A weighing system executed by an expert is a profitable investment

In the worst case, the design is carried out by one party, then the scale’s mechanics, electronics and automation are bought from separate suppliers. After this, the mechanical installation and electrical connections may be done by different parties. Thus, one weighing systems can be implemented even by six parties. If problems were found in the operation of the system, it may be difficult to find out who is responsible of the malfunction.

When separate weighing components are used, design or manufacturing errors can easily occur that are not yet detected at the manufacturing phase. Possible errors and inaccuracies do not appear until the system has been installed and commissioned. In this case, the weighing accuracy aimed by the scale may be significantly worse than the desired accuracy or, in the worst case, the scale will not work at all. Accuracy and functionality are crucial, especially if the scale is to be put into commercial use, i.e. it is used as legal for trade. In this case, the malfunction may mean that the initial verification of the scale cannot even be performed and  the scale cannot even be used for the desired purpose. In addition, an optimally functioning scale serves as a basis for reliable dosing accuracy.

The design of weighing equipment and systems has also undergone a significant change – today many companies have outsourced their design to e.g. engineering companies. Designers may not have any experience in weighing or dosing of different materials. Without understanding and expertise of the process and service requirements, an optimal scale structure and weighing result is unlikely to be achieved.

When a weighing system is procured from a single expert, the advantage is a reliable entity. This consists of mapping the customer’s needs, designing the optimal solution for the purpose, manufacturing, installing and commissioning the equipment. Together, these ensure reliable and accurate weighing for guaranteeing the efficiency and quality of production processe. In addition, it is essential that the dosing systems in use are equipped with optimal equipment. These can significantly affect the capacity and accuracy of weighing systems.

The structure and operation of a scale used in commercial use must meet certain criteria, which are determined by laws, directives and many other standards. In addition, the design and implementation of scale-related automation is not as clear as for a scale used in non-commercial use. In other words, the design of a scale requires expertise in a completely different way than a basic process scale in order to meet the requirements set out in the law. As a scale manufacturer, Lahti Precision has in-depth knowledge of legal issues related to commercial scales.

Our design also emphasizes long-term experience with the behavior of various dry powdered bulk materials at different stages of the process. Over the years, we have delivered more than 200 factory projects dealing with dozens of different powdered dry materials. We are also able to utilize this experience in the dosing and weighing of individual substances. In many cases, dosing and weighing go hand in hand and by considering the characteristics of the materials to be considered in the design, it is possible to build a reliable and accurate process and an efficient overall investment.

The Care^LAHTI service ensures cost-effective service and maintenance during the life cycle of the weighing system. In addition to periodic inspection of the scale, we can also perform initial verification of the scales and the maintenance sealing. In addition, we take care of the maintenance and modernization of old scales. Lahti Precision’s rights to carry out various inspections based on metrological standards are broader than any other horizontal maintenance company in Finland.

The author of the article is Jari Haraholma, Sales Manager of Dosing and Weighing Systems