An apparatus, a system and a method indirectly detect the operational state of a machine among a plurality of operational states and track the movement of a material through a plurality of machines.

A weighing system weighs an item within a container on a conveyor. The container is connected to the conveyor via a primary connecting means and a secondary connecting means, each of which include a first section permanently connected to the container, a second section permanently connected to the conveyor, and a third section hingedly connected to both the first section and the second section. The third sections are mutually coupled to each other, and are each rotatable about a first axis substantially parallel to the conveying direction, such that the rotation allows for movement of the container with respect to the conveyor in a vertical direction.

A weighing system weighs an item within a container on a conveyor. The container is connected to the conveyor via a primary connecting means and a secondary connecting means, each of which include a first section permanently connected to the container, a second section permanently connected to the conveyor, and a third section hingedly connected to both the first section and the second section. The third sections are mutually coupled to each other, and are each rotatable about a first axis substantially parallel to the conveying direction, such that the rotation allows for movement of the container with respect to the conveyor in a vertical direction.

An apparatus, a system and a method indirectly detect the operational state of a machine among a plurality of operational states and track the movement of a material through a plurality of machines.

An apparatus, a system and a method indirectly detect the operational state of a machine among a plurality of operational states and track the movement of a material through a plurality of machines.

An assembly line grow system for measuring growth of a plant, includes a rail system, carts moving along the rail system and carrying plants, seeds, or both, weight sensors, a proximity sensor, a camera and a master controller. The master controller is communicatively coupled to the carts, the weight sensors, the proximity sensor, and the camera. The master controller is operable to receive information from the weight sensors, the proximity sensor, and the camera, determine a growth state of a selected plant based on the information indicative of weight, color, height, or a combination thereof, and control a dosage supply component to provide a modified dosage based on the growth state.

Disclosed in one example is an idler roller for a conveyor belt weighing system, comprising a static shaft, and a load cell fixed to the static shaft and positioned at least partially internal to the static shaft and at an end of the static shaft, the load cell for supporting the idler roller on a frame. A rotating shaft seal is positioned on an exterior surface of the static shaft and internal to the idler roller. A static seal is positioned between the load cell and an interior surface of the static shaft. The static shaft includes a first pocket into which the load cell is inserted and fixed, the static shaft also includes a second pocket into which the load cell is inserted and fixed. The load cell includes one or more strain gauges, and the load cell is rigidly fixed in the end of the static shaft.

Disclosed in one example is an idler roller for a conveyor belt weighing system, comprising a static shaft, and a load cell fixed to the static shaft and positioned at least partially internal to the static shaft and at an end of the static shaft, the load cell for supporting the idler roller on a frame. A rotating shaft seal is positioned on an exterior surface of the static shaft and internal to the idler roller. A static seal is positioned between the load cell and an interior surface of the static shaft. The static shaft includes a first pocket into which the load cell is inserted and fixed, the static shaft also includes a second pocket into which the load cell is inserted and fixed. The load cell includes one or more strain gauges, and the load cell is rigidly fixed in the end of the static shaft.

A method for measuring the mass distribution along the width of a strip, in particular a dough strip, moved in the longitudinal direction of the strip and having a specified target width. At least two weighing cells are arranged at a distance to each other with respect to the width of the strip. The weight of at least one dough strand or dough piece having a width defined by the distances of the weighing cells is sensed. The mass of the partial pieces of the strip is determined on the basis of the distance of the weighing cells to each other, the position of the weighing cells along the width of the strip, the strip speed, and the measured values of the weight of the partial pieces sensed by the weighing cells, in particular over a defined time period.

A method for measuring the mass distribution along the width of a strip, in particular a dough strip, moved in the longitudinal direction of the strip and having a specified target width. At least two weighing cells are arranged at a distance to each other with respect to the width of the strip. The weight of at least one dough strand or dough piece having a width defined by the distances of the weighing cells is sensed. The mass of the partial pieces of the strip is determined on the basis of the distance of the weighing cells to each other, the position of the weighing cells along the width of the strip, the strip speed, and the measured values of the weight of the partial pieces sensed by the weighing cells, in particular over a defined time period.