Alpha Checkweighers are known for their high quality design and construction. Alpha takes pride in offering highly-accurate quality assurance machines that are both economical and efficient. There are some components that are absolutely integral to the function of each and every checkweigher, and this blog will focus on the components used to create a standard 12” belt conveyor. These machines overall are comprised of a rigid stainless frame, control box to house electrical components, digital touch screen (HMI) readout, conveyor system, and highly-sensitive scale. Other accessories such as rejects, side-belt transfers, and extra conveyors can be added to each machine.

A method of delivery for the packages to the scale other than hand-weighing is necessary in production facilities to save both time and achieve heightened accuracy. A conveyor system is the perfect solution to meet the production rates of our customers. Our standard 12” belt conveyors utilize black anodized side bars and tie bars to create a rigid frame for the belt to ride on. Stainless socket cap hardware is used to assemble this frame.

Precision machined aluminum rollers with pressed bearings on either end are mounted to this frame with stainless rods. One of these rollers has a pulley pressed into the end of it where a belt connected to a dedicated conveyor motor can be attached. The other roller utilizes a thumb knob mounted into the roller rod at either end. These thumb knobs create a fine adjustment for the tracking of the conveyor belts. By rotating either of these thumb knobs clockwise or counter-clockwise; it is possible to adjust the belt of the conveyor left or right until perfectly centered. Prior to placing the conveyor belt onto the frame, where the product will travel across, a conveyor belt guard made of dimpled stainless sheet steel is mounted to the anodized frame. This allows for smooth travel of the conveyor belt around the frame and also gives the product a smooth platform to ride along

Motor mounts are necessary but vary in design for each model of checkweigher and each specific application. Varying on application there are three styles of motors that Alpha uses. Wash down safe, and dry wipe are the two basic categories to choose from. Each of these motors will be mounted to the motor mount with a pulley attached to the shaft of the motor. This motor will then attach to the roller with the pulley pressed into end of it via a belt. This motor will then be wired into the stainless steel control box and will drive the conveyor it is mounted to.

With most checkweighers, three of these conveyors will be mounted to the checkweigher frame. An infeed conveyor, scale conveyor, and outfeed conveyor are used to deliver the package, weigh the package, and then move the package out of the weigh station and onto the next location within a customer’s manufacturing facility.

For more information regarding checkweighers, please contact our Alpha sales representative Brian Jones. He can be reached at BrianJ@Alphacheckweighers.com. Already own a checkweigher and have questions about it? Please contact our Field Service department by calling 610-524-7350 where they will be more than willing to help answer your questions.