Rice Lake Mild Steel User Manual
Page 9
Mechanical Installation
5
3. Assemble the mounts by inserting either a dummy load cell or the actual LOAD
CELL into the hole in the TOP PLATE LOADING BRACKET then installing
the LOAD PIN and LOCATING PIN*. The LOAD CELL BOLTS are then
passed through the ends of the LOAD CELL and LOAD BARS and threaded into
the BASE PLATE and hand tightened.
The arrow on the load cell should point in the direction of the load.
4. Lift and block the vessel to the same height as the assembled mounts.
5. Remove the block from one support point and slide that mount into position.
6. If the mount is being fitted under the leg of a vessel, verify that the leg’s center
line passes through the center of the top plate (through the center of the load cell).
7. Lower the corner or side of the vessel carefully onto the top plate. The force of a
vessel weighing several tons can damage a load cell if dropped only a fraction of
an inch.
8. With the top plate positioned approximately level, mark holes for attaching the
top plate to the vessel’s mounting surface. Drill holes and attach top plate loosely
to vessel with suitable fasteners.
9. Repeat steps 4-10 for the mounting assemblies at the remaining corners or sides.
10. Verify that there is no initial misalignment between the BASE PLATE and TOP
PLATE and that the LOAD CELL is in the center of the hole in the TOP PLATE
LOADING BRACKET. Relocate if necessary.
11. Attach the base plates to the foundation using suitable anchors for concrete or by
bolting or welding to a steel structure. Verify that the base plates are no more than
±0.5° out of level. Shim as necessary.
12. Check that the top plates are no more than ±.5° out or level. Shim if necessary
and fully tighten mounting bolts.
13. If dummy cells are used, replace with actual LOAD CELLS. Refer to step 4.
14. To achieve equal load distribution, final height adjustments can be made with
shims between the TOP PLATE LOADING BRACKET and the weighing vessel.
The variation in load among the cells should be no more than 20%. The load dis-
tribution can be checked accurately by exciting each load cell in turn and measur-
ing the output with a voltmeter.
15. Check that the bolts securing the load cell to the BASE PLATE are tight. Torque
the LOAD CELL BOLTS to only 20 foot-pounds. This allows the double-ended
load cell to flex under load.
Note