Scrap metal is any bit or piece of metal that no longer functions as part of a greater whole. It can be found almost anywhere and is actually quite valuable. There are scrap yards across the globe that are willing to pay, and pay well, depending on the type and amount of scrap metal brought to them. Even jewelers deal in scrap metals like silver and gold.
Industrial Metal Recycling
There are also metal recycling services that work on an industrial level, serving manufacturers, electrical utilities, demolition contractors and other industries that produce a constant flow of scraps in their production processes or during certain projects where metal parts are removed or replaced.
Scrap metal is traded based on formulas derived from various published commodities markets. For example, gold, silver and copper are based on the COMEX, while other common base metals are traded using the London Metal Exchange (LME). Because the scrap metal trade is a global industry, there are national and local average prices that must be taken into account.
Industrial Scrap Weighing
And while most metal recyclers are fair in there assessment of scraps, there are three major variables that are not visible to the eye but will determine the price paid for scraps.
1. Grading: the type and grade of the metal being recycled
2. Weight: the weight of the metal grade being scrapped
3. Price per Pound: the current price being paid for that grade of metal
Depending on the size of the load, scrap yards will employ one of two kinds of scales – truck and platform scales. Legal metal recycling facilities must use scales that are certified in the state for which they’re used. The National Conference on Weights and Measures will issue an NTEP Certificate of Commerce to indicate that the facilities’ scales meet fair trade requirements. This certificate is issued yearly.
Types of Metal Scraps
Scraps are initially sorted into two groups – ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Ferrous scraps include:
• Steel
• Stainless steel (depends on alloy content)
• Wrought, cast, pig and sheet iron
• Auto, machinery, agricultural, and #2 stove cast
• Automobiles
• Fence wire
• Appliances
• Motor blocks
• Unprepared and prepared iron or structural
• Auto Cast
Non-ferrous scraps include:
• Aluminum
• Tin
• Copper
• Bronze
• Lead
• Stainless steel (certain grades)
• Brass
• Titanium
• Nickel alloys
Hundreds of different metals and alloys fall under this category and can include everything from the pull-tabs on aluminum cans and insulated copper wire to catalytic converters and ten-ton ship propellers.
Truck and Platform Scales
Useful for extremely large loads of scrap, truck scales are either built into a pit that makes that scale level with the ground or are placed on the ground with leading raps that allow cars and trucks to drive onto the scale’s platform.
The entire weight of the vehicle plus scraps will be weighed. Then the vehicle will be emptied of scraps and reweighed. The difference between these two weights determines the weight of the scraps.
For smaller collections of scrap, platform scales are used. Scraps are first sorted and then placed on the platform and weighed. The size, location and capacity of the scale will vary from facility to facility.
Industrial Scales for Weighing Scraps
Scrap yards require industrial scales that are accurate, rugged, durable, easy to use and versatile. Arlyn’s platform and floor scales meet all of these requirements and feature best of class components including stainless steel load cells, welded frames, and advanced digital algorithms.
• We fabricate our load cells in-house using solid stainless steel, rather than that aluminum or regular steel that our competitors use. This protects the load cell from shock loading and overloading and increases the accuracy of your measurements.
• While standard models come with a rugged welded aluminum body, they can also be purchased with a full stainless steel body for additional corrosion resistance.
• Our steel models come standard with a zinc-rich epoxy coating that protects the scale from abrasion and scratches caused by rough metal scraps. Our stainless steel models can be purchased with an optional three-part galvanized epoxy that’s infused with garnet particles for additional abrasion resistance.
• Our large digital display and intuitive menu instructions allow you to select pounds or metric, net or gross, and a variety of other functions while providing good visibility from any angle or distance.
• Equipped with special digital electronics, our platform and floor scales are able to compensate for changes in temperature, air currents, vibrations and other scrap yard conditions to provide you with the highest accuracy possible – up to 0.1 on certain models.
Data Communication and Printing
We offer a variety of connection ports that will allow you to print receipts or tickets with pertinent information like weight, time and date. You can also choose to keep an inventory of your scraps by sending your weight data to a workstation PC using a Wi-Fi, Ethernet or USB connection.
Custom Platform Sizes & Scales
If your yard has special considerations such as limited space, we offer custom platform sizes with no cost penalty. We also offer custom scales and weighing components for OEM systems and can help you build out a unique weighing system that helps you get your scraps processed faster.
If you have any questions about Arlyn’s platform or floor scales or our custom weighing solutions, contact us today. We’re here to help.
