Optional Components and Installation Requirements for Weighing System

This article is about Optional Components and Installation Requirements for Electronic Truck Weighing System.

OPTIONAL COMPONENTS AND INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS FOR WEIGHING SYSTEM

 The items described in this article are optional scope of work for Electronic Truck Weighing System (Sometimes we need this functionality or sometimes not). They shall be furnished with the weighing system only when specifically required by the project-specific documents.

Following are additional installing components and just as extra features.

1. Identification Card Reader Option

   • The reader shall be capable of reading identification information from a magnetic strip on a plastic card when it is “swiped” through the reader.
   • The identification information on the card shall be all of the following:
     • Truck driver name
     • Truck driver employee number
     • Truck identification number
     • Truck tare weight
   • The reader shall add the date and time of day of the transaction to the identification information.
   • The reader shall interface with the weighing system indicator-controller and other peripheral equipment to allow automated operation of the weighing system.

2. Qwerty Keyboard Option

   • The “qwerty” keyboard shall be a standard personal computer-type keyboard.
   • The keyboard will be used to manually input the identification data that is listed for the identification card reader. Manual input would be used in case of swipe card loss or malfunction, failure of the card reader, or other problem with the automated identification system.

3. Remote Weight Display Option

   • The remote weight display shall be used as a secondary display of the weight information when this information is needed at a location separated from the weighing system indicator-controller.
   • The display shall be capable of being desktop or wall-mounted.
   • The display shall have a corrosion-resistant enclosure that meets one of the following:  NEMA 4X, NEMA 12, or an IEC equivalent.
   • The display shall be capable of operating from an electrical power supply of either 115 VAC-1 phase-60 Hz or 220 VAC-1 phase-50 Hz as defined by the project-specific documents. A separate transformer/power converter may be supplied with the display to meet this requirement.
   • The unit shall be capable of displaying in “kilogram” units or “pounds” units.
   • The display shall have at least six digits with a minimum digit height of 0.5 inch (13 mm).
   • The display unit shall communicate with the weighing system indicator-controller via an RS-232 serial post.

4. Data Management Computer System Option

   • The data management computer system (DMCS) shall be a computer-based software data management system that manages the weighing system operation, maintains records of weighing transactions/truck data/personnel information, produces reports from data collected, and controls the production and use of the automatic identification “swipe” cards.
   • The computer shall be an IBM-compatible unit with appropriate operating speed, memory capacity, and software program capability. The computer shall have either a 3.5-inch floppy disk or CD-ROM drive for program loading. The software shall allow customization by Company. The computer shall tie together all of the weighing system components into one coordinated operation.
   • Peripheral equipment, including color monitor, keyboard, modem, and interconnecting cables, shall be provided for personnel interface with the system operation, and to produce data reports, and weigh tickets if needed.
   • A magnetic strip identification card (swipe card) production unit shall be furnished which is controlled by the computer system to make cards with appropriate information embedded on them.
   • The system components shall have enclosure suitable for a typical personnel-occupied, indoor environment remote from the weighbridge area.
   • The system components shall be capable of operating from an electrical power supply of either 115 VAC-1 phase-60 Hz or 220 VAC-1 phase-50 Hz as defined by the project-specific documents. A separate transformer/power converter may be supplied with the system to meet this requirement. Appropriate electric power surge voltage/lightning suppression equipment shall be furnished for the power supply to the DMCS.

5. Local Components Housing Option

   • A weatherproof housing shall be provided that is located immediately adjacent to the weighbridge at a spot next to the truck cab such that the truck driver does not have to leave the truck cab to operate the weighing system.
   • The following components shall be located in the weatherproof housing.
     • Remote weight display
     • Qwerty keyboard
     • Identification card reader
     • Weight ticket printer
   • The enclosure shall be designed so that when it is accessed for operating the weighing system, it will continue to protect the components inside and the printed weight ticket from rain exposure.
   • The enclosure shall be heated as necessary to prevent freezing and water vapor condensation on the components inside. The heater shall be thermostatically controlled and operate from the power supply defined by the project-specific documents.

6. Auxiliary Output Signal Module Option

   • The auxiliary output signal module shall be added to the weighing system indicator-controller to provide an analog output signal to Company’ plant control system. The signal will be used in regulating the filling of Company’ tank trucks. It may also be used for indicating and recording the truck weights in the plant’s main computer system.
   • The module output shall be an isolated signal of 4 to 20 mA in a 24 Vdc loop. The signal shall be proportional to the truck weight on the weighbridge with 4 mA corresponding to “zero” weight and 20 mA corresponding to the maximum calibrated weight of the weighbridge.
   • This output signal shall be in addition to any other signal fed to printers and other peripheral equipment.

7. Weighbridge Access Ports Option

   • Access ports with removable coverplates shall be furnished in the weighbridge structure directly over drains in the pit floor. The ports allow personnel to access the pit drains for removal of any debris blocking the drain entrance or downstream piping.
   • The access port structure in the weighbridge and the coverplate shall be capable of being driven over without damage by trucks using the weighbridge.
   • It is not Company’ intent that these ports be used to access/enter the confined space below the weighbridge. There shall be no need for any personnel entry below the weighbridge deck surface.

8. Weighbridge Apron Option

   • A stainless steel splash/drip apron shall be furnished when required by the project-specific documents. This apron prevents damage to the carbon steel (and concrete) in the weighbridge in case of cryogenic liquid drips and spills that can occur during loading of the Company trucks when it is done on the weighbridge.
   • The apron shall cover the full width, including the structural framework of the weighbridge at the loading end. The overall length of the apron shall be 1.2 m (48 in) starting at the end edge of the weighbridge deck.
   • The apron shall be made from 6 mm (1/4 in) thick 300 series stainless steel plate in a two-piece construction. One piece shall cover the load cells and structural framework at the end of the weighbridge. This piece shall be removable to maintain access to the load cells for servicing and maintenance from the top of the deck. For concrete deck weighbridges the second piece shall have concrete anchors welded onto its underside. The apron shall be installed by pushing the anchors into the concrete after it has been poured (but before it has “set up”) in the weighbridge section. For weighbridges with all-steel decks, the second piece of the apron shall be welded to the weighbridge structural framing. The seam between the two apron pieces shall be caulked with silicon rubber or latex caulk to minimize the entrance of any cryogenic fluids or rain into the seam gap.

9.  Truck Wheel Position Locators Option

   • If the weighbridge is used for drive-through on weighbridge loading, truck wheel position locating “bump strips” shall be furnished on the weighbridge deck. The bump strips shall be located in the weighbridge apron area.
   • The bump strips shall be fabricated from 40 mm (1 1/2 in), schedule 40, type 304 stainless steel pipe. A 915 mm (36 in) piece of this pipe shall be cut in half lengthwise producing two bump strips. One bump strip shall be located behind each truck dual wheel set with the cut face against the deck apron.
   • The bump strips shall be located so that the outer end of each strip is 150 mm (6 in) inboard from its respective side edge of the weighbridge. The two strips shall lay in-line along a common centerline that is 150 mm (6 in) into the larger of the two apron plate pieces from the seam between the pieces.
   • The bump strips shall be stitch welded to the weighbridge apron plate.

10. Foundation Corner Coping Embedments

    • These embedments shall form the top inside edges of the pit foundation walls for the weighbridge. These embedments will set the gap dimension between the weighbridge and the foundation wall.
    • The embedments shall be made from appropriate size structural steel angles with concrete anchors welded in the included 90-degree angle area.
    • The embedments shall be fabricated in sections such that they can be readily shipped and assembled in the foundation formwork at the installation site.

11. Weighbridge Installation Option

    • This option shall include the labor and equipment necessary to install the modular weighbridge sections in the foundation pit. This shall include installing the load cells, connecting the load cell cables to the various function boxes in the weighbridge, and any mechanical assembly needed to connect the various modules together.
    • Supervision for the weighbridge installation is included in the basic scope of work.
    • The foundation excavation and installation will be done by others.

12. Concrete Deck Installation Option

    • This option applies only to weighbridges that have concrete decks.
    • The option shall include the concrete material, labor, and equipment necessary to fill and finish the weighbridge modular sections with concrete.
    • The concrete used shall be according to the weighing system supplier’s requirements including any curing additives and strengthening materials.
    • Any coverings, watering, or other procedures or materials needed during curing of the concrete shall be included.

13. Electronic Cable Installation Option

    • This option shall include the labor and any equipment needed to install the electronic cabling between the weighbridge main junction box (summation box) and the weighing system indicator-controller and any other peripheral equipment.
    • Termination of the cable wires on terminal strips or connectors at both ends of any cable shall be included in the work when it has not been done at the factory.
    • The electronic cable(s) and installation supervision are included in the basic scope of supply by the system supplier.
    • The raceway (for example, conduit) for the electronic cable(s) will be furnished and installed by others during the foundation installation.

14. Complete Turnkey Weighing System Installation Option

    • This option shall include all work needed to do a complete weighing system supply and installation. It would start with foundation excavation and include all work through calibration and certification of the system for legal weighing.
    • This option will include all basic scope of work items, plus all labor and equipment optional items, plus selected other options as required by the project-specific documents.
    • The project-specific documents will define any additional detail needed to the scope of work and equipment requirements.