Minebea Intec, a global provider of industrial weighing and inspection technologies, is expanding its production capacity of its load cells. The company has invested in a 2-ton dead load testing machine and a new turning center at its site in Hamburg, Germany.
Whether storage tank or external silo, batching vessel, mixer or reactor, Minebea Intec offers equipment for hopper scales: digital and analog load cells and weigh modules, weighing electronics, cable junction boxes and installation kits for different application requirements. "Our weighing solutions guarantee precise, continuous, fast and flexible dosing and filling processes and minimise material losses," said Yannick Salzmann, global product manager at Minebea Intec. "They are also used as a hygienic solution for fill level control."
In order to keep production times for load cells as short as possible in the future and to offer maximum flexibility and high availability for customer requirements, Minebea Intec has invested in the consistent expansion of automation. "With our two new machines, we can reduce production costs, increase efficiency and improve quality," said Dr. Olaf Krusemark, head of industrial engineering at Minebea Intec. "These investments underline our commitment to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction."
The requirements for the properties of scales and load cells are specified in various International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) documents. OIML R60 deals with the metrological requirements for load cells and specifies the requirements for the expanded measurement uncertainty of the standard used to calibrate the load cells. "These uncertainties can only be achieved with deadweight standards or comparably accurate standards," said Krusemark. "With the new system, all our load cells are measured in such a way that they comply with the OIML across the entire specified temperature range."
The main advantage of the 2-ton dead load machine in load cell production is the implementation of a load cell magazine, full automation and the digital connection to the Minebea Intec production network, noted Krusemark. A load cell magazine for 32 load cells arranged in a circle was realized within the temperature chamber. The operator loads the magazine with 32 load cells and starts the measuring process, which lasts several hours. Each of the 32 magazine slots has a quick-connect terminal with eight-wire connection technology for connecting the load cell cable to a multiplexer amplifier system located outside the temperature chamber.
"With the dead-load loading machine, we can reduce the load on our other production systems, thereby producing more load cells overall and shortening our delivery times," said Krusemark. "This machine ensures that every load cell that leaves the Minebea Intec factory meets the customers' requirements for precision and reliability."
Investment in a new turning center
Minebea Intec has also invested in a new turning center, which will further increase production capacity. A turning center, similar to the dead load machine, makes it possible to produce complex shapes and surfaces with a high degree of accuracy. "By using this turning center, we can further increase our productivity and at the same time ensure the quality of our load cells," said Krusemark.
"These investments in our production facilities are an important step in further consolidating our position as a leading provider of weighing and inspection technologies. By modernizing our production facilities, we can not only meet the growing demand, but also increase our competitiveness and efficiency," said Dr Karl Sommer, CEO and COO of Minebea Intec.
