Semi-Automatic and Automated Ingredient Weighing Systems

Sterling Systems & Controls, Inc. offers a variety of material weighing systems for many industries and applications. Each system is customized to meet the exact requirements and demands of our customer. Material Weighing Systems are useful for automatic batching of one ingredient at a time using single or multiple scales. A semi-automatic material weighing system requires operator assisted weighing with automatic operator instructions and lockouts to ensure there will be no more missed ingredients due to operator interruption. This ensures batch integrity, quality & consistency (ingredient weighments within a programmable tolerance).

• Micro Weighing Systems
• Minor and Bulk Weighing Systems
• Bulk Bag Unloading & Weighing Systems

• Batching Systems are Semi-Automatic (a.k.a. Kitchen Batching Systems) or Automatic in Operation
• Multiple Components/Ingredientts in Batch
• Multiple Formulations
• Completed Batches are Manually or Automatically Transported Downstream in the Process
• Report Generation
• Interfaces to Upper Level Systems
• RFID or Barcode Scanning for Lot Tracking, Traceability and Validation
• Supervisory Remote Control with WebCentral Application

System Design Considerations

• Batch Size (min and max)
• Batch Rate (Batches Per Hour)
• Accuracy Requirements and Space Constraints (Floor Space)
• Ceiling Height
• Raw Material Source Packaging (Bag, Box, Bulk Bags, Totes, Drums…)
• Raw Material Dosing Size (Min and Max)
• Supply Bin Filling, Size/Capacity, Level Indication, Flow Aid, and Bin Lid Designs
• Materials of Construction (Material Contact & Non-Contact Construction, e.g. Stainless Steel, Coated Mild Steel, Plastic)
• Material Contact Construction Finish (Agricultural, Food, Pharma, or Industrial)

Automatic material weighing systems are batching systems designed to require minimal operator monitoring or interaction.

Features

• Automatically Weighs Ingredients via Feeding Device.
• Multiple Components/Ingredientts in Batch
• Batches Introduced Directly Downstream in the Process (Mixer, etc.) or Staged for Future Processing
• Multiple Formulations
• Ensures Batch Integrity (Batch Quality & Consistency) via Ingredient Weighment within Programmable Tolerance
• RFID and/or Barcode Scanning for Lot Tracking, Traceability and Batch Validation
• Report Generation
• Interfaces to Upper Level Systems

System Design Considerations

• Batch Size (min and max)
• Batch Rate (Batches Per Hour)
• Material Flow Characteristics
• Accuracy Requirements and Space Constraints (Floor Space)
• Ceiling Height
• Raw Material Source Packaging (Bag, Box, Bulk Bags, Totes, Drums…)
• Raw Material Dosing Size (Min and Max)
• Supply Bin Filling, Size/Capacity, Level Indication, Flow Aid, and Bin Lid Designs
• Materials of Construction (Material Contact & Non-Contact Construction, e.g. Stainless Steel, Coated Mild Steel, Plastic)
• Material Contact Construction Finish (Agricultural, Food, Pharma, or Industrial)
• Method of Transporting Batches Downstream
• Feeder Type and Size/Capacity (Standard Duty or Heavy Duty)
• Materials of Construction (Material Contact & Non-Contact Construction, e.g. Stainless Steel, Coated Mild Steel, Plastic)
• Material Contact Construction Finish (Agricultural, Food, Pharma, or Industrial)
• Dust Control Requirements
• Electrical Area Classification

Semi-Automatic material weighing systems are batching systems (a.k.a. Kitchen Batching Systems) that require an operator weigh each ingredient manually into a batch container. Operator actions are controlled by an automated system (PC or HMI based) that prompts operator action through the batching process, and contains interlocks that eliminate missed ingredients due to operator interruption.

Features

• Automatic Control of Operator Actions (Eliminates Missed Ingredients Due to Operator Interruption/Error)
• Efficiency and Performance Improvements Over a Manual Batch Process
• Manual Introduction of Batches Downstream
• Ensures Batch Integrity, Quality & Consistency (Ingredient Weighment within a Programmable Tolerance)
• RFID and/or Barcode Scanning for Lot Tracking, Traceability and Batch Validation
• Report Generation
• Interfaces to Upper Level Systems

System design considerations

• Batch Size
• Batch Rate
• Accuracy Requirements
• Space Constraints
• Raw Material Source Packaging (Bag, Box, Bulk Bags, Totes, Drums…)
• Supply Bin Filling, Size/Capacity
• Supply Bins Filling
• Materials of Construction (Material Contact & Non-Contact Construction, e.g. Stainless Steel, Coated Mild Steel, Plastic)
• Material Contact Construction Finish (Agricultural, Food, Pharma, or Industrial)
• Dust Control Requirements
• Electrical Area Classification