Industrial Hanging Scale

What are industrial hanging scales?

Industrial hanging scales are a type of commercial weighing device used to measure the weight of objects lifted by a crane. This type of heavy-duty crane scale is often used in heavy industries including lumber yards, recycling centers, warehouses, metal fabrication, automotive manufacturing, foundries, shipbuilding, aerospace, and more.

Hanging scales are a major component in ensuring on-site safety when conducting industrial lifting operations. They’re useful with applications such as:

• Weighing of pallet loads
• Compliance with load limitations 
• Pricing and inventory tracking
• Determining the calibration weights of products
• Testing load stability during transport

Different types of industrial hanging scales

There are two main varieties of industrial hanging scales: mechanical and digital.

Mechanical vs analog industrial hanging scales

Looking at the technological advancements of the past few decades, you might assume that all hanging scales would be digital—but that’s not the case. Mechanical scales, which use springs and dials to measure and display the lifted load’s weight, are still in use today. And while mechanical scales can be accurate to some degree, they can never match the accuracy of a quality digital overhead weighing scale.

On the other hand, a digital or electronic hanging scale gives operators a much higher degree of accuracy. Electronic hanging scales feature an LCD readout or display which both give a more accurate reading, but can also be read from a much greater distance when compared to the dial display of a mechanical scale. This gives electronic hanging scales an additional level of safety.

Wired vs wireless industrial hanging scales

Another major feature that divides industrial weight measurement devices is whether they are wired or wireless. 

Wired crane scales connect the scale’s load cell directly to its industrial load indicator or display via a wire or cable. This is fine for many applications but it does both pose the safety risk of a tripping hazard and limit the operator's freedom of movement. 

On the other hand, when it comes to wireless industrial weight measurement devices, the signal is sent from the scale to the remote indicator wirelessly. This type of advanced load cell technology uses either radio frequency (RF) or Bluetooth.

Advantages of using industrial hanging scales

There are many advantages to using a digital overhead weighing system.

A major benefit is the ability to accurately measure the weight of heavy and awkwardly shaped objects, increasing safety in the workplace. Knowing a given load’s weight ensures that the crane will be able to handle the lifted load. This can prevent damage to the crane itself, the object being lifted, and to the on-site personnel.

Overhead crane scales can also help reduce costs and save time. They help operators accurately weigh loads so they can determine how best to lift and transport them. This eliminates the need for error-prone and time-consuming manual calculations.

Hanging crane scales can also be used to streamline the process of inventory tracking. By accurately measuring weights as inventory is moved or stored, businesses can track them more accurately and reduce the chances of human error.

What are industrial hanging scales made from?

Crane scales are generally made of steel, stainless steel, or aluminum. The material used depends on the type of load and the environment where the scale will be operating. 

For example, aluminum scales are ideal for lighter industries and neutral environments, while heavy-duty crane scales are likely to be made of stainless steel, which is suited for heavier use and harsher environments.

At Eilon Engineering, we produce solely high-strength, aerospace quality, low alloy steel crane scales, which are polyurethane coated. This gives our systems the highest possible safety level and assures they’ll be suitable for nearly any and all work environments.

The components of a hanging crane scale

Metal weighing scales are composed of several different parts. The main two parts are the load cell and the display.

The load cell is the weight-bearing part of the system. It’s what measures the force by converting the load’s weight into an electrical signal. When the force, weight, or tension is applied to the load cell body, a small component known as a strain gauge detects the minute changes to the load cell body’s shape. The resulting change in electrical resistance is then converted into a measurement that is sent to the digital readout display.

The display is the other main component. It’s what allows operators to see the measurement—but not only! Besides allowing operators to safely monitor lifted loads from a distance, these types of industrial load indicators also let them perform various functions, such as data logging to record measurements for later analysis. 

At Eilon Engineering, we offer a variety of display options that are suitable for all types of lifting environments and applications. These include:

• Wireless hand-held indicator
• Wired hand-held indicator
• Detachable display
• Integrated display
• Large 5” LED display

Popular use cases for industrial hanging scales

There are countless applications for portable hanging scales like those manufactured by Eilon Engineering. Here are some of the most common.

Overload prevention

High-quality steel crane scales are a vital component in preventing dangerous overloads when lifting heavy objects. Industrial weight measurement devices like crane scales help operators stop overloads before they even occur.

Proof load testing

A proof load test is a type of load test performed to determine the maximum working load of a structural component or system. It involves weighing a predetermined load to verify the structural integrity of the lifting equipment.

Weighing during manufacture

Manufacturing processes can be streamlined by using warehouse lifting scales to weigh large objects. This lets operators lift and measure in one step, thereby eliminating the need for separate weighing stages, saving both time and reducing costs.

How to choose a new industrial hanging scale

Quality

When it comes to commercial weighing devices, quality is one factor you simply can’t ignore. When selecting a new crane scale, be sure it’s made of high-quality material. 

With close to five decades of experience, Eilon Engineering has a globally recognized reputation for using only the highest-quality materials in our crane scales, ensuring years of safe, reliable lifting and industrial crane scale accuracy.

Easy to use

All digital overhead weighing devices should be easy to operate. This saves valuable time while learning to use the system and increases safety.

Eilon Engineering systems are designed to be user-friendly, simple to operate, and can even be user-calibrated.

Affordability

When it comes to industrial hanging scales, affordability is more than just the list price. Heavy-duty crane scales that are built to last will be more affordable in the long run. Not only will the system last longer, but you’ll also save on maintenance and upkeep.