Load Cell Applications

A load cell is a transducer which converts force into a measurable electrical output. This conversion is indirect and happens in two stages. Through a mechanical arrangement, the force being sensed deforms a strain gauge and through a mechanical arrangement, the force being sensed deforms a strain gauge. The strain gauge converts the deformation (strain) to electrical signals. Although there are many varieties of load cells, strain gage based load cells are the most commonly used type.

Thames Side Sensors can offer you the ultimate range of industrial load cells and loading assemblies for tank, silo and vessel weighing. Whether you have indoor or outdoor applications, or the installation is subject to vibration, high winds or harsh environments, we can provide the solution to fit your needs. If you would like further details or have a requirement for a special load cell, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss your specific application.

General Weighing Load Cells

Weight is an often measured and controlled variable. Checkout stations at supermarkets weigh produce to determine price. Roads and bridges set vehicle weight limits. Industrial feedstock and most raw materials are sold by weight. Whether at home or on the loading dock it is effective for the task at hand, and today incorporates advanced electronics that make weighing tasks more accurate and reliable.

Early weighing systems were based on the principle of counterpoise. They used known weights balanced against an item or material to be measured. Through a construction of beams, levers, gears or pulleys, comparison was made by achieving an equilibrium of forces.

Weighbridges and Truck Scales Load Cells

Truck scales (or weighbridges) are large, floor mounted weighing scale systems that can weigh entire vehicles and their contents. By weighing the vehicle both empty and when loaded the load carried by the vehicle can be calculated.

Weighbridges play an important role in most of today's processing plants, providing valuable weight data for incoming and outgoing vehicles, as well as for bulk loading activities within the plant. The weighbridges offer weight solutions for all vehicle types, tippers, refuse collectors, box vans, just about anything on the road.

Industrial Weighing Load Cells

Industrial weighing technology varies greatly. Not all users are interested in weight as the final value to be controlled and/or recorded. Of actual operations reported by respondents, only four fell into that category: Basic weighing, Batching, Pre-weighing or filling by weight and Inspection by weight (check weighing).

Weighing technology continues to advance. Even the simplest scales have shifted to electronics. Developments in electronics packaging, battery technology and miniaturization that have helped drive industrial scale development are available to let you know just as accurately and repeatably at home if your diet is still on track.

Process Weighing Load Cells

In the world of processing, weighing technology is being used in more and more applications. Typical process weighing applications include reactor, batch/blend and mixing vessels where two or more "ingredients" are combined to produce a final product.

Although actual processing varies greatly from company-to-company and product to product, the usual procedure entails adding each ingredient to the process vessel separately, based upon recipe designated weight values. Once all essential ingredients are present in their predetermined quantities, processing is initiated.

Bulk Storage Weighing Load Cells

Bulk storage containers have a wide range of industrial and warehouse storage applications, housing everything from in-process and post-process materials to organic products like foods and beverages. Warehouse storage containers come in three general varieties: plastic, metal and cardboard.

Steel containers are generally favored for their ability to bear heavy loads but polyethylene containers offer a deceptively large maximum weight-bearing capacity of up to one ton. While polyethylene containers are suited for the storage of a wider range of materials and products, steel containers are easier to clean and wire containers offer a unique design that allows them to double as industrial wash boxes.

Vessel Weighing Load Cells

Vessel weighing applications require a load cell and mechanical support system that can eliminate non-vertical loading, show high tolerance against non-perfect loading, and produce reproducible weighing results.

A vessel or tank weighing application will never be successful if the actual tank construction is not designed to hold product adequately and safely while withstanding earthquakes, wind, and other forces of nature. The idea that the vessel needs to weigh accurately is generally an afterthought in the design of the tank.

Offshore Vessel Weighing Load Cells

Offshore Vessels work in some of the most hostile parts of the world, they are among the main players in oil and gas projects offshore, it is the quest for crude oil and other hydrocarbons which sees them rising in demand as the race for resources continues.

There are about 88,000 commercial vessels in the world and the 3,510 offshore vessels form less than 4% of this total. But due to the highly specialised roles of offshore vessels they generally represent a higher investment than many other vessel types. Over the past five years (measured by year of delivery) annual expenditure on offshore vessels has grown and a major part of this has been spent in Europe.

Weighing Applications Load Cells

The designs of the earliest weighing systems were based on the work of Archimedes and Leonardo Da Vinci. They used the positioning of calibrated counterweights on a mechanical lever to balance and thereby determine the size of unknown weights. Later, calibrated springs replaced standard weights and improvements in fabrication and materials have made these scales accurate and reliable.

Load cells are widely used in applications requiring precision weighing of solid and liquid materials. Depending on whether the receiver or dispenser is being weighed, these applications are referred to as gain-in-weight or loss-in-weight configurations.

Hazardous Area Weighing Load Cells

The Hazardous Area is where inflammable vapours, gases or dusts are (or may be) present. Intrinsically Safe electrical components and systems are designed and operated such that any failure will release insufficient spark or thermal energy to cause ignition.

Three essential elements are required for an explosion to take place:

Approved Weighing Load Cells

In a mobile installation an approved weigh system is preferred. This is often not possible, for practical or financial reasons. The approval directives make this possible, but the demands are such, that a substantial investment is to be expected.

A mobile weighbelt is applied mainly as an alternative for expensive put through scales for ship unloading installations. Advantage of such a weighbelt is the high reliability and accuracy, because the conveyor stands free of vibrating sieves or crushers. But it is a separate component of the mobile installation and must therefore be shipped between locations separately.