Tag Archives: avery weigh-tronix

ZK840 Counting Scale

A few weeks ago, we had a private demo of the Avery Weigh-Tronix ZK840 counting scale. This scale has been shown to be multifunctional. It can be used as a weighing and counting scale, bench scale, precision checkweigher, and as a grading solution. The ZK840 is programmable and has the ability to be fully customized.

To help with inventory control, productivity and efficiency, the counting scale quickly and accurately counts large numbers of identical parts. The internal database can store approximately 5000 piece weights which allows for real-time stock data. If you need more data, there is the option to link an external database system, PLU Lookup. This enables users to control data for hundreds of thousands of parts, supporting up to 32 linked scales.

The checkweighing application determines whether the package falls within tolerance, whether any components are missing or detects minute changes in processes. The QA messaging option allows for quality checks throughout the process. Under, over and within spec LED bands quickly inform the operator of the results.

The balance application supports Good Laboratory Practices, has over 1 billion internal counts and a readability of over 3.5 million divisions which allows the scale to be used in various settings, from laboratories to production lines. Key features include automatic calculations of density formulations, percentage recipe weighing and GLP recalibration.

The grading application segregates items into different weight bands. Data records quantities and weight totals for each grade. If there’s a maximum quantity per box, the scale can tell when it’s full and move to the next box. Reverse grading is also an option, designed to weigh each item as it is removed from the full box of products.

With Quartzell Technology, the ZK840 Counting Scale has an accuracy of over 99.75%. This is a highly prevalent piece of equipment used particularly for weighing and measuring solutions to make your manufacturing processes more efficient.  Contact us for a quote!

 

 

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ZK840

Obsolete Equipment

If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Right? Well, that may not always be the case. Keeping equipment that is obsolete could end up costing you more than an upgrade. You will have to compare the cost of maintenance and prolonged downtime against the cost of the upgrade to decide. When a piece of equipment becomes obsolete, the original equipment manufacturer has discontinued product production. This doesn’t mean you can’t get a replacement part, but they are often limited and costly.

 

The following list of equipment are becoming, if not already, obsolete:

Avery Weigh-Tronix
  • GSE-350
  • GSE-375
  • GSE-675
  • PC-820
  • PC-821
  • WI-125
  • WI-127
  • WI-130
  • WI-1310
Fairbanks
  • 2500
Mettler Toledo
  • JAGUAR
  • LYNX
  • PUMA

 

If you are currently using one of the listed pieces of equipment, we recommend you come up with a replacement plan. Eventually the equipment will get old and need repairs. When that time comes, replacement parts might not be available. Contact us for replacement options!

 

5 Questions You Should Answer Before Buying a Forklift Scale

Warehouses, logistic companies, and recycling centers alike are frequent users of forklifts trucks. Their speed, ability to precisely maneuver around obstacles, and varying capacities make them ideal for operational needs.

Many of these industries take the simple skills of these vehicles to the next level investing in a forklift scale. This creates equipment that is not only useful in terms of getting inventory from Point A to Point B, but measures and records data while doing so. Grand Rapids Metrology’s distributed forklift scales allow seamless integration of weighing and
data management into your operation – without adding any extra steps or route changes.

For example, forklift scales eliminate tedious tasks at recycling centers. Their bundled and palletized materials can be weighed while on it’s way to a destination instead of having to constantly stop at a floor scale to take a reading. As you can imagine, efficiency can improve drastically.

If you’re frequently contemplating, “How can our company save money? How can we become more efficient? How can we collect more accurate data? ” you may want to consider utilizing a forklift scale.

Discover five things you should know before investing in a forklift scale:

 

1. WHAT ARE THE DIMENSIONS OF YOUR FORK TRUCK’S FRAME?

It is essential to know the dimensions of the frame of your fork truck, for it is one of the first questions our Account Managers ask during the buying process. Once we know your proper dimensions, we can begin to identify potential scales suited to your needs.

 

2. DO YOU NEED TO PRINT OR STORE TRANSACTION DATA?

If you would like to store data electronically, then the scales indicator will do the trick. However, if you need to print the weight data, perhaps for a label, then we will add a printer to your purchase. The printer will communicate with the indicator to swiftly and accurately to print your data.

 

3. WHAT IS THE CAPACITY OF THE FORK TRUCK?

This question is similar to the first. We can’t do much until we know the capacity of your forklift truck. Once our team knows the truck’s capacity, we can base the scale selection off that information.

 

4. DO YOU PREFER A WIRED OR WIRELESS INDICATOR?

Wired and wireless indicators each come with benefits and downfalls, so it’s upon you to decide what you do and don’t need in an indicator. Wireless options require more maintenance because an operator must manually change the batteries of the scale itself in order to transmit power. A wired indicator is powered through the truck itself, which means less work for you but also includes the hassle and mess of a physical power cord.

 

5. ARE YOU CHARGING A CUSTOMER BY WEIGHT?

If so, you may need to comply with NTEP Requirements (Legal-for-Trade). There are scale models available for legal-for-trade and not legal-for-trade. A NTEP (Legal-for-Trade) application can be broken down by class. See below for an overview of some of our available forklift scales.

 

 

 

Want to start a conversation about your forklift situation? Contact us below or give us a call at (800) 348-5701!

 

Precision Counting in 30 Seconds

When we think of the colors red, yellow and green, a stoplight probably comes to mind. In the weighing industry, these colors have different implication. The iconic color trio can not only be found at intersections but also in stacked light indicators. At GRM, we often attach these indicators to scales to help customers visualize the accuracy of their weighing process.

A recent solutions project allowed Grand Rapids Metrology to use these indicators and a high resolution, digital scale to demonstrate the speed and accuracy of our counting capabilities.

With a stacked light and an Avery Weigh-Tronix ZK840 fully programmable counting scale, Grand Rapids Metrology’s Solution Team was able to make precision counting easier than ever. Watch the latest custom solution meet our customer’s exact needs!

 

 

Does your operations call for precise counting of parts or product? Or maybe a visible stacked light would go a long way on your production floor? If so, Grand Rapids Metrology is able to set up a counting application to your requirements with unparalleled accuracy.

Send us a message and let’s start your solutions project today!

Simple Steps to Automate Your Precise Weighing Process

 

A recent project gave Grand Rapids Metrology the opportunity to automate a customer’s manual process. We’re breaking down the project and explaining simple steps you can take towards automating your own weighing process.

 

PROJECT

An international analytical instrument manufacturer had a slow, manual weighing process that was costing them unnecessary time and money. The customer used an outdated scale and, to make matters worse, the scale was not the appropriate resolution for their specific application.

Cue Grand Rapids Metrology.

STEP #1: Look at your own weighing process. Is it performed manually? Do you have the appropriate equipment for your application? If you’ve identified issues within your process, let us know and we’ll be happy to solve them. If you haven’t, consider using GRM’s Process Improvement Service – we’ll find the problem and the optimal solution for you!

 

INITIAL NEEDS & CHALLENGES

Before Grand Rapids Metrology’s intervention, the company’s process of weighing product and recording data was performed manually. An employee would place the product on a scale, hand-write the information onto a label, and finally place the label on the product.

It was tedious and inefficient to say the least.

What they needed was to be able to store equipment part information in the scale so the operator did not have to continuously write in the data. Similarly, the outdated scale needed to be replaced and it’s replacement needed to have a suitable capacity and resolution.

The manufacturer also required a custom programmed label to be printed after the weight was taken. The label would provide traceability for their products.

A challenge we faced was determining the customer’s desired sequence of operations.

STEP #2: Know your process. Think of your ideal sequence of operations — once you’ve envisioned it, we’ll figure out the rest.

 

SOLUTION

GRM knew the most efficient use of the customer’s resources would be to automate the weighing/printing process. This would aim to save time, increase accuracy and alleviate man-power.

The solution would use an Avery Weigh-Tronix ZM405 digital indicator with a high-resolution base. The indicator would communicate with both the base and the printer.

Our Solution Team was able to program the indicator to follow the exact sequence of operation the customer needed. The high-resolution base allowed GRM to provide the customer with the accuracy they required. Likewise, our team’s design of the printed label included all of the necessary part information.

Now, the only thing the operator has to do is enter the product’s part numbers into the indicator and place the label on the product.

You can see the operator entering equipment part information before adding products to the scale.

 

STEP #3: Consider using equipment that is able to communicate with one another. This can help eliminate any transitional steps that may have been done manually.

 

RESULTS

The instruments manufacturer was very happy with GRM’s solution. After a few minutes of training, their team was operating the scale and indicator with ease.

The proper sequence of operations the customer initially desired occurred with the use of the ZM405 and GRM’s innovative solution. The products were now traceable because of the use of custom printed labels.

Could a new printing process or an equipment update improve your operation?

STEP #4: Let’s talk about it.

Food Safety Modernization Act | How To Comply

The FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act, commonly known as FSMA, is the most comprehensive reform in food safety law in over 70 years. The act seeks to increase the safety of U.S. food supply by switching the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it. The ultimate goal is to minimize illness and death caused by unsafe food. Here is how FSMA has been effecting food and packing safety in the industry since its implementation:

This act requires compliance throughout the food industry. For companies with greater than 500 employees, the registration date to comply with the first FSMA rule, Preventive Controls – was September 19, 2016. However, for companies with fewer than 500 employees, September 18, 2017 was this year’s deadline. Read more for an in-depth look all the actions implemented by FSMA.

The major components of FSMA are enhanced partnership, prevention, inspection compliance response, and import safety.

With a concentration on preventing contamination, a strong emphasis is placed on the data, traceability, and cleanliness of the production process. The experts at Avery Weigh-Tronix put it simply, “This risk-based preventive approach to food safety relies on data and expertise to pinpoint potential food safety issues along the production, distribution and supply chain.”

To abide to FSMA, FDA suggests organizations implement a “thorough system for documenting internal process and record keeping.” Doing so would prove legal standards are being met.

Data and documentation are a key element of any weighing process and there are many points throughout food production that require weight to be taken. Scales that provide traceability of products and ingredients from “cradle to grave” are the ideal weighing solution for FSMA purposes.  A scale supplier of Grand Rapids Metroloyg’s reports that, “IP rated bench and indicators can help food suppliers to achieve both backward and forward traceability (be able to identify where all the ingredients came from and where they went).”

A hygienic process is also crucial when preventing contamination. In regards to weighing, the most hygienic applications are those with IP69K ratings. The critera for IP standards are as follows:

Stainless steel, washdown scales and indicators all have IP ratings. IP69K scales and indicators resist dust and water better than any other rated weighing equipment. Their sleek and innovative designs are free of hard seems, rivets, and screws — typically, the areas where bacteria builds up. Not only does the design defend against contamination, but the structure also protects the electronics of the scale which prevents any damage the the scale’s integrity and accuracy.

Including scales and indicators with IP69K ratings to your production process will help align your operation to FSMA regulations. Grand Rapids Metrology can provide a variety of washdown-rated weighing equipment; balances, bench scales, checkweighers, floor scales, indicators, load cells, and more. Some of our main suppliers of washdown products include Rice Lake, Avery Weigh-Tronix, and Ohaus. Such weighing equipment can provide the cleanliness and traceability that FSMA demands.

By complying to FSMA regulations, food production processes prevent contamination that have caused series illness and death in the past. All these products can be purchased and placed into service by Grand Rapids Metrology.

Request a quote for an IP Rated application today — or contact our experts and we’ll help you find the perfect solution to help better the nation’s food supply.

Is Your Counting Scale Obsolete? [New Product & Special Offer]

Do you ever worry your equipment may be obsolete? If it breaks or is damaged, the replacement parts could be limited and costly. Accuracy is important but what’s accuracy with a broken, out-of-date scale?

OBSOLETE EQUIPMENT

If you have any of the following Avery Weigh-Tronix scales, your equipment is becoming, if not already, obsolete.

You may want to consider purchasing a new counting scale – luckily, we have the perfect replacement.

The replacement? Avery Weigh-Tronix’s ZK 840 Programmable Counting Scale. This weighing equipment is considered “future proof” meaning you can avoid having obsolete equipment moving forward. It defies aging with a full range of connectivity options – allowing you to connect with PCs, printers, scanners, remote displays, and more! It also is webpage capable and supports up to five bases. Future technologies will not phase the operations of the ZK 840 – so you’ll get more bang for your buck.

The ZK 840 counting scale offers exceptional accuracy and flexibility. Fully programmable with database inventory control and a suite of applications, this high resolution touch-screen scale has been designed with ease of use and precision in mind.

WORK READY APPLICATIONS

The tough and resilient bench base, combined with the extreme accuracy makes the ZK 840 ideal for any application where strength and precision are essential. Here are some work ready applications of the scale:

  • Balance and Density Weighing
  • High Precision General Weighing
  • Counting
  • Pick List Kitting
  • Inventory Control
  • Checkweighing
  • Average Checkweighing
  • Grading
  • Filling
  • Percentage Recipe Formulation
  • Percentage Weighing

FEATURES

The features of the ZK 840 Counting Scale are unparalleled in the metrology and weighing industry. Read why below or watch the Product Overview video.

Unparalleled Accuracy

  • Count Accuracy: Over 99.75% for parts weighing as light as 10 mg
  • 1 Billion Internal Count Resolution
  • Accurate Piece Weight to 10 Decimal Places

Robust Construction

  • Die-Cast Clamshell Enclosure
  • 1100% Overload Protection
  • Safeguard against Shock and Side Loads

User Friendly Design

  • Intuitive Touch Screen
  • Clear Visual Feedback
  • Reversible Display
  • Fully Programmable

Built-in Database

  • Store key PLU Data
  • Access Real-time stock information

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

For more information or to talk to a metrology expert, contact us. To inquire about the purchase of a ZK 840, quickly and easily request a quote today – mention this post in the MESSAGE and receive a 6% discount for your equipment purchase!