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Continuous Loss-in-Weight Blenders Chapter 3: Installation 31
Controller Setup
This section describes the proper setup of the continuous loss-in-weight blending system
control parameters. These parameters are operator changeable; however, these items should
only require setup during the initial installation. Only authorized personnel should change
them. For security reasons, the menu that is used to access these parameters is password
protected.
Many of the variables and setup parameters have been preset at the factory and do not need to
be changed. However, this section of the manual will address all of the blender setup
parameters that were available at the time of printing. The purpose of this is to familiarize the
reader with all the setup parameters and their usage.
The following parameters will be discussed:
9 Changing Recipes
• View Recipe
• Change Recipe
• Recipe Book
9 Hopper Setup
• Set Hopper Size
9 Calibration
• Scale (Hoppers)
• Feeder
9 Password
• User
• Service
• ACS Only
9 Units
• Metric or Standard
9 FIFO Diagnostics
• Mass Flow
• Feeder
9 Network Information
9 Alarm log
9 Alarm Setup
Scale Calibration
The heart of the blending system is the load cells. They monitor the weight in each of the
ingredient weigh hoppers and the lower mass flow weigh hopper. As the load cells are reading
the actual material weight loss that is removed from the weigh hoppers by the feeders or the
extruder, 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 rechecked periodically with a calibration weight to ensure that they have
not been damaged in the normal routine of cleaning, color changes, etc.
The calibration of each load cell is done by using two 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 that will be used in the load cell calibration procedure is a known
amount of weight for the weigh hopper. Provided with the blending system is a calibration
weight. The calibration weight is stamped with its actual weight on top. If this is not available,
any object with a known accurate weight to the nearest 1/100
th
of a lb. in the 5 – 10 lb. range