Challenge
A charter airline needs to weigh all items placed on an aircraft, including passengers and luggage. Each item loaded must be noted as to its location on the aircraft. Scales are placed on the tarmac, near the planes. The weight information then needs to be logged locally on the scale, and then communicated by email to an off site location. The data is formatted so that it can transfer into an existing software application.
Previously, this information was all entered by hand into a laptop computer. The data was sent by email to the offsite location where it needed to be broken out by field, and then transcribed into the application.
Solution
The Arlyn UpScale digital weight indicator was chosen for the scales, due to its easy to use and intuitive color touchscreen, along with its features and ability to customize. Utilizing the Android operating system, the user can scroll between drop down menus for multiple functions. The bright 7 inch color screen can be easily viewed in an outdoor environment.
An internal database can store thousands of weight readings. Since each item being weighed needed to have its location recorded, a user defined field was assigned for this purpose. The scale has the ability to be web connected through an Ethernet port, or Wi-Fi. Since the scales were being used outdoors at the airports, Wi-Fi hotspots were set up. Email addresses can be entered into the UpScale indicator allowing the weight data to be sent in a universal data format, in this case CSV.
The Arlyn scale platforms, at 20” x 27”, are large enough to accept people, carry-ons and luggage. They include stainless steel load cells for robust, reliable operation. The welded aluminum construction provides but strength and light weight, allowing the scales to be easily placed in position.
Results
The airline now has the ability to quickly, accurately and easily collect and report the required weight data.
