Complete guide to accurate silo weighing

Why is it important to calibrate a silo?

A poorly calibrated silo can distort stock tracking, generate production discrepancies and even impact the profitability of a facility.

Calibration ensures:

• Accurate weighing of stored powder or bulk materials (flour, granules, powders, liquids).
• Accurate operation of load cells/load sensors.
• Reduced material losses due to counting errors.

Silo calibration method

Silo calibration involves several key steps:

Resetting the weighing system to zero

Before starting, always reset the load cell display to zero. This eliminates any drift in the
sensors and provides a good starting point.

Using a calibration weight on a silo?

A calibration weight is generally used to calibrate load cells, but in the case of silos and given the weights involved
, this is complicated. We therefore prefer to use a bulk truck carrying the product to be stored. The truck driver
drives over the weighbridge before and after filling the silo. His delivery note indicates the exact weight of the
material transported.

Caution

During filling, ensure that:

• The powder or product is loaded into the silo without interruption and without excessive jolts.
• Ensure that no other material enters or leaves the silo during this operation. The product valves

must be closed properly. No external dust extraction system must suck product out of the silo.

Data recording

• Compare the value displayed by the weighing system with the delivered mass.
• Adjust if necessary to correct any measurement drift.

Calibration validation

Once the weighing has been confirmed and validated, the silo is correctly calibrated and ready to operate with
optimal accuracy.

Tips for successful calibration

• Beware of weighing interference: Piping, screw conveyors, vibrations or even
  mechanical stress on the silo can distort the measurement. Make sure that no external forces are
  interfering with the weighing process.
• Check the load cell cable connections: A loose connection or a poorly connected cable can cause
  significant errors in the display.
• Stabilise the silo before weighing: Avoid sudden movements and wait a few moments after
  filling for the system to stabilise. Also avoid windy days for outdoor silos.
• Recalibrate regularly: A silo can become misaligned over time. Schedule periodic checks
  to maintain optimal accuracy.

Conclusion

Whether you work with a stainless steel silo, a flexible textile silo, a flour silo, a grain storage silo
or a chemical silo, calibration is an essential step. A good methodology helps to avoid
weighing errors and ensures accurate monitoring of stored materials.

By applying these best practices and remaining vigilant on the control points, you guarantee the reliability
of your installation and optimise your stock management.