Volumetric Scanning For Rail Or Mining – How Do I Know Which Product Is Best For My Business?

Volumetric scanning represents a relatively new weight measurement technology and provides improved efficiencies for applications across a broad range of industries. Technology like this enables industrial, mining and construction processes to manage payloads more effectively.

Volumetric Scanning systems use 3D imaging software to measure bulk materials that have been loaded into trucks and rail wagons. While a vehicle passes slowly beneath the scan head, the system can automatically scan the load, record the results, and send them directly to an operator. Volumetric scanning has set the industry standard, and its implementation will transform how your construction, mining or industrial applications handle payloads.

Volumetric scanners provide reliable accuracy and performance in almost any weather or working conditions. Scanning is not affected by variables like moisture content, compaction or uneven loads. Trakblaze’s volumetric load scanning systems contain many time-saving features, such as touchscreen operation and cloud data sharing.

Trakblaze provides a mobile volumetric scanner (MVS), which combines the volumetric scanning features of both a rail volumetric scanner (RVS) and a mining truck volumetric scanner (TVS), but with the versatility of being moveable to any desired location.

Trakblaze’s RVS is specifically designed to quickly and accurately measure the volume in all open top rail wagons. Rail volumetric scanning software lets operators capture critical metrics directly from the scanning lasers, while a customised algorithm provides precise load volume information and train measurement parameters.

Trakblaze’s TVS is used to in the mining industry to measure bulk loads carried in haul trucks or various sizes from smaller underground trucks through to the largest of the Ultra Trucks. In the TVS system, mining dump trucks drive slowly under an elevated scan head. Whenever a dump truck crosses area below the scan head, it falls within its field of view and takes thousands of distance measurements per second.

The trailer for the MVS is equipped with a two-stage lifting boom to ensure that the best height is reached for each individual vehicle. This scanner has outrigger legs, stability guy ropes, and lock-out positions that ensure the scanner head is stable when fully erected. As the vehicles pass slowly beneath the scan head, all the information derived from the recent scan can be viewed immediately and is stored in the controller’s memory.

However, the question remains how do I know which product suits my business best?

Multiple factors influence the answer. Both RVS and TVS are designed to support onsite tasks and permanently mounted in a specific site location; thus, they are purchased according to the requirements and needs of the worksite.

The MVS is ideal for short term installations for and is totally versatile, but the cost of the trailer and some limitations on the height and reach of the scan head, can mean a permanent solution is more desirable.

After reading the above article, you may have gained sufficient knowledge of these different types of scanners and their functions, enabling you to decide which will be the most useful to your business. That said, if you still require any additional information of clarifications,  Trakblaze are industry leaders and are ready to answer any of your questions.