The FDA has created stringent rules on how companies can label food products. For instance, they need to practice extreme caution when using terms like “calorie-free” and “sugar-free.”
Companies also need to make sure food products weigh exactly what they’re supposed to based on their packaging. They use machines called checkweighers to ensure they’re providing people with, say, 12-ounce cereal boxes and not 11-ounce ones.
Static scale and in-motion checkweighers are two popular checkweigher options. So, what are the differences between static scale vs. in-motion checkweighers?
Importance of Accurate Weighing in Various Industries
Companies that operate in a wide range of industries must take accurate weighing seriously. Companies in the food processing industry, in particular, must have accurate weights listed on their products to remain in accordance with the FDA’s rules. They run the risk of encountering fines, food recalls, and other penalties if they’re ever caught mislabeling package weights.
But this isn’t the only reason companies place such a big importance on accurate weighing. They also do it because, if they sell packages that contain fewer products than they should, it can harm their reputation. It won’t be long before someone catches on to what they’re doing and complains publicly.
Companies prioritize accurate weighing because of the impact it can have on their bottom line, too. If companies constantly package food products that are heavier than they should be, it’ll cut into their profits.
For each of these reasons, you should aim to use the proper weighing systems within your manufacturing facility. Both static checkweighers and machines capable of conducting in-motion checkweighing can work wonders for your company’s reputation and profitability.
Static Scale: Overview
To come to the correct conclusion at the end of the static scale vs. in-motion checkweighers debate, you need to know what each of these options brings to the table. We’ll start by touching on static scales to showcase how they could potentially benefit your business when it comes to maintaining quality control.
Definition and Functionality
A static scale is a type of scale that weighs products while they’re standing still. More often than not, these types of checkweighers are utilized by companies that spot-check the weights of sample products to find out if they’re underweight, overweight, or right on target.
Static scales are a great option for companies that plan to manually weigh products as they roll down the production line. They have special load cells in them that make it easy for workers to quickly and accurately weigh products without causing any delays.
Advantages and Limitations
Companies can enjoy a long list of benefits when they invest in static scales. For starters, these types of checkweighers tend to cost less than the alternatives. They also often require a lot less maintenance.
However, there may be downsides that come along with static scales. For instance, they’ll only allow you to check the weights of some of your products as opposed to all of them. This could leave you susceptible to producing underweight and overweight products without even realizing it.
Static scales are also more prone to user errors than other checkweighers. If the worker using one makes a mistake, it could produce an incorrect reading. You shouldn’t have to worry about this side of the debate when relying on in-motion checkweighing.
In-Motion Checkweighers: Overview
Now that you understand what static scales are, let’s jump into talking about in-motion checkweighers. They’re more modern machines that have caught on among companies that prefer to weigh items while they’re moving through the production process. Here’s what you should know:
Definition and Functionality
In-motion checkweighers, which are also sometimes referred to as dynamic checkweighers, offer a more efficient way for companies to weigh food products and other products. They’re designed to weigh all the items that move down a production line while they’re in motion.
In-motion checkweighers are the ideal solution for companies that don’t want to just check products at random to make sure they weigh the right amount. Companies can automate their weighing systems by going with in-motion checkweighers.
Advantages and Limitations
Just like static scales, in-motion checkweighers provide companies with a variety of benefits. Here are a few:
- They check to see that 100% of a company’s products weigh the right amount
- They reduce customer complaints about a company’s products weighing too much or not enough
- They make a company’s profits more predictable
The only real downside to using in-motion checkweighers is that they’re often costlier than static scales and require more maintenance. But these are small prices to pay when you consider all the advantages of utilizing them.
Comparison Between Static Scale and In-Motion Checkweighers
Not sure if your company should go with a static scale vs. in-motion checkweighers or vice versa? Comparing these two types of checkweighers is the only surefire way to decide which one is the best option for your specific business. Discover the differences between static scales and in-motion checkweighers below.
Accuracy Comparison
In theory, both static scales and in-motion checkweighers should provide companies with the same accuracy levels, provided they’re well-maintained and serviced. But you could argue that in-motion checkweighing gives companies a slight edge in the accuracy department.
Since in-motion checkweighers look at the weights for 100% of products, there won’t be any product outliers that are lighter or heavier than what a company advertises. The same can’t always be said for static scales since they only look at the weights of one or two sample products at a time, opening up the possibility of heavier or lighter outliers sneaking through.
Throughput Comparison
To weigh products using static scales, companies need to slow down their production lines at least temporarily so that they can pull certain products off and weigh them. It can decrease the throughput of a company’s production process in many cases.
The throughput will remain at a high level with in-motion checkweighers since all products will get weighed automatically while they’re moving. It can speed up the process and get products shipped out faster than they would otherwise.
Cost Comparison
One area in which static scales outshine in-motion checkweighers is the cost category. Purchasing an in-motion checkweighing machine will usually set a company back more than a static scale would.
But companies should remember the benefits of buying in-motion checkweighers when considering their costs. By improving productivity and minimizing the risks of operator errors, companies can get extensive value out of in-motion checkweighers.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Between the Two Systems
Still undecided on whether your company should invest in a static scale or an in-motion checkweigher? Here are several factors you should keep in mind when you’re trying to make a final decision.
Industry Requirements
The industry your company operates in is one of the first factors you should consider when deciding between static scale vs. in-motion checkweighers. Some industries, like the food processing industry, include companies that need products to weigh precisely what they should. It’s a good enough reason to go with in-motion checkweighers vs. static scales.
Production Volume
Does your company produce 50 products per day or 5,000 of them? The more products your company churns out daily, the more you could probably benefit from in-motion checkweighers that won’t slow you down. A low production volume could allow you to check every product weight with a static scale, if desired.
Budget Constraints
Your budget is one more factor to weigh when you’re wrestling with the static scale vs. in-motion checkweighers decision. If you’re on a tight budget, static scales can help you stick to it. But you should still at least think about how in-motion checkweighers could save you time and money in the end.
Applications and Industries
Static scales and in-motion checkweighers have both earned homes in a variety of industries. Knowing which industries they’re utilized in could play a key part in helping you decide which is the better choice.
Industries Where Static Scales Excel
Static scales are typically used in industries like the:
- Consumer goods industry
- Automotive industry
- Retail industry
Industries Where In-Motion Checkweighers Are Preferred
In-motion checkweighers are common in industries like:
- Food industry
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Packaging industry
Regulatory Compliance Requirements in Certain Industries
Some industries, like the food processing industry, have strict regulations in place when it comes to maintaining uniform weights for products. Companies can get in big trouble by not using the right checkweighers to weigh their products to make sure they’re complying with the requirements.
If you work in an industry like this, an in-motion checkweigher will serve as your best bet in many instances. It’ll help your company adhere to the compliance guidelines that organizations like the FDA come up with for companies.
Contact Us To Shop for Checkweighers for Your Company
After learning more about static scale vs. in-motion checkweighers, would you like to give in-motion checkweighers a try? TDI Packsys has standard in-motion checkweighers, multi-sorting in-motion checkweighers, high-performance in-motion checkweighers, and more. Call us at 877-834-6750 today to see which options would work best for your company.
