Many different types of industrial operations require pallet scales to weigh materials. This can happen with shipping and receiving or on the manufacturing floor. As a broad generalization, the scale should be heavy-duty, high quality, and accurate to achieve the desired goals.
A wide range of industrial scales is available for a wide range of requirements. They include a pallet jack scale, a platform scale, a bench scale, a cylinder scale, and scales with a counting function. Specialty scales are designed for corrosive environments. Others are built for flammable or hazardous areas.
What Is A Pallet Scale?
A pallet scale can also be called a shipping scale, pallet floor scale, or simply a floor scale. They may be built from painted steel, carbon steel, or stainless steel. Whereas older scales may have used a weigh beam, current units include a weight indicator that may have an LCD or LED display. Some may even have a color touchscreen display. Some have a built-in rechargeable battery that powers the indicator.
A pallet is also known as a skid. It is a flat structure that is meant to support goods that are being shipped. They are most commonly constructed from wood or plastic, although galvanized steel and aluminum are also used for certain applications. They provide a means for more easily handling the cargo that is placed on them.
As the name implies, a pallet scale is designed to easily weigh a pallet and its contents. They are sized to accommodate standard-size pallets, such as 36” x 36” or 48” x 48”. Their profile is quite low, making it easier to use pallet trucks to place pallets onto and off of the scale.
Industrial Uses For High-Capacity Portable Floor Scales
A portable floor scale must have units with different features to match different requirements. When the requirement is for a scale to weigh materials for direct sale to customers, it should be NTEP-approved. Most other applications are for industrial use.
Pallet Scales For Hazardous Area Use
The National Electrical Code (NEC) defines hazardous, or classified areas as those with fire or explosion hazards due to the presence of flammable gases, vapors, liquids, combustible dust, or ignitable fibers. These kinds of conditions occur throughout manufacturing facilities of different types. Concentrations of these materials will affect the classification that applies.
The solvent extraction industry is often classified as C1 D1. Volatile oils may be extracted from botanical materials. This method involves the use of various solvents such as alcohol, butane, ethanol, or others. These can present fire and explosion hazards due to the highly flammable nature of the solvents.
The oil, gas, and mining industries have similarly hazardous conditions. That is also the case with distilleries. Other situations where specialty solvents are required would also have these types of classifications.
If a pallet scale is needed to weigh materials within these types of environments, it must be rated as an intrinsically safe pallet scale. They are available with capacities ranging from 500 lb, up to large scales with capacities up to 20,000 lb and higher. Various configurations are available for choices on how to power the scale, how to control it, and methods for sending weight data into computers and other systems.
Corrosive Area Pallet Scales
Clean, dry workplaces are good for both employees and equipment. In the real world, things can get wet and dirty. Wet can also mean saltwater. Other materials in the area could contain corrosive chemicals, such as sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide, alum, phosphates, and many others. Liquefied gases such as ammonia, chlorine, sulfur dioxide, chloride, and carbon dioxide may produce corrosive fumes.
When pallet scales are required to weigh these materials, the first choice would be stainless steel scales. If conditions are very difficult, the choice should be corrosion-resistant pallet scales. These units are also made from stainless steel, and they are coated with a three-part glass-filled epoxy for excellent additional corrosion protection.
Data Collection From Pallet Scales
Weighing pallets of material is important. Using this data is useful. Arlyn’s pallet scales can send their data to PCs, PLCs, and other equipment in many different formats. These include industry-standard RS-232 and RS485, along with USB, Ethernet, and WiFi. Modbus formatting is also available.
What Separates Good Industrial Pallet Scales from Great Ones
Sturdy materials, solid manufacturing techniques, and a good design will result in a good scale. But the most important parts of the scale are their load cells. Good units will have alloy steel load cells instead of aluminum.
The highest quality scales choose stainless steel. This results in superior ruggedness and longer useful product life. They also offer flexibility in features and platform sizes.
Explore Arlyn Scales’ Line of Industrial Floor Scales Legal for Trade
A wide range of highest-quality scales for a wide range of work requirements makes Arlyn Scales the ideal choice if you’re looking for a mobile floor scale. Accuracy, dependability, ease of use, and long life result in a package that will provide you with the best solution for your needs.Reach out to us today to learn more about floor scales, pallet options, and crane scales. The experience of our technical sales staff will help you determine the best way to meet those needs. Take a look at our product line and let us know how we can help you.
