Custom Scales Applications

Standard scales satisfy many industrial weighing requirements, but some applications need a different platform size, sensor arrangement, enclosure, output, operator interface or control sequence. Arlyn Scales works directly with OEMs, manufacturers, laboratories and process operators to design and configure weighing systems around these requirements.

Custom projects may involve a complete industrial scale, a weighing platform incorporated into existing equipment, individual load cells, digital instrumentation, software, automation or a combination of these elements.

For help planning a project, review the custom industrial scale selection guide or send Arlyn your application requirements.

What Can Be Customized?

Customization availability depends on the product, engineering requirements and required approvals. The final scope, price and production schedule should be confirmed through a written quotation.

Custom Load Cells and Weighing Sensors

Arlyn designs and produces industrial weighing sensors for standard products and specialized systems. A custom sensor arrangement may be useful when a conventional platform will not fit the equipment or when weight measurement must be built directly into an existing structure.

Applications may include:

• Tanks, vessels, hoppers and silos
• Conveyors and Checkweighing stations
• Laundry and material-handling carts
• Storage racks and inventory bins
• OEM machinery
• Custom frames and process equipment
• Gas cylinders and container-monitoring systems

The manufacturer must evaluate the total load, mounting points, load distribution, expected side loads, shock, vibration and environmental conditions. A load cell’s rated capacity alone is not enough to determine suitability.

Standard or Ultra Precision Measurement Technology

Standard strain-gauge technology is suitable for many industrial weighing applications. It can provide an economical balance of capacity, durability and readability for general production, shipping, inventory and container weighing.

Arlyn’s Ultra Precision scales and sensors should be considered when the process requires finer measurement performance at industrial capacities. Ultra Precision is particularly useful for formulation, closely controlled additions, parts counting and other processes where small weight differences can affect quality or cost.

Ultra Precision is not automatically necessary for every custom application. Compare the required process tolerance with the complete specifications of the proposed system.

Custom Platforms and Mechanical Configurations

A standard platform may be unsuitable when the load has unusual dimensions, concentrated support points or limited installation clearance. Custom platforms can also be useful when an existing cart, tank, fixture or machine must sit directly on the weighing surface.

Platform design may require evaluation of:

• Maximum gross load
• Load dimensions and center of gravity
• Off-center and point loading
• Platform deflection
• Forklift, pallet-jack or cart access
• Ramps and restraints
• Available height and floor space
• Cleaning and maintenance access

Industrial Connectivity and Data Integration

Custom scales frequently need to communicate with existing equipment. Depending on the chosen scale and indicator, available interfaces can include:

• RS-232, RS-422 and RS-485
• USB communication
• Ethernet TCP/IP
• Wi-Fi
• Analog outputs such as 4–20 mA or voltage
• Modbus
• EtherNet/IP
• PROFINET
• Web API access
• USB or network-based data logging

Not every interface is available on every scale. Provide the receiving device, physical connection, protocol, required data format and desired update behavior before the system is configured. Review current scale communication options.

Arlyn UpScale Touchscreen Integration

The Arlyn UpScale Touchscreen can provide a configurable operator interface for compatible weighing systems. Available functions may include custom fields, user management, barcode workflows, checkweighing, data logging and network communication.

Through Third-Party Scale Integration, UpScale can also receive the weight-data stream from compatible existing displays. This allows some organizations to expand their data and operator workflows without replacing the underlying weighing platform.

Adding UpScale does not improve the original scale’s capacity, readability, accuracy or environmental rating. It expands the interface and data functionality.

Automated Filling, Batching and Dispensing

Weight can be used to support automated or semi-automated production processes. A configured system may operate feeders, pumps, valves, mixers, alarms or other equipment as a target weight is approached or reached.

Potential applications include:

• Filling containers, drums, totes or sacks
• Dispensing ingredients in sequence
• Batching multiple materials
• Changing from fast feed to slow feed
• Activating high- or low-weight alarms
• Accepting or rejecting products during checkweighing

The number of materials, target weights, acceptable tolerances, output types, timing and overshoot behavior should be documented before configuration. Scale outputs must be incorporated into a properly engineered control system; safety interlocks and emergency stops should not depend solely on an ordinary weighing indicator.

Custom Scale Application Examples

Parts Counting and Inventory Monitoring

Scale platforms or sensors can monitor bins, racks or containers. Weight data can be used to estimate the number of uniform parts and report inventory changes to a compatible software system.

Laundry Cart and Mobile Container Weighing

Weight sensors can be incorporated into carts or weighing stations to measure their contents. Data may be sent to a local indicator, tablet or central record system.

Conveyor Checkweighing

A scale incorporated into a conveyor can compare measured package weight with an expected range. Compatible outputs may support alarms, product rejection or downstream records.

Gas Cylinder and Container-Level Monitoring

Because the remaining contents of some liquefied-gas cylinders cannot be determined reliably from pressure alone, continuous weight monitoring can be used to generate low-level alerts or support container changeover.

Paint, Chemical and Ingredient Formulation

Precision weighing can help operators or automated systems add pigments, chemicals and other ingredients to a defined formula. The required scale depends on the batch size, smallest addition and operating environment.

Tank, Vessel and Hopper Weighing

Custom load cells and instrumentation can measure material stored or processed inside tanks, silos, hoppers and other vessels. Mechanical mounting and load distribution are critical to performance.

Quality-Control and Completeness Checking

Weight can help verify that packages, kits or assemblies contain the expected material. A checkweighing workflow may provide high, low or acceptable results and record the transaction.

Wet, Corrosive and Washdown Environments

Tell Arlyn whether the scale will be exposed to water, cleaning chemicals, acids, salts, solvents or other corrosive materials. Stainless steel, protective coatings and sealed enclosures may be appropriate, depending on the application.

Stainless steel construction does not automatically make an entire system suitable for washdown. Confirm the environmental rating and approved cleaning method for the platform, load cells, indicator, cables and connectors.

Hazardous and Classified Locations

Standard electrical equipment cannot be used in every hazardous location. When an application is formally classified because of combustible gases, vapors or dusts, the exact scale configuration must be suitable for that classification.

Provide the documented class, division or zone, material group and temperature requirements. A stainless steel platform, low-voltage circuit or battery supply does not by itself make a weighing system intrinsically safe. Review ArlynGuard scales for approved configurations.

Information Needed for a Custom Scale Request

Include as much of the following information as possible:

• Minimum and maximum gross load
• Required readability, accuracy or process tolerance
• Load and container dimensions
• Drawings, photographs or installation diagrams
• Loading method and expected off-center loads
• Temperature, vibration and environmental exposure
• Power requirements
• Indicator and operator-interface requirements
• Computer, PLC, network or software information
• Data format and record-retention requirements
• Control sequence and output requirements
• Required approvals or certifications
• Quantity and desired schedule

How a Custom Weighing Project Works

1. Define the requirement: Document the load, environment, measurement and workflow.
2. Review the application: Arlyn evaluates whether a standard, configured or custom system is appropriate.
3. Confirm the scope: Platform, sensors, electronics, software, options, price and schedule are defined.
4. Design and build: The approved system is fabricated and configured.
5. Test the system: The weighing and interface functions are checked against the agreed scope.
6. Install and integrate: The customer incorporates the scale into the process using the supplied documentation and agreed support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Discuss a Custom Weighing Application

Call Arlyn Scales at 800-645-4301 or use the online contact form. Include your load range, dimensions, environment, required measurement performance and integration needs so the team can evaluate the project.