Weighing large loads, as in trucks, trains, machinery, product, in the excess of 20 tons is a difficult process. Current processes require the item being measures to be placed on a scale individually. In the case of trains, each car is measured individually.
This is all about to change. Centre d'Etudes Nucléaires de Bordeaux-Gradignan (CNRS / Université Bordeaux 1) has developed a new weighing system for locomotives that is unparalleled in speed and accuracy. A steel weighbridge is placed at the level of the rails and acts as the scale itself. An analog electrical signal is read from the system and a weight derived. What is unique about this scale, measurements can be taken while the train is moving. Accuracy is within 0.5% of the actual value.
CNRS has patented the technology, and hopes to apply it to other areas in the hauling/lifting industry.
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