“Smart Gauge System optimizes Weighing System
For reliable inventory control of silos load cells are still the first choice. The price of load cells for weighing new silos has fallen steadily in recent years – and with increased accuracy and ease of installation of current weighing modules. Nevertheless, there is still a very large number of existing silos without (functional) inventory control. The consequences are often severe, ranging from loss of production until the return of silo vehicles that could only unload part of their cargo. Silo trucks are over- or under-load, since the only assistance often is a stopwatch and the experience of the driver.
Silos on steel construction can be retrofitted with a weighing system by the use of strain gauge sensors. This sensors are bolted to the support member of the silo. The sensors detect the force resulting from the change in weight in the silo compression, tension or shear. These signals are linearly proportional to the silo content. The measurement via strain gauge-sensors is maintenance and wear-free – the correct application and installation of retrofit systems requires, especially in silos on a common substructure, a lot of experience.
Hense Wägetechnik GmbH has worked for many years in this field and may appoint a number of references in all type of industries. Based on this experience, the Hense technicians have now developed a new evaluation system “Smart Gauge” with improved measurement accuracy, supervision of individual sensors and interference-free transmission of the sensor data via a bus system.
The new evaluation system “Smart Gauge” of weighing Hense can significantly increase the system accuracy. The “Smart Gauge” – system consists of an “intelligent junction box” and a “smart” evaluation electronic unit with special software. During mounting the junction box can display the mV signals of the sensors as an important assembly aid. Thus, no special measurement or test devices are no longer required during mounting. Sensors- or line faults are displayed as plain text in the display and also via the CAN bus to the “Smart Gauge” – transfer evaluation. Through the reliable CAN bus, it is also possible to mount the evaluation electronics several hundred meter away.
The electronic provides multiple outputs (4 – 20 mA analog, set points, Profibus or Profinet) as well as two inputs to determine the process status (filling and emptying.). An “intelligent software” eliminates the majority of the induced by solar radiation measurement error.
The accuracy of existing weighing systems can be improve by using the “Smart Gauge” – electronic. Even silos on aluminum or steel silo skirt can be retrofitted with the new technology.
The “Smart Gauge” system provides a higher accuracy combined with an improved reliability.