Weigh Bridges
Weigh Bridges are machines for weighing vehicles, etc., by means of a metal plate set into a road.Weigh bridges weigh vehicles dependably and accurately, even in tough industrial environments. Each weigh bridge is built to last with a rugged design, robust weight sensors and high quality manufacturing .Weigh bridges come in either steel or concrete to suit any application. These rugged vehicle scales can be either surface or pit mounted, depending on the location and use of the scale. Weight is measured by load cells made of stainless steel with cables protected by sheaths.Weight is displayed and printed out on an electronic terminal with a printer.
Weigh Bridge is a large set of scales, usually mounted permanently on a concrete foundation, that is used to weigh entire vehicles and their contents. By weighing the vehicle both empty and when loaded, the load carried by the vehicle can be calculated.The key component that uses a weigh bridge in order to make the weigh measurement is load cells.
Design
Weigh bridges can be surface mounted with a ramp leading up a short distance and the weighing equipment underneath or they can be pit mounted with the weighing equipment and platform in a pit so that the weighing surface is level with the road. They are typically built from steel or concrete and by nature are extremely robust.
In earlier versions the bridge is installed over a rectangular pit that contains levers that ultimately connect to a balance mechanism. The most complex portion of this type is the arrangement of levers underneath the weigh bridge since the response of the scale must be independent of the distribution of the load.Modern devices use multiple load cells that connect to an electronic equipment to totalize the sensor inputs. In either type of semi-permanent scale the weight readings are typically recorded in a nearby hoser hut or office.Many weigh bridges are now linked to a personal computer which runs truck scale software capable of printing tickets and providing reporting features.
Uses
Weigh bridges can be used for two main purposes:
- Selling or charging by weight over the bridge
- Check weighing both axle weights and gross vehicle weights. This helps to stop axle overloading and possible heavy fines.
They are used in industries that manufacture or move bulk items, such as in mines or quarries, garbage dumps or recycling centers, bulk liquid and powder movement, household goods, and electrical equipment. Since the weight of the vehicle carrying the goods is known they are a quick and easy way to measure the flow of bulk goods in and out of different locations.
A single axle truck scale or axle weighing system can be used to check individual axle weights and gross vehicle weights to determine whether the vehicle is safe to travel on the public highway without being stopped and fined by the authorities for being overloaded. Similar to the full size truck scale these systems can be pit mounted with the weighing surface flush to the level of the roadway or surface mounted. For many uses weigh bridges have been largely supplanted by simple and thin electronic weigh cells, over which a vehicle is slowly driven. A computer records the output of the cell and accumulates the total vehicle weight. By weighing the force of each axle it can be assured that the vehicle is within statutory limits, which typically will impose a total vehicle weight, a maximum weight within an axle span limit and an individual axle limit. The former two limits ensure the safety of bridges while the latter protects the road surface.