There are many different ways automotive parts manufacturers include quality control programs into their production lines. When it comes to those companies making connecting rods for new vehicles or for custom car, equipment or truck designs, ensuring the connecting rods are balanced is a critical part of quality control.
To ensure the right balance with the rods, a connecting rod scale can be used in two different ways. By choosing the right scale, it is possible to have a single scale capable of both in-process as well as standalone weighing used for quality control inspections.
Weighing Methods
Ideally, selecting a scale with a dual weighing system to simultaneously weigh both ends is the critical factor. These scales can be customized from the manufacturer to come with the cradle needed for the specific connecting rod configuration at either end.
The connecting rod is placed on the respective side of the scale in the customized cradle. The system then weighs both ends of the connecting rod and compares it to the allowable weight range pre-programmed into the system.
This information is then displayed on an LED digital readout. Look for a connecting rod scale that displays the over or underweight to the desired ideal weight programmed in the system. This means the operator can tell at a glance if the connecting rod is balanced or, if not, by how much it is out of balance.
Important Factors to Consider
To ensure the weight on the connecting rod scale is precise with each connecting rod, choose a system that has an automatic re-zero between each weight. Additionally, a system with simple push-button calibration allows full control of the operation of the system by the operator, without the need for longer downtime with other calibration methods.
