Find out if the flow scale is a good investment
Uno de los pasos más importantes en el funcionamiento de cualquier ferrocarril es el pesaje de los vagones o de los propios vagones. Este proceso es fundamental para permitir la continuación de la ruta del tren. Para pesar las composiciones ferroviarias, there are 4 types of scales: flow scale, static, dynamic and batch scale.
In this article, we'll look deeper into the flow scale, understanding what this scale model is, how it works, its advantages and disadvantages, etc.
Finally, we will also bring you if it is really worthwhile to invest in a flow scale, considering the points that will be presented during the course of the article.
Content Index
What is a flow scale and how does it work?
Each model of railroad scale, including the flow scale, works in a specific way.
While the static and dynamic scale models carry out the weighing of loads already placed on the wagons, the flow scale works in a different way.
In this scale model, the loads are weighed before being placed on the trains that will deliver these goods.
Normally, flow scales are positioned in railroad hoppers, which are structures that act on the loading and unloading of wagons. Another option is for them to be attached to railroad bins, which are also storage structures for goods, especially in bulk.
In this way, the weighing process of the flow scale takes place before the trains are loaded, or at the end of the journey of these vehicles, when the loads are being unloaded.
This type of scale has continuous flow weighing cycles, which is precisely why they are also known as continuous flow scales. But how so?
Well, in order for the loads to be weighed, they are added to the flow scale, which is weighing in “real time”, allowing the values to be visualized instantly, while the scales' buckets are being filled.
In this sense, it is possible to program the scales, making this process to be completed as soon as the scale reaches the desired weighing value by the operators involved.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like the other scale models, the flow scale also has its advantages and disadvantages.
First, it is interesting to highlight the benefits it can provide for companies involved in this cargo transportation process.
Well, cargo weighing is an important process for any railroad, as it allows trains to be able to act in an integral way on the railroads.
As there are specific rules for each track, determining the maximum weight of each train, this process helps to ensure that the rail trains will comply with the established metrics for the rail line they will be transporting.
When exceeding the limit weights established for each lane, trains have to stop and can only continue their journey if the situation is resolved.
In this sense, one of the advantages of the flow scale is that it prevents this from happening, since, unlike other models of scales, which weigh vehicles already in motion, the flow scale performs the weighing before they begin their journey.
In addition, as the weighing are controlled, that is, the loads are positioned on the vehicles, already respecting these metrics established by the tracks, the train leaves the railroad stations knowing that it will be able to follow its path without being interrupted.
Another advantage of flow scales is that they have a very robust and protected structure, reducing or even preventing the interference of factors such as wind and dust, which could make weighing precision difficult.
Finally, as it is a continuous and programmed process, flow scales guarantee high precision in weighing, considerably reducing the chance of the companies involved being harmed by paying more than the goods received.
If there is a loss during the journey, it is possible to carry out the weighing again during the unloading of the goods, discovering the amount that was wasted.
However, the flow scale also has certain disadvantages that need to be discussed.
The most relevant is that, due to its operation, which is carrying out weighing little by little, following the values of the loads placed on them, this procedure ends up being a little slow, especially when loading trains.
The speed of weighing processes for loads, wagons and trains is an important need that companies need to be aware of, as this helps to allow a faster flow, especially in ports where the number of wagons is huge and need fast processes and efficient.
In addition, another disadvantage of the flow scale is that, due to the size of the bucket structures, they need to be mounted in very large spaces. Furthermore, it is necessary to use more than one flow scale at the same time, further increasing the space that needs to be built to accommodate these scales.
Because of this, both the space that needs to be built, and the need to use more than one scale, the acquisition costs of this equipment end up being very high.
Is it a good investment?
Taking into account its operation, size, advantages and disadvantages, we can conclude that the investment in flow scales depends very much on the material transport flow of the terminal, if the train loading process is less than 40 cars per day the flow scale it can be a good option, if loading time is not an impacting issue, on the other hand, for terminals with operation above 40 cars per day, the operating cost can make the investment in flow scales unfeasible.
Despite ensuring good accuracy in the metering of loads, the loading time, coupled with the high purchase and maintenance costs of the scales, makes this investment unprofitable.
Currently, it is preferable to opt for other models of scales, especially the dynamic scale, which in addition to performing an accurate weighing, allows this process to be greatly optimized, since the weighing took place already with the loads positioned in the wagons and with the trains in movement, without the need to park the vehicles, stopping their path, so that this measurement can be performed.
In this sense, the most interesting idea is to invest in dynamic scales, especially those from MASSA Pesagem e Automação, which has extensive market experience and applies modern technologies in the operation of the scales, carrying out accurate and constant weighing, in addition to ensuring quality maintenance of the scales.
Conclusion
As we have seen, it is not worth investing in a continuous flow scale, as its main disadvantages, such as the high investment and maintenance cost, the delay in carrying out weighing and the need for ample space for positioning the scales, end up weighing in on that decision.
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