but rather on the train as they are being transported.

The Progression of Rail Scale Technology

The first rail scales were developed as far back as the 1950's. However during these initial stages, rail scale systems did not have sufficient data and storage units, as well as mass sensors and instrumentation. The decades to follow progressed rail scale technology to what it has become today.

A prime model of today's rail scale technology is the Walz Scale rail scales which feature both in-motion and static designs. These rail scale systems utilized the latter cutting-edge technologies and provide incredible value for mining and farming operations all over the U.S. and North America