Metalfab Loss of Weight- Scale System User Manual

LOSS-OF-WEIGHT_ Systems
Installation and Operating Instructions

Metalfab, Inc. Vernon, NJ 07462 Phone [phone] Fax [phone] [e-mail]

Contents:

• GENERAL DESCRIPTION

• INSTALLATION

• MAINTENANCE

• DISASSEMBLY

• ASSEMBLY

• ENGINEERING DATA

• Load Cells

• Weigh Instruments

• Measuring Accuracy

• BATCH CONTROL

• CONTINUOUS CONTROL

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

When a process requires accuracies greater than 1 to 1 1/2% or it is necessary to record actual feed rates, feeding by
weight loss is the only method. Required rates are actually monitored by a scaling system in conjunction with either a
batch or continuous controller. Weight of product being delivered is continuously monitored against weight required.

INSTALLATION

Even though we have designed our LOSS-OF­WEIGHT® weigh assembly with stops, you can
permanently damage the load cell if you drop,
overload or allow anything to impact the scale. Care
should be taken to eliminate these occurrences.

The bin activator should be located in an area with
minimal traffic or disturbances and mounted on a stable
and level support. After placing the bin into position,
remove the shipping clips from the upper and lower
weighing deck. The weigh deck’s corner and load cell
stops were adjusted during assembly and should not
be field adjusted.

Use the wiring schematic supplied with the LOSS-OF­WEIGHT® system’s NEMA 4 enclosure and make your
connections to the load cell terminals.

If you did not purchase our optional inlet and outlet
sleeves, connect the upstream and downstream
equipment with flexible connections. We recommend a
thin natural rubber or similar type material be used with
enough slack to prevent mechanical sticktion. The more
flexible the connections are, the better the accuracy you
can achieve.

Note: There should be no rigid connections between
earth and the LOSS-OF-WEIGHT® feeder scale

platform.

INSTALLATION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS METALFAB BIN ACTIVATOR

LOSS-OF-WEIGHT_ Systems
Installation and Operating Instructions

Metalfab, Inc. Vernon, NJ 07462 Phone [phone] Fax [phone] [e-mail]

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Contents:

• GENERAL DESCRIPTION

• INSTALLATION – ASSEMBLY

• VIBRATOR INSTALLATION

• VIBRATOR FORCE ADJUSTMENT

• FULL LOAD STARTING CURRENT

• SECONDARY BAFFLE

• MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

1. Upper hanger (suspension arm) brackets are pre-

assembled, at the factory, to a flanged cylindrical
section. It insures proper alignment of the
suspension arms and sleeve clamping surfaces.

2. Flanged mounting ring may be provided with bolt

holes for bolting to a mating flange on the bin.

Note: Nuts, bolts and gasketing for the mating

flanges are not supplied by Metalfab.
Use high strength, grade 5 bolts and
locknuts.

3. When being installed on a conical section of a bin, it

can also be welded directly to the bin cone. The
cone may be butted against the horizontal or inside
diameter of the flange and seal welded.

4. Before doing any welding, remove the vibrator from

the Bin Activator.

5. In all cases, regardless of installation procedures,

the mounting flange must not be distorted or bent
during installation.

6. Even though the locating of suspension brackets is

done with special equipment, it is recommended that
mating parts be maintained, i.e., do not interchange
mounting flanges from one serial numbered unit with
another serial numbered unit.

7. To insure proper fit and alignment, plan view

orientation of the hopper mounting flange with
relation to the Bin Activator must not be changed.

8. In most cases, generally 3 foot through 8 foot

diameter units, the mounting flange is shipped pre­assembled to the Bin Activator. For 10 foot diameter
and larger, the mounting flange is split in half and
shipped on the same skid as the Bin Activator or
separately. A metal brace may be welded to each
half section to prevent distortion during shipment. If
so,*remove*after*installation.

INSTALLATION – ASSEMBLY

1. Specific sequence of installing a Metalfab Bin

Activator can be changed to suite individual

requirements. Most important is the end result, i.e.,
proper alignment and tightness of nuts, bolts and
sleeve clamps.

2. Plan view orientation of the vibrator location with

respect to the storage bin is not critical. It can be
located to suit.

3. For units provided with bolt holes, the bolt holes can

be pre-drilled in the mating bin flange. Care must be
taken to make certain that the flange is not warped
or not distorted. If the bin flange is warped, distorted

or not level, transfer bolt holes from the mounting
flange at the time of installation. Shim, with metal,
as required before bolting mating flanges.

4. The mating flanges can also be welded, continuous

internal and intermittent or continuous external.

5. When bolting the mating flange, it is good practice to

user a sealant such as Permatex, Silastic or similar
material between the flanges to prevent leakage of
fine particle size products. A thin, approximately
1/8” gasket of resilient material may be used in place
of*a*sealant.**Sealant*by*others.

6. After installing the completely assembled Bin

Activator and tightening all bolts, run the unit empty

for approximately ten minutes. Then recheck the
suspension arm bolts, vibrating mounting bolts and

LOSS-OF-WEIGHT_ Systems
Installation and Operating Instructions

Metalfab, Inc. Vernon, NJ 07462 Phone [phone] Fax [phone] [e-mail]

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sleeve clamps for tightness. Suspension arm bolts
are Grade 5 and must be torqued to 466 foot
pounds; vibrator mounting bolts as follows:

3 / 8” BOLT

GRADE 5

25 FOOT POUNDS

1 / 2” BOLT

GRADE 5

60 FOOT POUNDS

5 / 8” BOLT

GRADE 5

120 FOOT POUNDS

3 / 4” BOLT

GRADE 8

296 FOOT POUNDS

7 / 8” BOLT

GRADE 8

473 FOOT POUNDS

1” BOLT

GRADE 8

714 FOOT POUNDS

7. Metalfab 10 foot and 12 foot diameter Bin Activators

and special units are shipped unassembled, in some
cases the mounting flange is split in half for shipping
purposes.

8. When installing units not completely assembled, the

correct procedure is to completely assemble the unit
at grade with the following procedure:

A. Stand or support the Bin Activator in a level

position (discharge outlet facing down).

B. If applicable, join the two (2) halves of the upper

mounting flange and tighten securely or weld.

C. If not already in position, place the flexible

sleeve and two (2) complete sleeve clamps on
the Bin Activator ***** leave clamps loose.

D. Position the assembled mounting flange on the

Bin Activator.

E. Install all suspension arms, insert high strength

bolts in upper and lower holes and snug up
each elastic stop nut and bolt.

After all nut bolts are installed snug, tighten to
the correct torque specifications.

F. Check placement of the flexible sleeve to

mounting flange and Bin Activator. A sealant
material such as Silastic or Permatex may be
used between the sleeve and metal surfaces.

G. Position the upper and lower sleeve clamps

close to the beaded edge of the flexible sleeve.
After seating and adjusting clamps, tighten both
securely.

Note: When tightening the clamps, be sure to

support the far side tube with vise grip
pliers when turning nut. Failure to do so
may cause a twisting action on
strapping, which may lead to damage of
clamp.

9. Run the unit as noted previously and tighten bolts as

required, including sleeve clamps.

VIBRATOR INSTALLATION

1. This unit imparts vibration to the Bin Activator. It

must be securely bolted to the unit (torque mounting
bolts according to previous instructions), and all
bolts must be retightened after the first ten minutes
of operation and again during the second day of
operation. All nuts and bolts, especially vibrator
mounting bolts, should be retightened every three

(3) months or more frequently depending on the
amount of usage.

2. Because the Bin Activator and the motor vibrate, the

electrical connections must be made with flexible
lead.**Braided neoprene covered cable is
recommended.

3. Refer to wiring diagram in motor conduit box for

wiring instructions.

VIBRATOR FORCE ADJUSTMENT

1. The centrifugal force setting of the vibrator is set at

the factory for the minimum force level that will
produce flow of product. If flow is not instantaneous

or continuous, it may be necessary to increase the
centrifugal force. To do so, the following procedure
should be followed: