Primary Certification of a 5[th] Class Mass Unit Standard for Verification of Belt Weigher and Continuous Weigh Feeders with Enhanced Accuracy of Mass Unit Transfer

In 2021, the Laboratory of Metrology of Magnetic Measurements and Non-Destructive Testing of UNIIM Affiliated Branch of the D. I. Mendeleyev Institute for Metrology developed and certified a 5[th] class mass unit standard. The standard is intended for metrological support of industrial mass measuring instruments belt weigher and continuous weigh feeders.

However, the relative error of the certified 5[th] class mass unit standard, equal to 0.3 %, allowed verification only of belt weigher and continuous weigh feeders having an error of 1 % or more. Meanwhile, a significant portion of belt weigher and continuous weigh feeders have an error limit of 0.5 %.

The aim of the work is to reduce the error of the method for transferring the mass unit to the 5[th] class standard from 0.3 % to 0.16 %, thereby allowing the use of certified standards for transferring the mass unit to belt weigher and continuous weigh feeders with an error of 0.5 %.

The research is based on the material and technical facilities and the mathematical model of mass unit transfer used in 2021 during the certification of the initial 5[th] class mass unit standard.

An analysis was carried out of the dominant influencing factors arising during the transfer of the mass unit from the 4[th] class standard to the 5[th] class standard, and a set of measures was adopted to minimize them. The mathematical model of mass unit transfer was refined to account for the influence of the unloaded conveyor belt proportionally to its position relative to the belt weigher. Software implementing this mathematical model was developed with an increased sampling rate and built-in analysis algorithms. A speed sensor with a measurement error reduced to 0.06 % was installed. Mechanical stabilization of the position and tension of the conveyor belt was adjusted.

As a result of eliminating the influencing factors and refining the mathematical model of mass unit transfer, it became possible to certify a 5[th] class mass unit standard having an expanded uncertainty (relative error) of 0.16 %. The practical significance of the work lies in the fact that it is now possible to provide accurate metrological support for high-tech weighing equipment under industrial operating conditions.

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