Thompson Scale Releases Dual-Lane
Checkweighers for Increased Productivity

(May 6, 2004) HOUSTON, TX – Thompson Scale Company, a leader in checkweighing systems, packaging machinery controls, and custom production scales, announced today the release of its Sonic 350 Dual-Lane Small Package Checkweighers. These advanced checkweighers provide additional weighing options and increase productivity by utilizing a second parallel conveyor belt for weighing more packages.

The Dual-Lane Sonic 350 Checkweigher is designed for in-motion weighing of semi-rigid or flexible and hard-to-handle products weighing from 10 grams to 10 kilograms with accuracies of up to +/- 0.1 gram. This checkweigher weighs products of virtually any shape or size (up to 18 inches in length) at production rates of up to 400 units per minute. Examples of products compatible with the Sonic 350-D include raw meats, poultry, fish, vegetables, or flexible packages (such as bagged pasta, liquid-filled packages, or bags of sugar).

The unique design of dual-lane conveyor belts increases output of packaged products by weighing twice as many items, while maintaining complete accuracy. These checkweighers double the production capacity possible, but only utilize the space needed for one piece of equipment. Another benefit is that they can weigh product from two different production lines on a common conveyor line, which conveniently allows users to determine the production line that may be off the target weight.

The Sonic 350 Dual-Lane Checkweigher also optimizes packaging machinery. It does this by sending the packaging machine twice the number of items per minute in an attempt to maximize the machine’s packaging capacity. This ensures that the packaging machinery is used to its full potential, making it a more cost effective piece of equipment. This improvement in production rate comes without having to increase conveyor speeds in the production line.

The Sonic 350-D features quick and simple operation with easy changeover from product to product. Its conveyor belts are food-grade compliant while the stainless steel construction is tough enough to handle almost any product in any environment, yet is responsive in both accuracy and performance. Networked servo motors provide responsive performance with conveyor speeds of up to 250 feet per minute, set digitally through the scale’s controls. Unlike other systems on the market, the Sonic 350 utilizes a single static calibration to provide accurate and repeatable weights over the range of the scale.

The controllers for these highly advanced checkweighers can hold 75 unique product setups in memory and display useful information on production as each unit crosses the scale. The checkweigher controller offers either English or Spanish menus in full sentences for better comprehension.

These versatile checkweighing systems are constructed of all stainless steel components and are available in various configurations to meet specific requirements: food grade (compliant applications), washdown and corrosive applications, as well as hazardous environments up to Class I, Division 1. They also offer a wide variety of reject options such as optional conveyors, light displays, alarms, reporting packages, communication interfaces, and Eriez® brand metal detectors.

The Dual-Lane Sonic 350 Checkweigher is available now. For more information, call 713/932-9071 or visit the Thompson Scale website at http://www.thompsonscale.com/sonic350models.htm.

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