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With the downturn in the economy, everyone is looking for ways to save. One major way to do this is by lowering transportation costs. To make sure you are getting charged correctly, weighing each load is more important than ever. The EZ WeighIntegrated Scale (patent pending) includes load cells that are built into the frame of the stretch wrapper. Modern stretch wrappers can incorporate scales devices into the machine itself or rest on a platform scale. Most platform scales weigh everything that is on them, which includes the load, machine and anything else that is sitting on the platform. The weight of the machine is subtracted from the overall weight so that only the load weight should be displayed on the readout. If anything in addition to the load and machine is sitting on the platform, it will be included in the weight. This inaccuracy can result in increased freight costs.
When using pallet jacks, a ramp is necessary to load the stretch wrapper. Because of the height of most platform designs and ramp pitch to load the machine, a custom ramp that is considerably longer, and in most cases more expensive, is required. Integrating the scale or weighing device into the machine provides a footprint similar to the machine itself and is smaller than a platform design. When you have a limited amount of space for the stretch wrapper and scale system, a small footprint is crucial. When the integrated scale design increases the height of the turntable, a ramp may require a base extension in order to connect the ramp to the machines turntable.
Multiple integrated designs are available. Some integrated designs have the weigh system under the entire machine. This creates weight accuracy issues because they not only weigh what’s on the turntable but anything that is sitting on the machine. If you are being charged based on what a load weighs, you may be unknowingly overcharged due to weighing items that are not part of the load being shipped. In all cases, it’s always important to check what you documented as the load weight against what the freight company is weighing for accuracy.
The most accurate design incorporates the scale under the turntable. This ensures only what should be weighed, is weighed, and what you are charged to ship is correct. There are two under the turntable weighing designs – connected and separated. Keeping the mast and turntable “connected” eliminates portability issues that occur when mast and turntable are “separated”.
There are a variety of designs to choose, all of which help with quality control and provide opportunity to monitor freight costs. If you want to save space and avoid potential loading problems from pushing heavy loads up long ramps, you want an integrated rather than a platform configuration. If you want it all - accuracy, smaller footprint, and the most convenience - then an integrated scale under the stretch wrapper turntable is the best choice.
LanTech
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