Clean out your truck scale before it freezes
The days are getting shorter, the clocks have turned back and the leaves are falling. Yep, autumn is well underway and winter is just around the corner. Which means that it’s the perfect time to make plans for cleaning out your truck scale before winter sets in and the weather dips below freezing.
Truck scales are almost always outside and pretty much always used in bulk weighing scenarios. This means that not only can product accumulate under or around your scale, but you’re likely to get dirt and the aforementioned leaves too. If this debris freezes, it can make your truck scale completely inoperable by locking critical suspension components or joints designed to flex, impacting accuracy and functionality.
Before your first freeze, it’s very important to make sure your truck scale is clean and clear of debris. Look under your scale and clear out debris with a hose or pressure washer. Ensure that your I-beams are clear of any dirt and debris to prevent deterioration. Check the clearance between the end of your scale and the approach bulkhead to ensure that there are no trapped debris. Finally, inspect the edges of your scale deck by lifting any t-stripping and clearing away dirt and rocks that may have become trapped.
No time to do a thorough cleaning? Or don’t have the right people or ones who are willing to do it? Contact Cross Precision Measurement. We have over 80 years of experience with truck scales so you can count on us to make sure your scale is clean and weighing accurately.
Legal-for-Trade Scales: Are Yours Meeting All the Requirements?
Any scale which is used for commercial transactions, where products are bought and sold based on weight, must be legal-for-trade. But what does legal-for-trade really mean? And how can you make sure that your scale is compliant?
In the United States, Handbook 44 outlines the requirements for legal for trade scales. When a scale meets the standards set by Handbook 44, it ensures that the scale is capable of providing accurate and consistent measurements repeatedly. In turn, this prevents disputes and ensures fairness in transactional situations.
All legal-for-trade scales must be clearly marked with a sticker, metal plate, or alternate form of identification displaying that the scale is NTEP approved. If the scale is not appropriately marked, it is not considered legal-for-trade and cannot be used in commercial transactions involving weight.
One other requirement for being trade approved is that the scale has been inspected by a calibration service provider for the requirements of HB44. They then submit paperwork to the State Weights and Measures department, although the state reserves the option to retest the scale to verify accuracy.
What's New at Cross
New Gas Detection Partner: RKI Instruments
Cross Process Solutions is proud to announce that we have partnered with RKI Instruments to sell their fixed and portable gas detection products.
RKI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Riken Keiki, the largest gas detection and sensor manufacturer in the world. RKI offers a variety of wireless and wired fixed and portable gas detection solutions, as well as equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres and non-explosive for a variety of industries and gases.
The Cross Process Solution team is also highly experienced in all types of gas detection solutions. Get in touch today to talk about your particular application.
New Pressure Transmitter and Vortex Meter Partner: Azbil
Cross Process Solutions is also pleased to announce our partnership with Azbil North America, a division of Azbil Corporation. Azbil, formerly known as Yatanabe Corporation, was founded in 1906 and produces measurement and control technology for buildings and industrial automation.
In particular, Azbil’s differential pressure transmitters are highly advanced, well made and their two way communication enables self-diagnosis, range resetting, and automatic zero adjustment operations.
Azbil’s vortex flow meters also stand out for their superior technology and quality workmanship. With no moving parts, they need little maintenance and repair and can be used to measure liquids, gases and steam. Watch this video to learn the theory of vortex meters and the features and benefits of the Azbil line.
Did you know?
Monitoring Recirculated Water in Cooling Towers
Cooling towers are an essential element in many industries, removing heat from manufacturing processes and industrial machinery. In order to make sure the cooling tower is free of leaks and running efficiently, recirculated water – both make-up water and blowdown water – should be monitored.
A conductivity meter, like those from Cross partner M4Knick, can help measure the amount of dissolved solids in the recirculating water. When the conductivity exceeds a predetermined threshold, blowdown water is drained and replaced with make-up water. Both blowdown and make-up water can be measured with specifically designed water flow meters, like those from Cross partner Flomec.
In fact, the Federal Energy Management program from the Department of Energy suggests:
“Install flow meters on make-up and blowdown lines. Check the ratio of make-up flow to blowdown flow. Then check the ratio of conductivity of blowdown water and the make-up water (handheld conductivity meters can be used to determine the relative mineral concentration of the recirculating and make-up water). These ratios should match the target cycles of concentration. If both ratios are not about the same, check the tower for leaks or other unauthorized draw-off. If the system is not operating at, or near, the target cycles of concentration, check system components including conductivity controller, make-up water fill valve, and blowdown valve.”
(https://www.energy.gov/femp/best-management-practice-10-cooling-tower-management)
The process experts at Cross can help you specify conductivity meters and flow meters for your new cooling towers or retrofit existing ones. Contact us today to discuss how we can ensure the efficiency of your recirculating water.
Cross Provides Tangible Value for You
Improve Efficiency
Sometimes the little things can make your work just a bit easier. Like the new CSR 425 retractable holder for ball valves from Cross partner M4Knick. Designed specifically to work with 1″ process connections, it allows for the easy insertion and retraction of pH sensors under process conditions.
The CSR 425 is ideal for quick-disconnect sensors. You will never have to pull the cable completely through the fitting when changing out the sensor. It also allows you to easily replace old sensor technology as well as an option for applications requiring insertion depths of up to 11.5″.
Raise Quality
As calibration providers, we know how critical record keeping is for both quality and compliance. Cross’s award-winning, cloud-based calibration software GageSuite® is user friendly and available anywhere.
It’s also ideal for visibility of multiple production locations. Whether those are across the street or across the country, GageSuite® allows you to track every gage and ensure that all of them are within calibration, with one single log-in.
Improve Efficiency
Need flexibility with your moisture analyzer? Cross partner Ohaus has just released their new MB line of moisture analyzers which are flexible yet precise and rugged yet innovative.
Models include:
- The MB32: Ideal for routine moisture testing, providing consistent performance for everyday laboratory and production needs.
- The MB62: Versatile and suitable for a variety of moisture applications across the life sciences fields.
- The MB92: Advanced option for users requiring a high level of performance and precision in moisture analysis.
