In food processing and meat processing plants, weighing is not solely about determining the exact weight of a product. The scale must fit into the production processes, withstand intensive industrial use, and have a design that does not make regular cleaning more difficult.
When goods are moved on hand trucks, in crates or on pallets, another important consideration is how they can be transferred onto the weighing platform quickly and safely. In such environments, a stainless steel ultra-low-profile scale can be particularly advantageous, combining a low-profile design with a stainless steel construction and industrial weighing capabilities.
What type of scale is suitable for food processing environments?
Only an industrial scale whose materials, design and level of protection are suitable for the specific operating and cleaning conditions should be used in food processing or meat processing facilities.
In food processing plants, scales are often operated directly in production or material handling areas. They may be exposed to moisture, regular cleaning and intensive use, which is why selecting a scale involves more than simply considering its weighing capacity. The material of the construction, the protection of the load cells, the platform design, ease of cleaning and the way goods are placed onto the scale are all important considerations.
A suitable food industry scale is an integral part of the overall production process. If the design is chosen incorrectly, weighing can unnecessarily slow down material handling or require an installation that does not fit properly into the facility’s operations.
Why is a stainless steel scale advantageous in the food industry?
A stainless steel construction is well suited to environments where regular cleaning and wet operating conditions are expected. In food and meat processing, scales are often not used in dry warehouse environments. For this reason, the choice of materials is an important consideration for long-term use.
The Metripond-M93 LPS ultra-low-profile scale is also available in a fully stainless steel version. This can be particularly advantageous at weighing points where ease of cleaning and exposure to demanding environmental conditions make a conventional painted steel construction less suitable. However, when selecting the appropriate configuration, it is important to consider more than just the material of the platform. The level of protection provided by the load cells and the connected weighing indicator can also be a decisive factor.
What is the key advantage of an ultra-low-profile scale?
One of the main advantages of this type of scale is its low platform height, which can make it easier to move goods onto the weighing platform using a hand truck or other transport equipment.
The weighing platform of the Metripond-M93 LPS series is only 45 mm high. A single- or double-sided access ramp can be attached to the scale, making it easier to move the goods onto the platform. This is particularly important when a weighing point is used many times a day. A difference of just a few centimetres may seem insignificant for a single weighing operation, but during repeated material handling, it can have a direct impact on the efficiency of the workflow.
Can an ultra-low-profile scale be used in a meat processing plant?
With the appropriate stainless steel construction and technical configuration, an ultra-low-profile scale can also be used in meat processing environments.
In meat processing, raw materials and finished products are often transported in crates, on carts or using other types of handling equipment throughout the production process. The scale therefore needs not only sufficient weighing capacity, but also a design that fits the workflow. For example, the position of the access ramp can determine the direction from which the scale can be approached. A two-sided solution may be particularly suitable when goods are continuously moved in one direction and the scale forms part of a through-route within the production process.
In such cases, the meat processing scale does not function as a standalone weighing point but can be seamlessly integrated into the material handling process.
Is an ultra-low-profile scale easy to clean?
A properly designed stainless steel ultra-low-profile scale can be easier to keep clean than many conventional structures with difficult-to-access areas.
The M93 LPS scale is supported by four stainless steel load cells. The load cells have an IP67 protection rating, and the construction contains no moving or wear-prone parts.
When interpreting IP protection ratings, however, it is important to specify exactly which component is being referred to. The entire weighing system does not automatically have the same protection rating. The standard configuration may include a weighing indicator suitable for indoor use, but the scale can also be equipped with a stainless steel, IP67-rated indicator on request.
For this reason, when selecting a food industry scale, the environmental exposure of the entire system should always be considered.
What load capacity does a stainless steel ultra-low-profile scale have?
Different versions of the LPS series are available with weighing capacities ranging from 300 to 2,000 kg.
However, weighing capacity alone is not sufficient when selecting the right scale. The weight and dimensions of the products being weighed, the pallet or hand truck being used, and the required weighing accuracy must also be taken into account. LPS scales are available with several platform sizes, ranging from the smaller 1,000 × 850 mm weighing platform up to a 2,000 × 1,500 mm platform.
In practice, the goal is therefore not to automatically choose the scale with the highest load capacity. The appropriate weighing capacity and scale interval should be selected according to the specific application.
Can palletized goods be weighed on an ultra-low-profile scale?
Palletized goods can also be weighed, provided that the platform size, weighing capacity and design of the scale are suitable for the dimensions of the pallet and the goods.
When weighing palletized goods, it is not only the weight of the goods that needs to be taken into account. The weight of the pallet itself and the material handling method used must also be considered. It is equally important to determine how the pallet will be moved onto the weighing platform. Before selecting the scale, it is worth assessing the approach direction, the available space and the material handling practices used at the facility.
When is a certified industrial scale required?
A certified scale is required when the measured weight serves as the basis for an application for which regulations require the use of a certified measuring instrument.
The Metripond-M93 LPS scale is also available in a certified version with Class III accuracy. It is advisable to determine whether certification is required before purchasing the scale. This allows the weighing capacity, scale interval and entire weighing system to be configured from the outset according to the actual weighing application.
Can weighing data be transferred to a computer?
The weighing indicators used with the LPS scale can also be equipped with RS-232 and Ethernet computer interfaces.
An industrial scale is often no longer a standalone device. The measured weight data can become part of production, inventory management or enterprise resource planning processes. In some facilities, displaying the weighing result locally is sufficient. In others, further digital processing of the data or reducing manual data entry may be important.
When is a stainless steel ultra-low-profile scale a good choice?
It can be a particularly good solution when a low platform, stainless steel construction and an industrial scale suitable for use with hand trucks or palletized goods are required.
The LPS ultra-low-profile scale has a platform height of just 45 mm and can be used with a single- or double-sided access ramp. It is available in several platform sizes and with weighing capacities ranging from 300 to 2,000 kg. A fully stainless steel version is also available, and the scale is supported by IP67-rated stainless steel load cells. On request, it can also be equipped with a stainless steel, IP67-rated weighing indicator. The ultra-low-profile design can be particularly advantageous in food and meat processing environments where the weighing point needs to accommodate both regular cleaning and intensive material handling.
Learn more about the M93 LPS ultra-low-profile scale, or request a quote tailored to your weighing application.
