Q-VOLUMETRIC: THE ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL WEIGHING SYSTEMS
The volumetric weighing system installed on the fixed plant of Cave di Pilcante, Ala, Trento, Italy
IN SEARCH OF INNOVATION
The research and development of new technology inevitably entails the need for in-depth tests in the field before moving onto the disclosure and marketing phase. This is exactly what Ma-estro has done in researching an alternative to classical weighing systems, a process that has led to the development of Q-VOLUMETRIC, a revolutionary system for volumetric data collection.
BY THE CLIENT
For years, Ma-estro has been recognized as a leader in control and automation systems in the crushing sector. We provide turnkey systems consisting of hardware (PLC, industrial computers, electrical panels, etc.), software for data management, and the dedicated sensors, which also include traditional weighing systems.
So why this change in direction? What is it due to?
The main reason lies “clients are requesting increasingly high levels of precision to measure the amounts of material, but these standards are often difficult to guarantee because there are many variables that risk noticeably compromising the precision of weighing systems”.
This from Giorgio Manara, company owner, President of the ANEPLA Goods and Services Department, and an expert in the sector for more than 20 years. “We were looking for an alternative to weighing systems that could guarantee high precision and create added value for all Ma-estro clients”, he continues
We were looking for an alternative to weighing systems that could guarantee high precision and create added value for all Ma-estro clients,
Giorgio Manara, Ma-estro Srl CEO and President of the ANEPLA Goods and Services Department
DRAWING ON OUR DIRECT EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD
This Rovereto-based company grew out an inner need seen by Manara, who already owned a quarry, to have total control of the productivity of his plant, consumption, and therefore also related production costs. Ma-estro has therefore always been able to test its sensors and systems directly in the field, thereby guaranteeing their complete validity in crushing plants. Being able to test this type of technology in a real situation before placing it on the market is certainly an advantage that not everyone has. The same process occurred for the volumetric scanner, which allows the productivity of fixed and movable plants to be measured for different types of material. This tool was implemented and tested in the quarry for six months and produced notable results without all the critical aspects of a classical weighing system. As seen in the photos, Q-VOLUMETRIC is composed of a metal arch structure, the top of which holds the scanner. The system should be positioned such that it has a fixed reference on the conveyor belt, which is usually the point where the material falls. The scanner sends a band of laser light that detect the profile, barycentre, and height of the material in order to determine its shape and calculate its instantaneous volume.
Q-VOLUMETRIC s especially recommended for uniform materials (aggregates, cement, asphalt, lime etc.), since the more constant the specific weight, the greater the precision in converting the volume into weight. The accuracy The average accuracy achieved with this instrument is equal to a 2% margin of error, provided that it is appropriately calibrated first. Once calibrated, the instrument requires minimal maintenance, since the measurement does not require contact with the material and the laser is not affected by dust or atmospheric agents.
4.0 CULTURE AND METHODS
ADVANTAGES OF THE VOLUMETRIC SYSTEM
- SIMPLE INSTALLATION AND USE
- High accuracy
- Suitable for demanding environments and outdoor use
- Requires little maintenance and no continuous calibration
- Not affected by high belt speeds and/or large inclination angles
- Not subject to error due to small loads
- Not affected by external, exogenous factors
- Not influenced by mechanical problems since it is not in contact with the material