How to Automate your Weighbridge System
Weightron Admin|3 July, 2024
For countless businesses across numerous industries, weighbridges are an absolutely critical piece of equipment.
Weighbridges are extremely effective weighing solutions, which offer a convenient and efficient solution for a wide range of use cases.
But, what does a ‘state-of-the-art’ weighbridge look like? How can automation be used within weighbridges, to make these systems even more advanced?
At Weightron, we specialise in the installation of weighbridges, and the automation of weighbridge systems.
So, to find out what benefits weighbridge automation can unlock for your operations, keep reading.
What is weighbridge automation?
Weighbridge automation is the process of integrating new, advanced technologies and systems into weighbridges.
This allows you to upgrade your traditional weighbridge, into a more advanced, efficient and sophisticated solution.
Depending on your requirements, weighbridge automation can include:
- Driver operated terminals
- Card Readers
- ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras
- Traffic Barriers
- Traffic Lights
- Message display screens
- Traffic management Software
In addition to installing new weighbridges with these features, Weightron can also upgrade existing weighbridges with these automation systems.
We’ll cover the core components within this list in more detail below.
How do you automate a weighbridge?
To automate a weighbridge, you will need to enlist a professional weighing specialist. They will then work with you, to identify your specific needs, before supplying and integrating the required technologies.
The process of automating a weighbridge typically involves:
- Discussing your operations, and how your weighbridge is currently used.
- Assessing your requirements and KPIs for the investment, before identifying any areas where your weighbridge is currently lacking.
- Installing ANPR cameras.
- Installing driver operated terminals and traffic management systems.
- Choosing the best-fit weighbridge management software for your process, before integrating it into the weighbridge.
- Adding extra chosen software features, such as cloud-based integrations.
- Establishing any extra user interfaces, such as digital kiosks.
The core components of automated weighbridge systems
Driver Operated Terminals
Driver operated terminals are designed to allow the driver to use the weighbridge system, without having to leave the vehicle.
At Weightron, we supply and install DD2060 touch screen terminals. This technology strikes the perfect balance between ease of use and powerful capabilities.
These driver operated terminals have been specifically designed for unmanned/automated weighbridge installations. They feature a built-in computer (removing the need for a local PC), and the large industrial colour touchscreen intuitively guides drivers through the weighing process.
They also offer unrivalled user flexibility and system integration with an extensive range of weighbridge applications.
As such, they can be readily linked up with our bespoke weighbridge software. In fact, this is the best way to use these automation technologies to their full advantage.
Traffic Management
Traffic management systems guide the entrance and exit of vehicles as they use the weighbridge, thereby maximising the safety standards for these technologies.
We have found that, at a growing number of industrial sites, weighbridge management systems play an important traffic management role.
While the weighbridges capture key vehicle weight data (as they enter and leave the site), traffic management systems improve site security and facilitate vehicle throughput.
Depending on your requirements, traffic control and management equipment can include traffic barriers and traffic lights, large overhead displays, overhead security cameras, security gates and more. They can also be integrated with our bespoke weighbridge software, to achieve a state-of-the-art vehicle management solution.
ANPR Cameras
ANPR stands for Automatic Number Plate Recognition. These cameras are widely used within weighbridge traffic management systems, to improve site security and vehicle access control (for both weighed and non-weighed vehicles).
As with the rest of our traffic management systems, our ANPR cameras can be seamlessly integrated with Weightron’s bespoke weighbridge software.
Weighbridge Software
At Weightron, we provide and install world-beating weighbridge software systems, which are made bespoke to each client and their specific site.
Our expert team will work with you to design a comprehensive and reliable data management solution, with system integration across multiple applications.
Today, software and automation play a critical role in weighbridge management systems.
Weightron are leaders in this sector, and we can both install new weighbridges and automation systems on your site, and upgrade your current weighbridges, to achieve best-in-class standards.
To learn more about weighbridge automation and its benefits, contact our team today.
