OEL: Automated Weighing in Dynamic Application using Load Cell

Mechanical Parameter:
Load/weight is being measured in control system using load cell, amplified and transmitted to
display screen using Arduino in grams.
Desirable sensor for the parameter:
Electric Strain gauge is designed in a Wheatstone bridge circuit, and any change in
compression/tension by the weight of fluid/solid cause change in resistance of the Wheatstone
bridge circuit. It is then amplified and sent it the controller(PLC) to either stop the process or
adjust the signal according to proportional, integral and derivative(PID). The greater the load,
the greater the strain gauge stretches, the greater the resistances becomes, which is amplified
and displaced by on the Arduino or sent back in a closed loop to the PLC to either stop the
process or control the signal input to the process. The load cell is calibrated using known
weights, prior being useable.
The schematics of load cell and Wheatstone bridge circuit is shown below;

The Design of load cell varies according to application, and the weight load being measured.
The circuit designed using strain gauge also varies but mostly Wheatstone bridge is used.
Controller:
Arduino is used as a controller and is programmed and calibrated via connection with 10kg load
cell and HX711 amplifier. PLC will be used in beverage industry measuring the weight of the
liquid filled bottle to start and stop filling of the bottles in assembly line.
The Arduino is soldered with the load cell and HX711 amplifier, to measure the weight and
display the weight of the objects up to 1-gram precision. Known weights were used to program
the scale of the Arduino using PC software uploaded in the internet. The base of the load cell is
mounted onto hard plastic parts which ensures less flexibility to measure accurate weight.

Actuator:
Solenoid valve is used to start and stop filling of the bottle open signal input from PLC
controller. The electromagnetic solenoid valve opens and close upon the input current passing
the coil wrapped around the permanent magnet which allows the valve to stay open as long as
current flows through it or vice versa.

Applications:
Strain gauge is used to design Load Cell which is used in food, chemical, mining and
petrochemical industries to fill beverages in bottles, a fixed mass of mining product or raw
material, and keeping a constant level of fluid tank in chemical and petrochemical industries.
In beverages industries, bottled are placed on Load cells, which is filled by the process of filling,
and when certain mass of fluid is filled, load cell sends the signal to the controller to stop the
process of filling and move the bottled forward for next bottle to be filled. Similarly, to keep the
level of chemical tank constant in chemical and petrochemical industry, Load cells measure the
weight of fluid, and send the signal to PID controller to adjust the flow of fluid so tank me
refilled accordingly.