Batch weighing today
With technical developments and evolution of time, batch weighing has become quite sophisticated. Sequentially adding ingredients to a weigh hopper is the basis of batch weighing but by no means constitutes batch weighing. Today's batch controller includes software algorithms to automatically adjust cutoffs of ingredients and correct for slow gates and free-fall material. Formulas can be stored in nonvolatile memory and later recalled. Operator interaction has evolved to allow product formula access to only a select group of plant personnel with security clearance.
Today's batch controller records all batch transactions to permit post analysis of actual weights delivered, process errors overridden, operator ID, and time and date of each event. Host computers and control systems must be able to control, monitor, and communicate with stand- alone batch controllers. Lately, this requirement bas included the ability to network batch controllers on a single serial bus. In addition, batch controllers are expected to not only keep track of the amount of ingredient available and used, but also the amount of each batch produced. And this information must be available on a printer or over the serial port.