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Interface Solutions for Waste Management Applications

Interface measurement and sensor solutions exist in all kinds of industries. If lifting or pulling an object, verifying torque, or testing the weight or load is required for monitoring safety or performance, chances are there are sensor technologies in play. Interface load cells, torque transducers, shackles, and load pins are commonly used along with various types of instrumentation for these kinds of specialized measurement functions.

An industry that heavily relies on Interface precision technologies for weighing, testing, and measurement is the waste management industry. This is an industry that requires an ability to measure various functions and materials, from hazardous waste disposal to recycling technologies, to operate. Waste management utilizes Interface sensors to provide routine data in real-time that provides accurate performance information for equipment, from garbage transport vehicles to waste and storage containers.

The reason product design engineers and manufacturers of waste management equipment and vehicles choose Interface is because we provide quality sensor components for accurate and reliable output that they can depend on for this critical service.

The various types of equipment and vehicles used for different functions of waste management must perform at high standards ensure the safety of users and consumers. It also is a requirement in maintaining the proper use, production and sanitation tasks related to storage, treatment, reuse, recycling, and disposal. The following are a couple of application notes that highlight the use of Interface products utilized by our customers that are in the waste management industry.

WASTE MANAGEMENT CONTAINER WEIGHING

A waste management company wanted to measure the capacity of their waste containers to know when it is time to dispose the waste. Interface provided Model WTS 1200 Standard Precision LowProfile™ Wireless Load Cells to be installed at the bottom of each waste container leg to measure the sum weight of the container. The real time weight data is then transmitted to the WTS-BS-4 USB Industrial Base Station with the supplied Log100 software. Using this solution, the customer was able to determine when their waste container was at full capacity to dispose of the waste, or to transfer it in a timely manner.  Read more here.

GARBAGE TRUCK ON-BOARD WEIGHING

When a garbage disposal company wanted to test the load capacity of their garbage truck bins to know when it has reached maximum capacity, they reached out to Interface to suggest a system that could provide data in real time. Interface’s solution was to customize and install four SSB Sealed Beam Load Cells under the garbage box body, on either side. When trash continues to be piled inside the box body, it will push more force down onto the SSB Sealed Beam Load Cells. When maximum load capacity has been reached, the results can be reviewed and displayed when connected to the 482 Battery Powered Bidirectional Weight Indicator in real time. Using this customized system, the customer was able to test the maximum load capacity of the garbage bin attached to the truck, so they know when to empty the truck’s garbage at the transfer station. Learn more here.

We offer off-the-shelf solutions to the waste management industry suppliers and equipment manufacturers. We can build to custom products based on exact specifications for one or many devices to fit every vehicle or for testing functions in the lab. Success happens when we work directly with our customers get the best products in hand for their unique requirements.

To learn more about how Interface serves the waste management industry, or any of the other industries we serve, please check out our solutions overview here.

Force Measurement Solutions for Bolt and Screw Fastening

Among the many applications of force measurement devices, one that appears to be a simple application can have a big impact on worker safety, productivity, waste reduction, assembly and product performance. In this new animated application note highlight, we take a look at the tools used for bolt fastening measurement.

Bolts and screws are used to secure different pieces or components together for nearly every product imaginable, especially when it comes to large machinery and even automobiles. The success of these products and the manufacturing of these components requires a strict level of detail that goes into the tightness of a bolt. It’s not like your typical “do it yourself” furniture where you just tighten a screw or bolt until you can’t anymore. The precision needed for certain objects to be tightened to the exact measurement is mandatory.

Interface provides measurement solutions for all types of industrial automation and toolset testing used in thousands of applications that ultimately are utilized in the building of products. In the example below, we provided devices that are used to determine the exact bolt force and tightness necessary. The goal of measuring the tightness is to avoid under or overtightening. As you can imagine, under tightening can cause components to come apart. However, over tightness can also cause significant damage to the pieces being bolted together.

Bolt Fastening Application

To show the process of measuring bolt tightness, check out this latest use case video demonstration.

For this bolt fastening application, the customer used an Interface Model LWCF Load Washer along with an Interface Model INF-USB3 Single Channel PC Interface Module to monitor force being applied during bolt tightening. The data transferred from the bolt clamping force load cell load washer with a thru-hole, to the instrumentation is displayed, logged and graphed directly onto a computer for analysis and performance testing.

This is a basic example of the test and measurement process, however, Interface also contributed to a number of real-world projects and created applications notes to provide an illustration. One of our favorites is when an industrial automation company was building an automated assembly machine for an automotive manufactur­ing plant.

The product engineers and testing team needed to tighten all of the head bolts on an engine on their assembly line to a specific torque value. Having the head bolts precisely and consistently tightened to the engine block is critical to the operation of the engine.

To measure this force, several Interface Model T33 Spindle Torque Transducers were installed in their new machine to control torque and angle and ensure the head bolt was properly tight­ened. The square drive of the T33 allowed the customer to fix their tool directly to the end of the torque sensor, streamlining the installation.

Using this solution, the head bolts were correctly installed according to manufacturer specifications, producing an engine that meets performance and reliability expectations of the auto manufacturing plant.

Here are additional solutions that showcase how Interface load cells, torque transducers, instrumentation and custom solutions are used for various tools and manufacturing processes across various industries.

Aircraft Screwdriver Fastening Control

Fastening Work Bench

Bolt Fastening Force and Torque

Interface Solutions for Robotics and Industrial Automation

Contact us to learn more how we can help you ensure the right fastening and machine control for your next projects.