Ten rules for installing a belt scale
Alignment, belt tensioning, and environmental factors commonly cause problem with belt scale operation and accuracy. You can help control these factors by carefully installing your belt scale using the 10 rules discussed here. Also refer to the more detailed installation instructions included with your belt scale. While the illustrations in this article show single-idler belt scales, the information also applies to multiple-idler units.
A belt scale improves material handling efficiency by combining weighing with belt conveying. The concept is relatively simple: One [or more] weigh idler is mounted beneath a conveyor belt, replacing one [or more] of the conveyor's other idlers. The area encompassing three approach and three retreat idlers on either side of the weigh idler [or idlers] is called the scale influential zone. The weigh idler [or idlers] is linked to a load cell that senses the material load on the belt as the material is conveyed over the weigh idler. The load cell signal is sent to an integrator that calculates the flowrate and total material weight by combining the weight signal with the belt speed.