How to plan the construction of a car scale in an industrial company?

When planning an investment in a car scale for an industrial or production company, it is important to first determine the needs, what the scale will be used for and what processes it will serve. This will allow for the selection of the optimal solution, including the type of scale, sensors, and most importantly, automatic weighing systems or software, and their integration with the company's ERP or WMS system. In most cases, the investment extends beyond just the scale itself, but includes weighing solutions that bring wide-ranging benefits. It is also important to determine the scope of work for which the contractor will be responsible.Design and build?It is worth considering entrusting the comprehensive implementation of the investment to a contractor, which is very convenient for the investor. This will significantly shorten the investment process and be carried out by specialized employees. The contractor will take full responsibility for the proper execution of all stages, relieving the investors of the obligations associated with coordinating activities and regulating the relationship between the designer and the contractor. The expenses for the procedure of awarding a single contract will also likely be lower than for awarding multiple contracts. When looking for a contractor who is able to carry out the investment in a "design and build" mode, it is important to consider whether they have the relevant experience and resources, such as their own scale factory and teams specialized in construction, assembly, servicing, and legalization. Which scale to choose? Of course, it is necessary to consider whether the scale should be surface-mounted (raised above the ground) or pit-mounted (level with the ground). This decision is often conditioned by the layout and terrain on which the scale is to be placed. The best solution in an industrial plant will be a pit-mounted scale, which takes up less space and is level with the ground. The recommended option is to choose a scale composed of prefabricated steel-reinforced concrete decks (recommended concrete parameters C35/45 W8 F150). It is worth considering additional protection of the deck by using hot-dip galvanization. An important issue is the choice of the type of pit, which can be shallow or deep (traditional). A shallow pit made of a set of prefabricated elements, plates, front and side walls, is definitely a better solution. This solution ensures quick installation and significantly reduces costs. However, it is important to ensure that the contractor provides easy access for cleaning the scale and access to the sensors in a shallow pit (e.g., by using removable flaps in the scale decks). Digital sensors An often overlooked but important issue is the choice of sensors. Analog and digital sensors are available, with digital strain gauges being the preferred choice for most companies. The digital signal is resistant to radio-electrical disturbances, and there is no risk of incorrect weighing caused by other electrical devices (e.g., in a factory). The use of digital sensors also provides practically complete resistance to flooding (no junction boxes) and protection against atmospheric discharges. A key difference compared to analog sensors is also the ability to quickly diagnose a malfunction and identify a faulty sensor. It is also important for the sensors to be made of stainless steel. Models from European manufacturers are a better choice than Chinese ones (due to quality, durability, and availability of sensors in case of failure). Weighing software and integration The use of weighing software allows for automatic control of product weight, management, analysis, previewing, or printing of weighings in a company, as well as waste management. Several applications are available on the market, differing in the technology and functionalities used. If integration with an existing higher-level ERP or WMS system is desired, it is important to check whether the contractor guarantees easy connection (e.g., by providing REST API). It is also worth checking whether the supplier has an IT department capable of quickly adapting weighing software to individual needs, such as additional fields. In large, multi-department companies, the ability to handle multiple departments, multiple scales located in different locations, and easy and unlimited user creation may be significant. Weighing software can streamline waste management in a company by automatically connecting to the government BDO database and reporting. Some weighing programs are available through a web browser, eliminating the need to install anything on your own device, not worrying about data loss, and always working on the latest version of the system. Browser-based solutions are supported on any device, including mobile devices, ensuring convenient operation on a phone. Using weighing software allows for the creation of an integrated and automated weighing system - without operator involvement. Maintenance-free systems offer savings Car scales with maintenance-free weighing systems offer great benefits. Using automatic traffic management and license plate recognition cameras in combination with a car scale allows for faster processes and significantly improves the management of vehicles entering and leaving the company's premises. It can also reduce long-term costs by eliminating the need to employ scale operators. Calculations show that this can result in savings of up to 100,000 zł per year. Therefore, it is worth becoming interested in maintenance-free systems and choosing the right one for your needs, as there are many possibilities.