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MonOct122020
Testing America's Cup Scales
When is a kilogram not a kilogram? Sounds impossible, right? Because it is always the same block of metal or whateve... -
TueFeb252020
Weighing a vintage jet fighter aeroplane
A beautifully restored De Havilland Venom jet fighter recently attended the world-famous Napier Art Deco Show. It's believed to b...
We’re manufacturing a forkhoist bag lifter along with a bulk bag holding frame and a separateVibrator/Hopper with variable controls for adding smaller amounts.
Our client is dealing with 1 ton bags of product which need to be placed in a holding frame and then lifted with the fork hoist adaption. Lesser amounts of the product are then released into smaller bags and at the same time a much smaller quantity of a completely different mineral is simultaneously being added into the smaller bags via a vibrator/hopper sub-frame with variable controls.
Having been involved with filling systems for several years now, Advasco understands that different products can require quite specific systems, and we can design these accordingly.
If it sounds like we could be of any help to you, then please just give us a ring.
Look out for photos as we go ahead with manufacturing the equipment.
If you are selling goods by weight then the equipment you are using to determine that weight is deemed to be 'use for trade'.
'Use for trade' includes any weighing or measuring equipment that is used to determine a quantity - weight - which is being used to establish a basis for financial transaction between two parties.
All weighing and measuring equipment in 'use for trade' must be of an 'approved type' - and this is what is called a Trade-Approved scale.
Trade-Approved equipment has, through rigorous testing, been legally determined to be both suitable for trade and that it will not facilitate fraud.
Only Trade-Approved equipment can be stamped with a 'Mark of Verification' and it is a legal requirement that all equipment in 'use for trade' be stamped with a Verification Mark.
However, if you are exporting goods for sale, you are not required to use a Trade-Approved scale - this is only required for goods sold in New Zealand.
We sell a range of Trade-Approved scales that are popular with many of our customers. Small Bench scales and larger Pole display models are available from brands such as T-Scale, A and D, UWE and Ishida. Each of these brands have different models, so the more information you can give us about the required use of the scale, the easier for us to propose something suitable for your specific requirements.
A surprising number of people are still being caught out not using a Trade-Approved scale in their production when they are legally required to. Don't let this happen to you, and is it against the law and you may possibly face legal action.
And you should be very cautious about buying non Trade-Approved weighing equipment from auction and other internet sites, or whilst travelling overseas. You will not be able to use them in circumstances in New Zealand which require the use of a Trade-Approved scale.
You are welcome to ring us for advice on whether Trade-Approved weighing equipment is required in your particular situation.
Mechanical Scales
Both dial and steelyard mechanical scales work on a mechanical system of levers. At each contact point of the levers there is a knife and bearing joint to locate the levers accurately.
In dial scales the weight is transferred through a vertical connecting rod to the pointer, which is rotated through a rack and pinion. This is precisely the same way the steering on your car works, as does a mechanical clock.
In steelyard scales the connecting rod returns to knives/bearings and a lever to show the weight.
If your scale isn't working, then something is out of place, broken, loose or gone missing and these are these are the things you need to be aware of to help prevent this happening:
General use of mechanical scales:
* A violent movement, such as happens when the scale is hit or a heavy weight dropped onto the weighplate causes the plate to bounce, which in turn can cause both the knives and/or the rack and pinion to jump out of place. When this happens the scale will not zero or weigh correctly.
* A violent movement can cause a part to fall right off. Generally this happens when parts have loosened over time and use, and you would expect to find the part under the scale. Do not lose it! Some parts are now obsolete.
* Because the levers move with the weight applied they need a free area underneath, so any debris under the scale can inhibit the free movement of the scale and cause errors.
-sweeping under the scale from time to time is a good idea!
-avoid operating the scale on an uneven surface as this can cause the knives to shift.
Take care when shifting a scale from one location to another:
* Jarring or putting the scale down heavily when you move it to its new site can shift the knives so they no longer match up with the bearings. A sure sign of this is when the weighing plate rocks and is uneven.
* The levers can be broken when moving large scales with a fork hoist if the forks get caught under them rather than going right under the scale to span both sides.
The West Coast Wildlife Centre uses Advasco scales to help care for their kiwis. Yep, here at Advasco we can help you weigh all sorts of birds, from kiwis - our beautiful, unique and endangered bird, to Lockheed Hudsons - WW11 bombers which Kiwis flew in and one of which is resident at Motat.
That's Nibbles (Rowi) at five days old, on the right, and below is Othello (Haast tokoeka) at eight days. Scales are used to track the weight losses and gains of young kiwi chicks, and to weigh food for the chicks.
The West Coast Wildlife Centre is a public private partnership with the Department of Conservation. It is the official home of the incubation and captive rearing program for New Zealand’s most endangered kiwi –the Rowi and Haast tokoeka - part of the battle to save these birds from extinction. Experts in the specialist husbandry required to care for these very special birds, the West Coast Wildlife Centre offers visitors an educational experience, looking at the fight for kiwi survival.
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In the wild, only 5% of kiwi that hatch will survive to adulthood due to predation by stoats and other introduced mammalian predators. The OperationNest EggTM program involves removing wild kiwi eggs from their forest sanctuaries, hatching them in captivity and placing the chicks in a predator-free environment until they are big enough to fend for themselves. The kiwis are then returned to the wild, with each chick's survival rating now dramatically increased to 70%! Great work by the West Coast Wildlife Centre.
The Weigh to Excellence
Advasco Scales – specialists in weighing equipment
Want to talk weighing equipment? Talk to us! We will answer your enquiries promptly.
We are specialists in custom design and building of weighing equipment for specific purposes, always working in close collaboration with our clients.
We can adapt existing weighing equipment to fit a specific need or manufacture a purpose-designed item at your request.
We have an innovative and creative programmer who will respond to your software data recording needs, and if it's not a program that we already have, we're happy to discuss your requirements and provide exactly what you need.
We sell both new and second-hand scales, and yes, we do deal in trade-ins.
You can hire scales from us, for any time period you choose, to suit a wide variety of uses.
We service and repair scales and we have registered technicians who will carry out calibration accreditation tests to meet your own quality control requirements,
or any of the various legally required testing regimes such as TS and MAF.
We have a broad range of knowledge and expertise in both mechanical and electronic weighing systems, from simple mechanical scales
to multi-purpose computerised scales to systems including test rigs, and we can advise you on the best options to suit your project and budget.