Weighing systems: Essential for speed and accuracy
Weighing systems are used for an array of warehousing applications. Determine which is best suited to your operation.
By Sonja Randall -- Modern Materials Handling, 4/1/1999
Scales, manifesting, and integrated weighing systems can play a significant role in a variety of plant and warehouse applications.For example, integrated weighing systems can replace manual operations, saving time and money, while increasing throughput, and decreasing errors.
There are four types of advanced weighing systems. They are scale-based inventory management systems, in-motion checkweighers, cubing and weighing systems, and parcel manifest systems. Each system plays its own important role in warehousing, distribution, and manufacturing facilities.
A scale-based inventory management system manages inventory by linking a scale with database software and a bar code printer. The software manages minimum inventory levels, reorder quantities, storage location of parts, and other related information.
As cartons on a conveyor continue across an in-motion scale, an in-motion checkweigher gathers weight information and transmits the information to the system controller, usually warehouse management system (WMS) software.
Some in-motion checkweighing systems can identify, weigh, label, and verify random weight shipping cartons at rates up to 30 cartons per/min without an attending operator. The WMS determines the best way to ship the carton based on its weight and destination.
High-speed checkweighers are useful for applications that require weight information for individual parts to be sure they fit into a given tolerance band. Continuous motion checkweighers are used in process inventories that need to capture rate of flow data.
A weighing system's ability to interface with a host computer and WMS software allows for weight information to be gathered in real-time and made available instantly for decision making.
Quality assurance is yet another application that may require an advanced weighing system.
How important are weighing systems in the shipping process? Very important. Shipping by way of rail or truck almost always involves knowing the weight of what is being shipped.
For example, the airline that utilizes a weighing system can be sure that it will receive payment for the total weight it is shipping. If cargo is over the designated weight limit, the airline can bill the shipper for the additional weight.
Large volume shippers who need to identify, manifest by cube and/or weight, and track outbound shipments may find use for cubing and weighing systems. These units are used in automated freight handling, parcel posting, material handling, and warehousing systems where dimensional information must be gathered quickly and accurately. Photo optic technology measures a parcel's length and width. Height is assessed with a vertical infrared emitter/receiver array pair. The dimensional information is used to compute shipping charges, storage space planning, and material sorting.
Also applicable for shipping operations are parcel manifest systems. Carton scales provide information to parcel manifest software tailored to manage pertinent sender, recipient, and over-the-road carrier data. The system is linked to a bar code printer that can generate shipping labels and related documents.
Examples of weighing equipment systems
Parcel manifest system
Parcel manifest systems combine a scale, software, PC, and a printer to prepare shipping documents and carton labels.
In-motion checkweigher
In-motion checkweighers record the weight of a carton as it passes along a conveyor and feeds that data to a host computer.
Scale-based system
An inventory management system links a scale to a PC and database as well as a printer capable of printing bar code labels.
Cubing & weighingsystem
A cubing system weighs cartons and records dimensions to determine volume for shipping charges.
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