Load Cell Creep
Load Cell Creep
(OP)
We are experiencing a lot of creep with the weight readings from our floor scales and were wondering if anyone has had any experiences or knowledge on the mechanics of load cells and why creep occurs.
We used a Mettler Toledo floor scale (Model 2158) that was rated load 10,000 lbf to weigh a piece of equipment that was approximately 5,000 lbf. I noticed after placing the equipment on the scale the weight crept a lot more than the .03% load/20 minutes specified in the manual ... it was more like .25% load/20 minutes. The unit is probably ~5 to 10 years old and in need of calibration.
A few questions came to mind:
1. What are the causes in creep in load cells?
2. What are some reasons that might be the cause of the large amount of creep we experienced?
3. Which point of the reading is typically more accurate: initial reading or after creep?
Thanks for your help.
We used a Mettler Toledo floor scale (Model 2158) that was rated load 10,000 lbf to weigh a piece of equipment that was approximately 5,000 lbf. I noticed after placing the equipment on the scale the weight crept a lot more than the .03% load/20 minutes specified in the manual ... it was more like .25% load/20 minutes. The unit is probably ~5 to 10 years old and in need of calibration.
A few questions came to mind:
1. What are the causes in creep in load cells?
2. What are some reasons that might be the cause of the large amount of creep we experienced?
3. Which point of the reading is typically more accurate: initial reading or after creep?
Thanks for your help.
D. Lewis, P.E.





RE: Load Cell Creep
RE: Load Cell Creep
RE: Load Cell Creep
RE: Load Cell Creep
http://us.mt.com/us/en/home/supportive_content/pro...
Calibration date was in 2000. No expiration date listed. Yeah the more I dig into it the more it sounds like I should just call Mettler. I was hoping there was a simple explanation that others might have encountered.
D. Lewis, P.E.
RE: Load Cell Creep
--Scott
www.wertel.pro
RE: Load Cell Creep
RE: Load Cell Creep
RE: Load Cell Creep
dhengr... Now that you mention it, we did actually have to open the bay door (about 5 feet from the scale) to swing the equipment around with the forklift. Being it's ~95F outside today and ~80F inside it might be compensating for the temperature change. Good call. I'll have to investigate.
Thanks,
D. Lewis, P.E.
RE: Load Cell Creep
Now you have really started something.... “gooified?” If the powers-that-be see that term, every damn code and spec. in the world will have an addition seven pages of verbiage and modification factors for “gooification” vs. time, temp., modulus of “gooosity” and time of the month, etc.
RE: Load Cell Creep
In them, you rely on a coat of tar (the best, or least awful, weatherproofing) to prevent degradation of a thin film of superglue (applied carefully after extremely finicky preparation) which is expected to repeatably transfer considerable strain from the beam to the strain gage, which is made from a material that's nonideal in many ways.
In short, it's a wonder the damn things work at all. Expecting them to last a decade is pushing your luck.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Load Cell Creep
D. Lewis, P.E.