A Guide to Checkweighing

Checkweighing is an important part of many processing and production lines, enabling operators to quickly check the weight of products. In this guide, we will highlight the benefits that checkweighing can offer.

What is Checkweighing?

Checkweighing scales (checkweighers) enable the user to quickly check the weight of a product to confirm that it is between two pre-determined limits. Checkweighers help maintain strict quality control by ensuring the product is within limits. Any product which falls either side the limits may be adjusted or corrected so that it meets the specification. It is important that each product is the same weight so that manufacturers do not lose profit by over-delivering or that the customer is not short changed, which can damage company reputation.

Specific features of the checkweigher will vary with model, but most will have a clear indicator on the balance screen. Additionally, checkweighing scales may also have an audible and/or visual signal to increase efficiency, which in turn saves money since they can reduce the amount of time spent on repetitive weighing tasks.

Where are Checkweighers Used?

Checkweighers are commonly used within production facilities, in packing facilities and in product dispatch to ensure goods meet the required specifications. Typical industries that employ checkweighing include: pharmaceutical, food, automotive, cosmetic & personal care, transport, chemical and beverage. Typically, checkweighers may be used to:

-identify product which is over or under weight

-help reduce waste, by preventing product giveaway

-check for missing items in a pack such as leaflet

-checking for missing pack in a case

-ensure regulatory compliance (e.g. net content in pre-packed goods)

-meet reporting standards (e.g. OIML, FPVO, FDA)

What are the Benefits of Checkweighing?

Checkweighing helps to ensure that each product is correct the first time around and will minimise the need for packaging and shipping additional items that may be required to address a shortfall. Customer satisfaction is extremely important, it is imperative to ensure that product is consistent to protect the brand and the reputation.

Often manufacturers will employ a ‘100% product inspection’ as part of quality control specifications depending on industry regulations or standards, and checkweighing balances are the quickest way to perform such tasks.

Many sectors employ checkweighers in their day-to-day processes. For example, within the automotive industry checkweighing is used to count small components before assembly into other parts. Often, after sub-assembly is complete, the product will be weighed to ensure that it is correct and that there are no parts missing. This enables engineers to highlight defects before they pass the product to the next part of the manufacturing process.

Checkweighing is also commonly used within the food industry. Such balances and scales would need to be trade approved if the product is to be sold with a price that is directly linked to weight. Trade approved balances will have been approved by a local authority and certified for use. The use of a checkweigher on production lines or in the packing area helps to create an operation which is consistent in its output. It helps to reduce waste by maintaining portion size and helps to highlight any errors.

Checkweighing Balances from Precisa

The Precisa 520 Series features a checkweighing application as standard on both the PT and PB models, and both are OIML certified as trade approved scales. The balance emits a beep (which may be disabled) and displays a symbol with each measurement. The ‘–‘ symbol indicates that the measurement is less than the specified lower limit. The ‘+’ symbol indicates that the measurement is above the upper limit. The ‘→II←’ symbol indicates that the measurement is within the limits.

Additionally, Precisa offer as accessories a signal light (indicator with 3 lamps, green/red/yellow) and a horn for the signal light that are suitable for use with the checkweighing application.

The Precisa 520 Series analytical and precision balances are trade approved. The Series 520 balances contain the innovative PHASTbloc™ (Precisa Hybrid Advanced Sensor Technology). This advanced weighing technology is the culmination of over 40 years of knowledge and experience and unites the benefits of a conventional weighing cell and monolithic design. This enables the efficient maintenance and repair of a weighing cell instead of replacing it – sustainability in practice. Advanced materials, Swiss engineering and unique manufacturing methods lift quality and performance to new heights.

To find out more about trade approved balances which feature the checkweighing application please contact us.