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Category Archives: General
Imagine A Scale That Can Send Email Alerts…
Over they years Cardinal Scale has led the weighing industry with their made in the USA digital weight indicators. Cardinal’s weight indicators are known for providing easy, convenient scale operation and accurate, reliable measurements. From basic truck scale weighing to complex process automation, Cardinal Scale probably has a weight indicator for your particular need.
The Cardinal Scale 825 Spectrum weight indicator for scales can send automatic e-mail alerts through an Ethernet connection to the client’s internal SMTP e-mail server for submission to up to three recipients per scale. The 825 features up to 10 scale inputs per indicator by installing additional option cards to the multiple slots available, and each of the scales connected has completely-individual configuration for the e-mail alerts.
Easy set-up for this application is enabled through the 825′s touchscreen LCD and QWERTY keyboard where users may assign the e-mail address the alerts are sent from, which also acts as a return address (any address may be configured). There are four preset weights available per scale for user-definable targets such as Over, Accept, Under (Reorder), and Extremely Low, which may be labeled whatever the user chooses.
E-mail alerts may be assigned for up to three of the presets per scale. For instance, e-mail alerts might be sent for Over, Under, (Reorder), and Extremely Low, but not for the unnecessary Accept weight status. Additionally, up to three recipients per scale may receive each e-mail alert via separate e-mail addresses.
The 825 Spectrum’s vivid color display is effectively utilized in this application by assigning any of eight different color options (black, blue, green, red, yellow, white, gray, or cyan) to each of the four preset weight ranges (both the color block and text color are user-definable). All of the scales connected to the 825 may be monitored onscreen simultaneously with easy weight status visually identifiable by their current color mode and preset weight identifier. View up to ten scales onscreen simultaneously with the 640 x 480 pixel color LCD. By touching a scale’s weight onscreen, the indicator will bring up that individual scale’s information and current weight status.
E-mail alerts are sent in the form of text file attachments containing the Date, Time, Scale Number, Commodity, Weight, and its current status when sent. This provides remote weight monitoring anywhere in the world that the user can access their e-mail.
Cardinal Scale Launches New Weigh-in-Motion Highway Systems Site
Cardinal Scale Manufacturing Company recently announced the launch of their new web site dedicated to the company’s weigh-in-motion highway systems.
The new weigh-in-motion highway systems web site features Cardinal Scale’s complete product line for this vertical market, including quartz sensor-based in-motion scales for full highway speed weighing, slow-speed in-motion load-cell based scales, virtual weigh station software, custom systems, optional peripheral equipment, and also static scales for commercial weigh stations.
The web site uses adaptive response technology, so the screen formatting will change based on the device it’s being displayed on whether it’s a PC, tablet, or smart phone. Cardinal Scale began developing and manufacturing in-motion vehicle scales in the late 1990s and today the company has grown to offer a number of commercial enforcement in-motion weighing systems that can be found across the U.S. as well as in South America, the Middle East, and the Far East.
Web Site Features:
WIM Products and Services
Highway System Layout Diagrams
Virtual Weigh Station Demo Video
Frequently Asked Questions
Request a Quote
If this is a product that interests you, check out the new site at http://www.wimscales.com
Keys To Success For Your Truck Scale
If you think about it, maintaining your truck scale calibration, keeping your truck scale clean and in good working order and watching out for any operational errors can help ensure that you keep your vehicle scale on track for a solid year of great weighing and perhaps a great year of profits for your business. As you can see from Steve Langford’s article, a lot of this just makes sense. In some businesses a truck scale is the device that ultimately enables you get what you pay for when buying raw materials as well as making sure that you receive proper payment for your products.
An accurate scale is not only necessary to maintain profitability but to comply with applicable local and state weights and measures laws. For most of us, the purchase of a truck scale is a major investment and, when you consider its use, it only makes sense to make sure the scale continues to do its job and to help maximize your profits for many years to come. Let’s take a look at some of the ways to do just that.
Perhaps the best advice to ensure that your truck scales continue to meet your expectations is to be proactive. Don’t wait until your scale is out of calibration before calling your service company. Have your scales calibration checked at regular intervals. How often? How long can you go with an inaccurate scale causing you to pay for material you don’t get or to give product away? At a minimum, a truck scales calibration should be checked by a reputable scale service company at least once every six months. Between calibration checks, keep an eye on the readings to make sure that the readings stay within the ballpark and are not obviously wrong. If there’s any question, call your scale service company. Its better to spend a few dollars verifying the calibration of your scale than to loose thousands or more with an inaccurate scale.
Truck scales are designed to maintain calibration, within predefined limits, over a range of temperatures but calibration can vary from winter to summer. If you are in an area subject to temperature extremes, it is a good idea to schedule the calibration of your scale to coincide with the temperature extremes. Granted, the scale may still be in calibration and only slightly high or low but, the greater the number of weighing operations, the greater the influence on your bottom line. Keep in mind that you are obligated to keep the calibration as close to a zero error as reasonably possible so that the scale favors neither the buyer nor the seller. Why would an honest business owner want it any other way? Continue reading
Product Spotlight: Rice Lake Survivor Truck Scale
Rice Lake Weighing Systems SURVIVOR® truck scales are commonly referred to as the Toughest Scales on Earth®. They are designed to provide reliable performance under the most demanding conditions. SURVIVOR truck scales are built with more structural steel, a superior support structure and innovative design features that provide consistent accuracy, less downtime and longer scale life. Each SURVIVOR is built with the exclusive five-step finishing process. Take a look at some of the different Rice Lake Survivor truck scale models below.
SURVIVOR® OTR
The SURVIVOR OTR Series truck scale is an outstanding design that incorporates the most advanced engineering and production technology to manufacture the highest quality vehicle weighing system in the marketplace.
SURVIVOR® ATV
The ATV is rigidly constructed for heavy-duty weighing, yet lightweight and compact for convenient portability. The pre-assembled modules (available in lengths from 10 – 30 ft.) and unique self-seating hinge connectors provide easy installation, expansion and relocation for your growing business.
SURVIVOR® SR
The SR concrete or steel deck modes are ruggedly designed with massive outboard beams available in a bolted or welded design. Load cells and mounting assemblies are easily accessed in the rugged, reinforced load cell pocket, through side access.
SURVIVOR® PT
The PT Series truck scale is available in many standard sizes to satisfy most requirements, but we also understand that pit-type installations often involve replacing and existing mechanical or electronic scale.
SURVIVOR® M-Series
SURVIVOR® M Series Levertronic Scales combine innovative features with time-proven durability that only a mechanical scale can deliver. In a market crowded with scales manufactured to compete on price alone, SURVIVOR M Series Scales are built from the ground up for lasting performance under the most extreme conditions.
SURVIVOR® Rail Scales
SURVIVOR railroad track scales incorporate Rice Lake’s best-in-class weighbridge design to create a rugged, accurate heavy duty weighing system. Used in static weighing operations, the SURVIVOR RT Pit Type railroad track scale and the SURVIVOR PL Modular Type railroad track scale excel in high-accuracy, legal-for-trade weighing and meet AREMA and Cooper E-80 design specifications.
SURVIVOR® Livestock Solutions
Rice Lake’s livestock scales are built from the ground up for lasting performance under the most severe circumstances. Whether you choose the RoughDeck™ SLV for single animal weighing or the SURVIVOR® AG, LV or LS, you’re getting the Toughest Scale on Earth®.
Take a look below at “Six Facts” regarding heavy capacity solutions from Rice Lake. Did you know for applications where steel is preferred or downtime is critical, a great choice would be the SURVIVOR® OTR Steel Deck. Operational within a day, this easy-to-install steel deck scale sets the standard for truck scale design and performance, keeping downtime to a minimum. Tightly spaced wide flange I-beams form the industry’s strongest weighbridge design, weighing as many as 250 trucks per day for 25 years without a trace of weighbridge fatigue.
Built to Withstand Extreme Use
Weighbridge design and the weight of structural steel used directly affect the life of a truck scale. Many truck scale designs incorporate low grade, non-certified steel and an inferior design to reduce the cost and decrease production time. These reductions also reduce the life of the scale. Rice Lake SURVIVOR® series truck scales utilize up to 30% more steel than most competitive models and incorporate a longitudinal highway bridge design. More I-beams are strategically placed longitudinally with the traffic flow to ensure tire support regardless of truck position.
Ultra Load Cell Protection
Load cell pockets that are welded or bolted to exterior I-beams allow excessive bending and flexing, causing damage to the weighbridge. Bumper bolts loosen and break. Check rods bind. Rice Lake’s SURVIVOR® series truck scales are designed with the load cell pocket integrated into the steel structure of the scale. The pocket is built inside the outer I-beam, offering a more durable, long-lasting load cell pocket. The SURVIVOR® series scales feature the G-Force™ self-checking mounting system, eliminating the need for check rods or bumper bolts.
Breathing Room Below
Closed-bottom weighbridge designs with both top and bottom plates, typically using lighter weight components, create cavities that tend to hold moisture causing rusting of internal components. Rice Lake’s SURVIVOR® steel deck truck scales feature an open-bottom design providing unrestricted airflow eliminating rust causing moisture buildup, which accelerates rusting of internal steel and imminent scale failure.
Tough, Start to Finish
Harsh environments and corrosive materials can quickly deteriorate improperly finished truck scale components. Rice Lake’s SURVIVOR® series truck scales are steel shot blasted according to the highest industry standards to remove mill scale and surface imperfections. An asphalt emulsion undercoating is applied to all non-visible steel surfaces on all steel deck models to protect against moisture damage. High-performance epoxy primer and specialized hard-coat alkyd enamel is applied to all visible steel surfaces for a car-like finish that protects the scale from the elements.
Custom Sizes are Customary
Replacing truck scales on existing foundations or fitting truck scales to unique locations or space limitations need not incur extra design fees. Rice Lake’s SURVIVOR® series truck scales can be custom-built to fit almost any application.
A Complete Solution for Any Application
These truck scales are only a part of the equation. Rice Lake offers not only the scale, but also the complete solution for your weighing application. From automated ticketing and truck transaction data collection systems to intelligent controllers like the 920i, to advanced cell diagnostics. And of course no truck scale is complete without a Ticketpress ticket printer and Laserlight Remote Display.
In-Motion Virtual Weigh Station Demo Video
We thought this was a pretty cool video to share this month. Weigh-in-Motion Commercial Vehicle Weight Enforcement packages can include a multi-platform static vehicle scale, a high-speed QWIM series in-motion vehicle presort scale, traffic control system including lane direction lights and loop sensors with automatic and manual operating modes, a remote scoreboard display to show the driver his vehicle’s gross weight and a PC with special application software to integrate the whole system. The QWIM series in-motion vehicle scale is used to identify over weight vehicles as they enter the station and direct only those that exceed weight preset limits or are randomly selected to the static scale. The others are directed to return to the main roadway.
Cardinal Scale’s Virtual Weigh Station (VWS) In-Motion Scale System measures the vehicle’s axle weights while a high-speed camera captures an image of the vehicle and transmits it and the weight data to a waiting patrol car. The display shows the last seven vehicles with an enlarged image of the user-selected thumbnail. Axle weights and spacing along with the vehicle speed, classification and gross weight are included. Provisions are included to allow the officer to enter notes specific to the selected vehicle.
Hope You Have A Great Independence Day!
Hope you have a wonderful and save Fourth of July week.
Cardinal Harvester Truck Scale Promotional Sale Price Offer
Cardinal Scale is offering an exciting truck scale pricing special that only lasts from May 1 to June 15, 2013. Order a Harvester® model 5070-PSC 70-ft truck scale for only $25,000 list price! This item is normally $28,846 list, so if you take advantage of this limited time promotion the savings could be over $3500! The Harvester series precast concrete scales offer an economical approach to truck weighing for farms.
The Harvester is a fully-electronic truck scale featuring factory poured concrete decks for above-ground, low-profile weighing. Incorporating the latest in patent-pending concrete composition with high tensile strength and optimal deck weight, the Harvester is designed for farms with 3,000 acres or less. Cardinal offers single-source convenience and quality construction utilizing USA-made stainless steel model CBC compression load cells. Designed for light-duty agricultural weighing, the NTEP certified Harvester series of vehicle scales are the farmers’ choice for all types of vehicle weighing from planting to harvest. The Harvester’s low-profile design allows direct access to all scale components for ease of service.
The Harvester incorporates the latest in patent-pending concrete composition with high tensile strength and optimal deck weight, the Harvester’s 70 x 10-ft model 5070-PSC features a 50-ton capacity and 25-ton concentrated load capacity.
Please note that this particular scale is designed for specific types of customer usage and may not be recommended for certain types of applications. The Harvester® truck scales are not designed for applications outside of light-duty weighing use on farms with less than 3,000 acres. Other heavier-duty type applications outside of these parameters are not acceptable at this time. For complete information and recommendations for what system would work best for you, please contact your authorized Cardinal Scale dealer.
Truck Scale Computer Software
Cardinal Scale’s powerful WinVRS has been a popular vehicle recording system for truck scale weighing applications many years, allowing high-traffic applications fast, accurate collection of data on vehicles, accounts, orders, and materials. With 9 models of WinVRS to select from, customers often have questions about which system is right for their particular application. To help explain in an easy-to-use format, we have created the WinVRS Models Comparison Guide, which is available in the link below. The chart helps specify the differences with each particular model. Programmed completely in-house by Cardinal software programmers, WinVRS is all-Cardinal and all-USA-made. WinVRS has been time-tested and a popular add-on to Cardinal truck scale orders for many years!
Cardinal’s powerful WinVRS software keeps traffic moving over your scale by providing fast, accurate collection of data on vehicles, accounts, orders, and materials. Unique, user-defined fields allow you to easily configure the system to meet your needs. A wide range of reports are available to provide period histories, material totals, customer information and more. WinVRS’s convenient file utilities menu allows data to be exported to other applications such as accounting and materials control. NTEP legal-for-trade certified. WinVRS-TOUCH offers all the same great features as WinVRS, but comes with larger fonts and buttons for convenient touchscreen navigation. When a user enters into any WinVRS window with input prompts, an on-screen keyboard appears.
It’s What’s Inside That Counts
What are some other features metal recyclers need to look for inside a truck scale?
There are several attributes recyclers ought to take into account when making the decision to purchase a 70 foot long truck scale, which includes deck plate thickness.
Recyclers are normally handling a high traffic frequency daily on their truck scales, so weighing machine strength becomes a important aspect. For instance, Cardinal Scale produces truck scales with 3/8″ thick steel decks for maximum strength and resiliency to handle hefty loads over the long haul for exceptional overall performance.
An additional quality element to look for is factory-assembled load cells secured in the truck scale. Every Cardinal truck scale is 100 percent factory assembled and examined prior to shipping to a job location. This requires calibrating the whole 60 foot long truck scale to make sure appropriate set-up before shipping for exceptional accuracy.
Usually, a 70-foot-long truck scale dimensions are sought after in the recycling business to be in a position to allow for weighing semi-tractor trailers. Stainless steel load cells and a NEMA 4X stainless steel junction box for load cell wiring can also be important to check for when making the decision to buy a vehicle scale.