BERND KNOLL
Product Manager,
HBM GmbH
output. Featuring an accuracy
class C4 per OIML R60 and a
maximum scale division Y of
25,000, digital load cells, such
as the FIT7A load cell from
HBM, offer total precision and
allow overfill to be kept to a
minimum.
In addition, as dynamic
movements and vibrations
require sophisticated
digital signal processing
and calculation methods to
determine the correct weight
in a very short time, SG-load
cells now make it possible
to achieve more than 180
weighing processes per
minutes, resulting in faster and
ultimately, more productive
packaging processes.
A load cell
is only able to make
full use of its strength
and specification in
combination with the
final design of the
machine,
Extremely robust in comparison
to traditional load cells, digital
load cells are also less likely
to be damaged and can be
easily replaced. Featuring a
smooth stainless steel surface,
digital load cells can be cleaned
quickly and easily, which
makes for short down times
and correspondingly higher
availability.
Dealing with malfunctions
In order to achieve a productive
weighing and packaging
process, a smooth running
production line is a necessity.
The digital diagnostic channel
can be used to analyse results
during operation, predicting any
potential errors or malfunctions
and for this reason, digital
solutions, with their wide range
of possibilities, are in greater
demand than ever before.
Interaction: Installation into
existing designs
A load cell is only able to make
full use of its strength and
specification in combination
with the final design of
the machine. Ideally the
component and the machine
should meld together, therefore
it is important for the sensor
elements to be integrated
into the machine design as
seamlessly and compact as
possible, and this is where
digital load cells come into
their own. Easily integrated
into existing machines and
weighers, digital load cells are
the ideal choice when it comes
to renovations
Optimum communication:
software embedding
In the context of the Industrial
Internet or Industry 4.0,
communication and software
are also becoming ever
more important for dynamic
weighing. The PanelX software
for configuring FIT7A load
cells from HBM, for example,
has an intuitive user interface,
optionally available with touch
control to adjust all parameters
for measurement. In addition,
PanelX can also be used to
adjust load cells, select the
bus address and baud rate,
and enter the limit values with
hysteresis and for graphical
analysis and for realisation of
measurement results.
Conclusion
A look at today’s market
shows that the advanced
development of strain gauge
based load cells makes them
an excellent alternative to load
cells based on electromagnetic
force compensation. Precise,
durable and reliable, they deal
masterfully with malfunctions
and can be easily integrated
seamlessly into most machine
designs.
Precise, durable and
reliable, they deal
masterfully with
malfunctions and can
be easily integrated
seamlessly into most
machine designs.
As machine manufacturers are
confronted with the demand
for greater precision and higher
speed, particularly in the food
market, we can see how, whilst
this may be a challenge for
machine manufacturers, it is
in fact an opportunity to get
a firm footing in other growth
markets, if they have the right
response to the demand.
The new generation of SGbased load cells, such as the
FIT7A from HBM, offer huge
gains in precision and speed
for processing measurement
data and are particularly well
suited for dynamic weighing
processes.
For further information on the
FIT7A digital load cell, contact
HBM on +44 (0) 20 8515
6000 or via email: info@
uk.hbm.co.uk or visit the
HBM website at www.hbm.
com/en/menu/seminars/
seminar-calendar/
Founded in Germany in
1950, HBM is today the
technology and market
leader in the field of test and
measurement. HBM’s product
range comprises solutions
for the entire measurement
chain, from virtual to physical
testing. The company has
production facilities in
Germany, USA and China
and is represented in over 80
countries worldwide.
Issue 17 PECM
9