Weight is a parameter that must be determined in virtually any aspect of manufacturing or distribution. This is certainly the case in the formulation of chemicals, where each ingredient must be accurately weighed in order to achieve good quality control of the final product. Platform scales will often be used for that purpose. It is also the case when formulating inks and dyes, where very accurate dispensing of pigments must be achieved for good color matching. Ultra-precision bench scales would be suitable for that.
Keeping track of weight is also important in order to keep good inventory control Liquid gas cylinders are often placed on scale platforms so that they can be monitored for remaining content. Totes or bins may also be placed on large floor scales direct for a similar purpose.
The Simplest Way is Not Always the Most Accurate
In the simplest type of situation, an operator could keep track of the weights by writing down values on a chart. This could be done on a daily, an hourly, or even more frequent basis if necessary. Of course, there is always the risk of a user error with a significant amount of time required to do this, especially if there are several different scales that must be monitored.
Enhanced recording accuracy may be obtained if the scale is equipped with an output port. One example is the RS-232 communication port, which may be connected directly to a printer. The scale can now print the weight on the platform at any pre-determined time interval and these printouts can be collected from any number of scales as required.
However, it would often be more convenient to use the data communication port to send the data directly into a spreadsheet or database table on a computer. While it is possible to do this with the RS-232 protocol, a more modern method is to use a USB interface from the scale. Some high-quality industrial weight scales, floor scales, and platform scales from Arlyn Scales offer this option.
System Synchronization Setbacks
Often, the ideal solution would be to send the scale data over the Internet into a database system. This could provide password protected, but widespread availability of this data, through any Internet browser. Data from scales in many different locations could all report to the same database. This would allow central offices to use this data for a variety of purposes.
While it is possible for a central web server to access data from scales at many different locations on different Local Area Networks, it could require extensive setup at each of these locations. Each location might require special setup so that the firewall can be safely passed through and port forwarding would have to be established. Significant networking skills would be required.
Connecting Ethernet Scales to Local Area Networks with Efficiency
Arlyn Scales has established a method where any of their Ethernet scales can be connected to any Local Area Network. A special protocol allows communication to be established with the central web server without any user intervention. While this method is highly secure, it also allows the benefit of web interface for users who may not have the skills or time to use more complicated setup methods airlink cpl post.
Currently, Arlyn Scales offers this communication method with some of their Parts Counting Scales. This is ideal for keeping track of parts inventory in a parts bin system. It is also used with a line of our agricultural scales to keep track of animal weight. While it is simple enough to use in a farm environment, the value to the farmers can be quite high, as animal weight gain is a critical parameter to monitor.
Wireless Ethernet Advantages
- No cables to run, reducing initial device installation time.
- Scales can be easily moved from one location to another while maintaining communications.
- The warehouse can be reconfigured without concern for Ethernet cables.
Other in trial environments that would be well suited for web monitoring include liquefied gas cylinders in semiconductor process plants. Arlyn gas cylinder scales may also be equipped with Ethernet ports for this purpose. The process gas must be carefully checked to make sure that each gas is available at the appropriate place during processing.
Any empty gas cylinder could cause a complete loss of the semiconductor wafers being processed. As a batch of wafers represents hundreds or even thousands of integrated circuits, the economic loss could be quite severe. In fact, duplicate cylinders are often kept on a duplicate set of scales, with automatic switchover as the initial cylinder depletes its supply.
Understanding the value in time and resources that Ethernet-equipped industrial scales compatible with local area networks are to your business, feel free to contact us via our contact form if you have any questions about how our scales can fit your needs.
