When is a weighbridge not a weighbridge? - When it’s a ThruWeigh axle weigher

• 
• 1st December 2006
• Materials Handling
 

Leading weighbridge manufacturer Weightron Bilanciai have developed a ground breaking software system that converts a standard pit mounted weighbridge into a dynamic in-motion axle weigher at the push of a button, and without the need for any mechanical modifications.

Overloaded axles cause major damage to our roads and fines are very onerous for operators. In many applications, the high accuracy weighing of all vehicles going over a particular weighbridge is not necessary: the operator may just want to check if the vehicle is overloaded. Carrying out static weighing on every vehicle in this situation can lead to unwanted delays and bottlenecks. In addition, measuring the total weight of a vehicle does not always detect individual overloaded axles. Fitting supplementary dedicated axle weighers to check vehicles is a relatively expensive exercise.

Weightron’s new ThruWeigh system can weigh vehicles at speeds up to 5 km per hour and has a number of built in features to optimise the weighing procedure. Depending on the approach surface, individual axle weights can be measured within 1%. The system is suitable for any pit weighbridge fitted with the company’s D800 Dialogic indicator and digital load cells, provided it has suitable approach access. For weighbridges fitted with standard analogue load cells, Weightron claim that upgrading the load cells and indicator is still a much lower option than fitting an axle weigher.

Depending on how the operator wants to weigh the vehicle, the system is set to either standard or dynamic weighing. In dynamic mode, as the vehicle drives onto the weighbridge, the system measures and records the first axle weight. When the second axle comes onto the deck, the system automatically subtracts the first axle weight from the new weight reading to give the second axle weight. This procedure continues until all the axles have been individually weighed and recorded.

As soon an overloaded axle is detected, a signal is generated which can be used to trigger an audio or visual alarm. If drivers try to cheat by driving a wheel over the edge of the weighbridge, the system automatically detects the corresponding weight change and initiates an alarm.

The ThruWeigh is expected to find application in a wide range of industries and applications and is particularly suitable for busy quarries, ports and waste sites. The system can be used with a range of ‘detect and control’ peripherals including vehicle recognition systems, barriers and traffic lights. Operators can also take advantage of Weightron’s Telemaintenance™ remote service and support package.
 

Weightron Bilanciai Ltd
Titan Works
Bridge Way - off Broombank Road
Chesterfield Trading Estate
Chesterfield
Derbyshire S41 9QJ
Tel: 01246 260062
Fax: 01246 260844

Associated Links

• Hub-4 Profile of Weightron Bilanciai Ltd
• Weightron Bilanciai Ltd Company Website