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Gravimetric Batch Blenders w/Mitsubishi Control Chapter 3: Installation 47
Why Blender Calibration is Necessary
The load cells on the Slide Gate/Auger blender are FACTORY CALIBRATED. Since the
load cells can be subject to shock loading during shipping, moving, etc., we recommend that
they be recalibrated.
The heart of the blending system is the load cell with the supply calibration weight. They
monitor the weight off each ingredient added to the blender weigh hopper. Since load cells
are reading the actual material weight that is metered by the feeders, the proper calibration
of these load cells is essential for the correct operation of the blender. This calibration
must be performed upon initial installation and startup of the blender. They should also be
checked once a month with a calibration weight and if necessary recalibrated to ensure
that they have not been damaged in the normal routine of removing and replacing the
weigh hopper for cleaning, color changes, etc.
The calibration of each load cell is accomplished by using two reference points on the output
of the load cell scale. The first of these points is known as the “Tare Weight”. This is the
weight of the empty hopper assembly on the load cell. This is also known as the zero weight
point (starting point) of the scale. This zero or starting point must be initialized with an empty
weigh hopper. There must be no binding or leverage put on the load cell.
The second weight point used in the load cell calibration procedure is a known amount of
weight for the weigh hopper. A calibration weight is provided with all Slide Gate/Auger
blending systems. The calibration weight is stamped with its actual weight on top. If this is
not available, any object with a known weight accurate to the nearest 1/100th of a pound, in
the 2 - 10 lb. range, proportional to your size blender, will suffice. (The weight should be as
close as possible to the maximum batch size you plan to run.) The weight will be in pounds,
unless the blender is provided for metric operation. In the case of a metric blender display,
the weight to be used is calibrated in kilograms.
Given the two weight points on the load cell scale, the controller should determine any other
weight on the load cell span. This is limited to the maximum capacity of the load cell. The
standard load cell used on these blenders has a span accuracy of
1
/10%.
The maximum capacity of each load cell is clearly marked on top of the load cell. This value
will be indicated in kilograms (1 kg = 2.2 lbs.).
Weigh Hopper (Load Cell) Calibration on blenders equipped with an OptiMix mixer
Enter the Setup menu as described previously. See Page 59 for menu tree.
The factory pre-calibrates the weigh hopper on the Slide Gate/Auger blenders.
Button #3 on the Setup Menu is “Calibration”. Press it to enter the screen (shown below)
which will prompt you to enter the Calibration area. Press the button marked “Scale
Calibration” to enter the scale calibration menu.
Go Back to Setup
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