What is a static scale and how it works

One of the most important and complex tasks to be carried out in the railroad environment is the weighing of trains and freight cars. As a result, due to this need, there were several ways to carry out this measurement, thus using, as in any other area, a scale. One of these models is the so-called static scale.  

As you can deduce from the nomenclature used in your name, a static scale performs the weighing process as soon as the railroad asset is completely immobile. The measurement in these cases occurs by difference in gross weight versus tare weight.

In order to have their operation guaranteed, it is necessary that this model of weighing equipment has approval by INMETRO (National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology). In addition, it must also be located in specific positions depending on the activity that will be performed. 

Therefore, when loading wagons, for example, the scale must be positioned below, after or in adjacent lines of the loading silos. In the discharge, before or in adjacent lines or together with the hopper. Given this scenario, do you want to know more about this scale model? Then read on and learn more about the static scale, the advantages and disadvantages of conventional equipment and a new technology that has been used in railroad weighing.  

Static scale of static scale

When thinking about a static railroad scale, the first thing that must be associated with this equipment is its precision potential. Unlike what normally occurs with the dynamic scale, this scale model guarantees greater accuracy of the weight being loaded.

That is, when a greater guarantee of the cargo being transported is needed, as in the case of the transport of gold or precious stones, for example, the static scale is used as a way to assist in this process. Thus, greater reliability at this point is in favor of the use of static scales.

In addition, another factor that is beneficial in relation to this type of scale is the issue of its maintenance. As it is an equipment that has been used for many years in the railroad sector, there are several companies that carry out the maintenance process, whether preventive or corrective. Thus, this service becomes more economical and easier to find, which is no longer the case with dynamic scales, which require a greater degree of specialization.  

Disadvantages  of static scale

Based on a technology that no longer matches the dynamics of the current market, static scales have many disadvantages. We have listed some of them below. Look: 

Need for civil works 

The first fact that jeopardizes the use of static scales is the installation method. For it to be possible to put a scale of this model into operation, it will be necessary to carry out a civil construction work, a gap, which requires more work and also more time needed to implement it.

Thus, the construction of a static railroad scale is carried out with a ditch and the use of built-in load cells for static application. These load cells support a mobile platform, from which it will be possible to measure the weight of the railroad asset that is on the platform. To be clear, the installation of static scales goes through five central points: 

• Foundation piles / blocks; 
• Pit; 
• Movable upper platform; 
• Load cells; 
• Indicating device.

Less weighing optimization

Another problem to be considered when dealing with static railroad scales is the fact that there is less fluidity in the process of weighing railroad assets, since the wagon, for example, must be completely stopped under the scale and must necessarily be disengaged. other wagons. Thus, it is necessary to demand more time to do this process.

In addition, as mentioned in the previous topic, because the system implementation process is slower, the weighing operation takes longer to be put into practice, impairing the release of a load, for example.    

Higher energy expenditure and wear

Due to the need to weigh the railroad asset completely stopped and disengaged, this scale model ends up generating the occurrence of greater energy expenditure. This is because for the measurement to be carried out it will be necessary to decouple the vehicle that follows the asset that will be weighed in the iron composition, generating the need for extra maneuvers and movements.

In addition to this fact, this greater movement on the scale ends up causing a great wear on the entire structure, which needs to undergo revisions more frequently to avoid loss of precision, a problem that, in more severe cases, can generate weight transport in excess and, consequently, the damage to the structure of the railroad network and the asset used. 

Traffic management 

Because the static weighing process requires more time and requires several maneuvers to happen, it becomes more difficult to also manage the traffic of the railroad network. As a result, the entire process is hampered, requiring extreme attention and greater care to ensure the safety of everyone. 

New weighing technology 

In contrast to the use of static scales, the use of so-called dynamic scales has become very common. This has occurred because, unlike static, a dynamic scale does not require the asset to be stopped or disengaged for weighing, allowing it to pass at a speed limited by the weighing tracks.

Thus, it is no longer necessary to perform maneuvers or any other action for weighing to occur. Just that the wagons pass and that's it, weighing will be done. This fact is extremely important in an increasingly competitive market, where more and more time has meant money.  

With different classes of accuracy, the scales can, varying from model to model, weigh up to 15 km / h. This fact becomes an immense operational advantage in the face of competition, especially when there is a need to disengage some wagon.

Massa Pesagem can help you with a dynamic scale. With over 15 years of experience in this sector, Massa is the right company to end your company's problems with railroad weighing. Click here and know more. 

Conclusion of static scale

A static scale, although it can also be efficient in weighing rail, depending on its conservation conditions, is no longer in line with contemporary industrial dynamics. There are already alternatives that can help a business in a much better way. Click here e confira mais.    
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