The Next Generation of Truck Scale Technology

Truck scales comprise of various perpetual, heavy-duty weighing systems which are not only used to weigh vehicles, but the loads in which they carry. Truck weighing scales are most commonly used to weigh heavy commercial trucks on highways, in addition to specialized uses for mining companies, farmers and agricultural producers, public works operations, waste management companies, and others.

Just like all other technological advancements, truck scales keep advancing in terms of features offered, level of efficiency, accuracy, and overall functionality. Below are some of the most advanced heavy-duty weighing systems:

In-Motion Axle Scales 

In-motion axle scales are capable of recording the actual weight of trucks while they are still moving. These wheel weigher truck scales are portable and are usually installed on weigh systems designed specifically to weigh semi trucks at weigh stations. They also measure axle and gross weight when the trucks are in highway speeds.

In-motion axle scales are great a great advancement because they increase throughput while reducing stoppage times.They utilize high-end technology comprising of sensors made from quartz crystals which only sense the normal forces acting on them. They therefore don't measure friction and truck’s speed leaving focus only on the trucks' weight.
These advanced truck weight scales are a very cost effective method of monitoring heavy duty trucks traveling over highways. They also are long-lasting and flexible having been made using very durable materials. They can withstand even the harshest conditions for example in mining and can be adjusted to incorporate greater options to better suit specific conditions of operation.

On-board Truck Scales

On-board truck scales are designed with in-built modules installed around the truck’s axles and frame. Based on pressure sensors and hydraulics, these systems are capable of directly calculating load weight from the trucks while they are moving. On-board truck scales offer advantages by monitoring the changes in the electrical resistance produced by the strain created by the load. This enables operators and drivers to know the truck weight at any point in time, providing the ultimate weighing system for efficiency and convenience.

On-board weighing systems can be customized to match specific company's weighing requirements, but their basic design wires the system through the truck ignition switch and the display. The wiring makes sure there is instant application. The system gets actives once the truck gets ignited and drivers can't alter anything without proper authorization. The drivers monitor the truck load using the display while alarm tones are in place to warn them when their trucks surpass the standard weight.

To see one of the most impressive displays of on-board weighing systems for trucks, loaders, conveyors, and other types of load-bearing equipment, see the on-board weighing systems at WalzScale.com.

Volumetric Load Scanner Systems

The load volume scanner is a laser scanning system that is capable of generating and displaying volumetric 3D images which are be used to convert volume metrics into weight metrics.

The load volume scanners are completely different from other forms of weighing technology in that they don't weigh loads directly, but rather use volumetric scanning to generate 3D images of the payloads.

With basic inputs defining material density and the general weight per cubic metric, these system can scan volume data and convert it to weight. Load volume scanners have software-integrated solutions which allow operators and truckers to manage all loads from their excavators or heavy duty vehicles.

The load volumetric scanner system provides high definition in-motion images at the fingertips of operators. These systems are highly accurate, very fast and simple to install.

Farmers, agricultural producers, mining industries and large produce businesses can use this to easily determine the actual weights of loaded trucks.

5 Advancements in Industrial Barcoding Technology

Industrial barcoding technology has witnessed notable advancements over the past several years. These advancements have significantly helped to streamline, automate, and enhance various operations involved with barcode printing, scanning, and related tasks associated with inventory management, logistics, and distribution.


From cutting-edge barcode scanners and readers to progression in today's industrial barcode sensor technology, below are five advancements that define the evolution of industrial barcoding technology.

1. Advanced Symbology

The underlying data matrix of industrial barcoding technology has seen a great improvement in barcodes as it allows manufacturers to trace products easily, and that they are error-proofed. The two dimensional encoding is an improvement from its 1D cousin since it has the ability to represent more data.

Of the various matrix codes available, QR codes find a greater use as they can encode complex patterns including the Japanese Kana and Kanji characters. These camera-based decoders have greatly eased production besides reducing the physical risk exposed to employees who used previous technologies.

2. Barcode Scanner Efficiency

The advancement of encoding technology has led to the development of more reliable and efficient industrial barcode scanners. Unlike laser scanners, digital industrial barcode readers can decode both one -dimensional and 2D barcodes in any direction. They are also used for capturing and transferring images, which facilitates easy capture of signatures.

 Area imagers are the choice devices for reading Direct Part Marking codes in production lines. As a result, area imagers have become significant for decoding critical tracking information and in inventory management. In this case, direct parts marketing/DPM readers play a vital role in cultivating greater efficiency for inventory tracking and management.

3. Precision & Flexibility

Contemporary industrial imagers adequately overcome the challenges of decoding poor quality barcodes. They are better suited for closer range barcodes, especially the 2.5 mil codes. Linear imagers find a wider industrial application than laser scanners due to their better scan time of poor quality labels. Low quality images are a challenge to laser scanners, which often substitute unclear data. On the other hand, linear imagers do not generate code substitutions. Linear imagers have higher scan rates, typically between 200 and 800 scans per second compared to 50 sps in laser decoders.

Solid-state electronics have seen a smooth transition from bulky scanners to portable and handheld barcode decoders. This has made it easy to scan bulky items without the need for lifting. Cordless scanners that make it easy to scan items across a store for inventory purposes. Due to their solid-state nature, imagers are more reliable than lasers. The latter produce a moving spot through a combination of moving mirrors which lowers their suitability in warehouse applications.

4. Sensor Technology

Like other digital detectors in the market, most linear imagers use charge-coupled-device components for detection. However, Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor detectors are finding a broader application due to their reliability and low power consumption. An improvement to this technology is the Active Pixel CMOS Sensors, components that combine the digital processor and the light sensor in one chip. In effect, APS CMOS sensors are smaller, consume less power, and are more reliable than CCD and CMOS sensors.

5. Media Compatibility

The ability to synchronize barcode information with other media in real time is a milestone achievement in industrial barcode scanner technology. Most scanners are adapted for direct connection to a computer through a USB port, and are compatible with typically all operating systems. Depending on the area of application, the scanner software may support automatic download of product details such as name, price, and date of manufacture.

Most barcode scanner software is customized to allow the addition of items in a collection and post classifieds to the internet by simply scanning a barcode. This technological advancement makes online publishing easier and enables faster comparison of product details with related items.