Machine displays that translate cylinder pressures into load weight is useful in many material-handling applications, such as this telehandler that can keep track of total load moved.
Machine displays that translate cylinder pressures into load weight is useful in many material-handling applications, such as this telehandler that can keep track of total load moved.
Machine displays that translate cylinder pressures into load weight is useful in many material-handling applications, such as this telehandler that can keep track of total load moved.
Machine displays that translate cylinder pressures into load weight is useful in many material-handling applications, such as this telehandler that can keep track of total load moved.
Machine displays that translate cylinder pressures into load weight is useful in many material-handling applications, such as this telehandler that can keep track of total load moved.

Equipment Display Simplifies Real-Time Weight Calculations

Feb. 13, 2019
A cost-effective weight measurement system improves loading and processing of materials using a simple user interface

Being able to measure the weight of a container or skid in applications such as material handling or crop harvesting is essential to boost productivity. If a wheel loader operator can measure the weight of each load in real time and calculate a cumulative weight, it helps measure productivity. Determining the weight of a material transferred helps minimize the number of truckloads required. In harvesting, the real-time measurement of the load of each container can increase productivity by making sure each load is filled, without being overweight. In fact, highlighting errors and overweight conditions can help increase productivity and machine up-time.

Display Functionality Improves Productivity

The PHD line of touchscreen displays provides this functionality when coupled with pressure transducers. PHD-based load weight measuring systems provide a practical solution to those seeking a cost-effective, basic load weight measuring system. The PHD28 offers more capabilities than standard number displays through dynamic screens that show the operator error and system fault messages, overweight conditions, color-coded icons, messages, and multi-lingual capabilities.

These features help improve operator productivity and reduce downtime through faster, clearer diagnostic messages. In addition, onboard CAN communication allows the PHD to interface with other devices to help automate loading and weighing processes for even better machine productivity. PHD28 displays are available as a standalone or as part of an integrated solution.

Parker’s compact PHD 28 interactive display provides flexible readout of operating parameters, which can include machine status and load weight in any of several units.

The PHD28 has a dynamic screen that changes based on the weight and system condition, as well as including an operator interface. In addition, it has built in processing power to perform the basic calculations to measure the weight, check the pressure sensor inputs for faults, rescale values in metric or imperial, or even change the font size and icons on the screen. System productivity can be improved since the screen can change dynamically, based on weight, system faults, or user errors to highlight conditions that could slow down or stop the weighing process. With its compact, 2.8-in. size, it suits many consoles and dashboards without compromising valuable space.

How It Works

In this example, two pressure sensors read the pressure on both the rod and piston side of a hydraulic cylinder while checking the inputs values and scaling the readings. The PHD28 has the processing power to calculate the corresponding force of the cylinder based on the cylinder dimensions while the weight of the container can be calculated as well.  In addition, it can be used as the operator interface to perform the tare calculations, store the value and then compute the weight of the payload. The PHD28 offers the functionality of the weight display, operator input device, and system information center in one unit to help reduce costs and save dashboard real estate.

This material was contributed by John P. Thomas, regional application engineer at Parker Hannifin’s Electronic Controls Div., Elk Grove Village, Ill. For more information, call (800) 221-9257.

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