A weighfeeder is a component of an industrial conveyer

system used to measure the amount of material traveling

through the conveyer system. The weighfeeder is responsible for
measuring the amount of material, typically bulk materials, that
are contained on the weigh belt at any given time. The weigh
feeder provides the mass flow rate measurement for the system,
allowing for process control and automation.
Weighfeeders can:
control flow rate of material into or out of a
process
indicate flow rate of material during processing
totalize material for inventory monitoring
quality control for material batching
production monitoring
Advatages of weighfeeders
High accuracy
Fast installation
Simple cleaning and maintenance
Simple changing of belt for replacement and
cleaning
Customized design
Construction
The material of construction for the weighfeeder should meet the
demands of the environment it is being placed in. Indoor ambient applications
are well suited to mild steel painted versions, where outdoor or wash-down
applications should be of a stainless steel construction. The end-user will
typically request an open or enclosed style design based on their application
history and the regulations for their plant and local government. Where no
indication is given on any of these options, best practices should be followed.
Open style units are better suited to wash down in critical applications in the
food and chemical process industries. Enclosed versions help control dust and
environmental contamination.
Product Selection
Application needs

Drives the specific selection of models and options.

The environment will also play a part: the weighfeeder
should be stainless in corrosive areas or near sea ports.
If the location is considered hazardous, approved
electrical components will be needed.
 Price point
Influences the selection of the type of weighfeeder.
Open style models by their nature are less expensive,
but if the application is not suited to them, they should
not be used.
 Weighfeeder sizing
Limitations based on application needs and product
features or performance will narrow the selection of the
product in most cases. Product size, sensor
optimization, and material flow means are all considered
when a weighfeeder is engineered.
Types of weighfeeders

Belt weighfeeder with controlled belt speed

- belt weighfeeders with controlled belt speed are belt-assisted feeders
whose belt speed is adapted so it attains the nominal delivery rate.

- since the same amount of material is not always transported on the

conveyor belt, the belt speed must be varied to achieve a constant feed
rate per unit of time. The weight of the material transported is
determined by weighing the belt load and measuring the belt speed.

- depending on design, belt weighfeeders have delivery rates ranging

from several kilograms to several hundred tons an hour.
 Belt weighfeeder with metering hopper
- belt weighfeeders with metering hoppers have a controlled
feeder which adjusts the amount of material on the belt.
- these metering hoppers, which may be chutes, augers, radial
vane rotors or conveyor belts, feed precisely the right amount of
material to the conveyor belt.
- belt weighfeeders are suited to bulk materials which flow easily
and dont stick to the belt and can handle very large mass flows.
 Flow measurement is the quantification of
bulk fluid movement.
A completely different method exists for measuring flow
rates, measuring how much material has either departed
or arrived at the terminal locations over time.
 Mathematically, we may express flow as a ratio of
quantity to time. Whether it is volumetric flow or mass
flow we are referring to, the concept is the same:
quantity of material moved per quantity of time. We may
express average flow rates as ratios of changes:
Where,
W = Average mass flow rate
Q = Average volumetric flow rate
m = Change in mass
V = Change in volume
t = Change in time