Category Archives: Load Cells

Strain Gauge Load Cell Designs From Cardinal Scale Manufacturing

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But in today’s ultra competitive climate, it’s getting very difficult to find domestic built load cells. In fact we wrote about that not too long ago, you can click here to see that article.

Today I wanted to look at several of the load cell designs that are available from Cardinal that distributors like Central Carolina Scale sell everyday. Of course, load cells convert force into an electrical signal and are a very important part of things like hanging scales, truck scales, floor scales, and many other medical or industrial weighing systems. The load cell sensor detects force and moves the strain gauge, which then measures the movement as an electrical signal that can be used to give power to the scale.

Located in Webb City Missouri, Cardinal Scale Mfg. is one of the largest load cell and strain gauge providers in the U.S. with their own state-of-the-art load cell facility. Cardinal features a wide variety of load cells for use with all weighing systems. From powerful aluminum alloy electronic load cells to durable stainless steel load cells, each model is available in a range of capacities. Continue reading →

Zemic Load Cell Wiring and Part Numbers

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At Central Carolina Scale, we have a wide range of standard load cells in stock. If you’re looking for custom load cells, we can get quotes on those, usually within one business day.  We also provide weighing assemblies used in tank weighing and batching systems and bulk weighing applications. With over 30,000 quality items available in stock, nobody offers faster, more reliable load cells for your applications. From small tension sensors to 1,000,000 lb capacity truck scale and tank weighing assemblies, we have solutions to fit any need. Our extensive inventory of equipment and accessories means you can get your replacement or new load cell quickly.

Zemic Load Cell Wiring

We currently offer the lineup of Zemic load cells through one of our top suppliers Brecknell Scales. The lineup of Brecknell load cells and supporting products from Zemic are ideal for many weighing applications that you may encounter. The full range of Zemic load cells should compliment and support your service and original equipment requirements. Be sure to visit our site which includes all the Brecknell loadcell info you need. This will also show the load cell wiring color codes for each load cell as well. The types of load cells include S-beam, Single end beam, Double end beam, Single point, Canister, and accessories like load cell feet and summing boards. Many of the Brecknell load cells are interchangeable with the “brand name” load cells that you’re used to. So if your normal brand name load cell is out Continue reading →

Is It Alright To Cut Load Cell Cable?

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A customer recently asked us about cutting load cell cable because the cable was too long for his particular application.  The standard line of thinking is that you should not cut load cell cable because it may void the manufacturer’s warranty. Are there any recommendations for altering load cell cable that might be different than cutting?

Actually, there are several things you can do in these types of situations. Many load cell manufacturers recommend NOT altering (shortening) the load cell cable length, and most manufacturers will not honor the warranty on altered products. However, for the majority of load cell installations, any output change resulting from cable length alteration is easily compensated for with a junction box with trimming capability. Excess cable should be coiled and secured within the junction box (if it will fit.) 

If the excess cable will not fit inside the junction box, it will need to be coiled, and secured externally to the junction box with wire ties, or other suitable means. If the cables are routed in conduit, and excess cable will not fit within the junction box, then the only option may be to cut the cable(s) to length.

load cell cable

What if the load cell cable is too short? Well, we recommend avoiding splicing when possible; however, if you need to gain cable length, it is very important to use the correct splicing technique. Ensure the integrity of the cable is maintained, including voltage, current (signal) ratings, shielding, moisture resistance, and tensile strength. Our recommendation is to use a potted cable splicing kit when possible. If you need a reusable splice point, a sealed junction box may be used.  We hope this helps you understand shortening and lengthening load cell cable for specific applications.

Get Started with Central Carolina Scale

We are committed to providing high quality scale repair services for your weighing equipment, factory trained technicians to install and maintain your equipment, including regular calibration, servicing, troubleshooting, and repairs. Contact us today to discuss your scale needs.

Can I Buy An American Made Load Cell?

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You know we get asked this question usually about once every three months so we figured that we’d throw together a quick write up on the blog to give you an answer to the question.

And that question is, can I buy a Made in the USA load cell?

The answer is……

YES!

american made load cell

We also have a wide variety of Made in the USA load cells from Artech Industries.  They are based in California and build just about every type of load cell that you can imagine in their Riverside, California load cell factory.  Artech Industries is a major supplier of strain gauge load cells / force transducers for a wide variety of industrial and OEM applications. They rely on proven engineering innovations, careful manufacturing and quality control procedures have built an enviable reputation and record of performance since 1985.

We know that buying Made in America weighing products is important to many of our customers and we appreciate your loyalty and share your enthusiasm for Made in the USA equipment. If this is important to you please let us know before we process a quote or before we provide service on your scales. The reason we say this is many times when we are asked to quote on scales or parts we often choose the best overall product (price/durability) and often that is an imported item. So, if Made in the USA is very important to you, let us know and we would be happy to quote you an American Made scale or load cell if we can.

Chemical and Petrochemical Industry

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Weighing scales and systems from Avery Weigh-Tronix can help chemical companies control costs, balance regulatory and safety concerns in a safe manner whilst still ensuring operational effectiveness. Our range of scales have been designed to stand up to harsh chemical industry conditions with many having features specially designed for hazardous or corrosive environments. They can all be paired with sophisticated software and indicators to create weighing systems capable of controlling, monitoring and recording production and output.

Weighing scales and systems from Avery Weigh-Tronix can help monitor incoming feedstock, control production inputs and measure finished nutrients for accurate billing. Our range of scales are suitable for full truckloads, drums, palletized product and other, smaller loads. Load cells and weigh bars can be placed underneath tanks and vessels to create a complete weighing system which can include process control, recipe formulation and data transmission.

For pesticide manufacturing, weighing scales and systems from AWTX can help monitor incoming feedstock, control production inputs and measure finished nutrients for accurate billing. Our range of scales are suitable for full truck loads, drums, products on a pallet and other, smaller loads.

Avery Weigh-Tronix’s truck scales, floor scales, forklift truck scales and bench scales can measure inbound feedstock or finished pesticides. Our load cells and Weighbars can be placed underneath tanks and vessels to create a complete weighing system which can include process control, recipe formulation and data transmission.

Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing Weighing scales and systems from Avery Weigh-Tronix help control cost and quality in inorganic chemical manufacturing. Paints, pigments and dyes companies utilize Avery Weigh-Tronix’s weighing scales and systems to help coatings and colorant producers produce precisely formulated products, as well as in the inbound and outbound logistics of the paints, pigments and dyes industry.

When it comes to the petroleum and industrial gasses market, our weighing systems help the petrochemical industry control costs, control processes and prevent overloading and are suitable for use in corrosive, ATEX and other harsh environments found in the petroleum industry. The pharmaceutical industry relies on Avery Weigh-Tronix’s weighing scales and systems help pharma manufacturing companies by monitoring incoming feedstock, controlling the production process and measuring output. Polymers, rubber and artificial fibers count on Avery Weigh-Tronix’s weighing scales and systems which can help manufacturers of polymers, rubber products and artificial fibers to control costs during production. Solvents, sealants, adhesives and resins companies use weighing scales and systems from Avery Weigh-Tronix to help producers of solvents, sealants, adhesives and resins to precisely control both inputs and production, producing a high quality, cost efficient product.

Cardinal S-Type Load Cells

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Cardinal’s stainless steel tension load cells are ideally suited for single or multiple load cell tension applications. Simplicity of design permits their use in a wide variety of configurations. The ZX250, 500 and 1000 load cells are potted with a proprietary waterproof sealant that remains flexible over the life of the load cell and protects the load cell strain gauges over a broad temperature range. Load cells ZX-2500 and up have the gauge cavity sealed by a welded stainless steel cup. Metric threads are available on most models. NTEP legal-for-trade certified. Available capacities range from 250 lb / 113 kg to 20,000 lb / 9072 kg.

Click below to see the literature on the Cardinal’s ZX series stainless steel tension load cells with quality. The ZX series is the superior choice for single or multiple load cell tension applications. These cells are NTEP certified for use in commerce and capacities range from 250 lb to 20,000 lb.

There is also new literature available for Cardinal’s Z series tension load cells. These waterproof tension load cells are ideally suited for single load cell tension applications. Fabricated from aircraft-quality aluminum alloy, these cells offer a cost-effective solution to many tension applications. They are potted with a proprietary sealant that provides for superior water protection and remains flexible over the lifespan of the load cell. The cells feature threaded holes on each end for hanger assemblies.

CenterPoint Series Tank And Hopper Weighing Systems Offer High Quality

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Cardinal Scale’s new CenterPoint series Tank and Hopper Weighing Systems utilize double-ended shear beam stainless steel load cells with center load design for optimum efficiency in mixing, blending, batching, inventory control, and general weighing.

The bolt-in-place mounting assembly with articulating top plate makes them ideal for indoor or outdoor weighing applications. Available in three or four legged mounting assemblies with mild or stainless steel stands and self-checking sliding pin design, the Cardinal CenterPoint load cell kits may be combined with one of Cardinal’s state-of-the-art 200 series weight indicators for a complete digital weighing system.

Ideal for new installations or conversions, each kit comes complete with three or four stainless steel IP68 load cells, your choice of mild or stainless steel mounting assemblies, 30 feet of load cell cable, and one stainless steel junction box.

Features and Benefits
* Environmentally-sealed stainless steel load cells
* Self-checking, low-profile mounting assemblies bolt directly to floor and tank
* Light to heavy capacity mounting assemblies available
* Ideal for new installations or conversions
* Rugged bolt-in-place hardware design
* System capacities up to 200,000 pounds

Load Cell Sealing

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There is more to a load cell than is it an alloy steel load cell or stainless steel load cell?  Load cells also have a lot of different sealing types. What’s the difference? How do you choose what load cell to buy?

The majority of us aren’t industry experts on load cell production. But when you comprehend the fundamentals subsequently selecting the best one will be considerably less difficult. Let’s begin with straightforward weighing jobs. At the very least, the majority of load cells are environmentally sealed. What does that suggest? It implies that the internal gauge area is protected with potting, and determined by design you might find either a rubber boot or glued metal plate guarding that location too. Environmentally sealed load cells are designed for simple indoor/outdoor use-not frequent moisture contact. You’ll see these cells produced from a variety of material; aluminum, alloy or stainless-steel. Continue reading →

Common Questions Answered Regarding Counting Scales

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Counting Scales are very similar to other scales in terms of weighing, but the counting scale does two additional functions, by performing operations in division and multiplication based on the internal resolution.  Please continue reading below as Jim Daggon and Ann Crowley from Rice Lake Weighing Systems answer some of the common questions relating to counting scales like the Digi DC-300, Digi DC-190, DC-788 and the DC-782.

1. What is internal resolution?
The internal resolution of a counting scale is the number of divisions into which it divides the total capacity of the scale.

Example: A 50 lb counting scale with 1 million count resolution divides up the 50 lb into 1,000,000 parts. This means each internal resolution is translated to 50/1,000,000 or 0.00005 lb.All of the weights are calculated on this basis. For example, if some parts were placed on the counting scale, and the internal calculation was 210 internal counts, the weight to be displayed would be 210 times 0.00005 lb = 0.01050 lb. Since the weight display might only be five digits, then the weight display would be 0.01 lb. This is the external resolution. (rounded off).

The operator can key in the sample quantity—for example, ten pieces. The scale still “knows” how many internal counts are being used (210) and now divides that number by 10 to get the number of internal counts per piece (210/10 = 21). Continue reading →

Happy Easter

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We sincerely hope you and your families enjoyed peace and happiness as we celebrate Passover and Easter.

In an era of sea change for weighing equipment and its distribution, certain important brand attributes remain the same for Pennsylvania brand scales.  Consistent, flexible treatment; Made in USA quality; long Warranties; 15-20 year service life (in a world of throwaway equipment); Technician-friendly products; and a commitment to our customers.  Continue reading →