Weighing Solutions for Logistics and Warehousing
Logistics sites weigh goods in and out, pallets before dispatch, small parts for picking and stock control, and vehicles entering and leaving the site. A practical set-up combines a pallet or floor scale with registration and SSCC labelling software, a counting module with a REST API, and in/out weighing software linked to ERP or WMS.
What logistics and warehouse sites weigh, and why
Logistics and warehouse sites weigh goods to confirm what arrives and leaves, to count stock without handling every item, and to record vehicle loads for invoicing and reporting. Each weighing turns a physical check into a record that the WMS, ERP or customer can use.
The weighing tasks fall into four groups:
| Task | Where | Typical load | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goods-in and goods-out weighing | Receiving dock, dispatch area | Boxes, crates, pallets | Check deliveries, registration, labels |
| Pallet weighing | Dock, marshalling area | Loaded pallets, hundreds of kilograms to tonnes | Shipping weights, load planning, SSCC labels |
| Counting by weight | Picking, stock control, packing | Small parts in bins or bags | Picking quantities, stock checks |
| Vehicle and material flows | Site entrance, yard | Vehicles, bulk deliveries | Net weight per customer, invoicing |
Goods-in and goods-out weighing with labels
Goods-in weighing works best when every weighing automatically creates a registration and a label, so the dock does not copy weights by hand. BRS is WPL software for this: each weighing on a floor or pallet scale is recorded with weight, date, time and product information, plus fields you add yourself, such as batch number, best-before date, temperature on arrival or carrier.
- Weighing list: printed with one key press for a check at the dock, or kept for digital archiving.
- Labels: item, box and pallet labels, with layouts filled from the weighing data.
- Pallet labels with SSCC: the Serial Shipping Container Code is the GS1 identification key for logistic units, so each pallet can be tracked through the supply chain.
BRS runs standalone or linked to an ERP system for real-time data transfer.
Pallet weighing in the warehouse
A pallet scale at the dock gives the shipping weight of each loaded pallet before it goes onto a truck. WPL offers two floor-level options:
| Scale | Capacities | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS pallet scale | 300 kg up to 3000 kg | From 1250×850 mm | U-shaped frame for Euro pallets, 80 mm high, optional indicator column |
| W Series floor scale | 300, 600, 1500, 3000, 6000 kg | 800×800 to 2000×2000 mm | Floor-standing or pit version; WI model in AISI 304 |
Choose a capacity above your heaviest loaded pallet, including the pallet itself; capacity and readability explains the trade-off. Both scales can be combined with the R10 weighing indicator. Every WPL scale can be supplied with an EURAMET cg-18 calibration certificate as an option.
Counting parts for picking and stock control
Counting by weight replaces hand counting for small parts: the software works out the number of pieces from the net weight and a reference weight per piece. WeightControl Count, a module for WeightControl Base, takes the reference from a counted sample, manual entry, its item database or an ERP import. Operators select items by search or barcode.
Through its REST API, Count can retrieve item data, write count results back, process production orders and register stock movements. Each result is saved with date, time, operator, item and a unique ID, which gives stock checks and order picking an audit trail.
Vehicle and material flows in and out
In/out weighing links the arrival and departure weighings of a vehicle or delivery and calculates the net weight without manual subtraction. WeightControl InOut does this and assigns the net weight to the customer. Each ticket holds an identification number, customer, description and direction.
For mobile vehicle weighing, the vehicle weighing platform is a portable aluminium pad, 57 mm high and rated IP67, in 500×400 mm (3, 6 or 10 t) and 900×500 mm (6, 10 or 15 t). Bulk deliveries can be weighed on a W Series floor scale.
Sending weighing data to ERP and WMS
Weighing data is most useful when it reaches the ERP or WMS as a structured record rather than a typed number. The R10 can send date, time, IDs and weight after each weighing over serial or Ethernet, WeightControl Count exchanges data through its REST API, and BRS links to an ERP system. Scale API integration covers the design choices, and weighing data logging lists which fields to keep. All software is listed under weighing software.
When weights are used for invoicing
If a weight determines the price charged to a customer, the scale may need to be a verified instrument. The NAWI Directive 2014/31/EU lists the determination of mass for commercial transactions as a regulated use. A shipping weight for load planning is usually not in that category; a weight on an invoice may be. Check your application with the national metrology authority, and read NAWI and MID directives explained.
Recommended WPL set-up for logistics
| Position | Task | Suggested equipment |
|---|---|---|
| Receiving dock | Goods-in registration, labels | BRS with PS pallet scale or W Series floor scale, weighing indicator, label printer |
| Dispatch | Pallet weights, SSCC labels | BRS with PS pallet scale |
| Picking and stock control | Counting small parts | WeightControl Base with Count |
| Site entrance or yard | Vehicles and bulk deliveries | WeightControl Base with InOut, vehicle weighing platform or W Series |
Practical tips
- Place the scale in the flow. Put the pallet scale where pallets already stop, so weighing adds no extra move.
- Store tare values. Record pallet and container tare weights per type.
- Weigh counting samples carefully. A larger reference sample gives a more reliable piece weight.
- Check daily. Place a known test weight on the scale at the start of each shift.
Related knowledge
Preguntas frecuentes
What is an SSCC and why print it on a pallet label?
The Serial Shipping Container Code is a GS1 identification key for a logistic unit such as a pallet. Printing it as a barcode on the pallet label lets every party in the supply chain scan the pallet and link it to the shipment data, including the weight recorded at dispatch.
How accurate is counting parts by weight?
It depends on how uniform the parts are, how fine the scale reads compared with the weight of one piece, and how the reference weight was set. Larger reference samples and a scale with fine readability give better results. For very small parts, WeightControl Count supports multiple decimal places.
Can a pallet scale be connected to our WMS?
Yes, as long as the weighing data leaves the scale as a structured record. The R10 indicator can send date, time, IDs and weight over serial or Ethernet after each weighing, and software such as BRS or WeightControl Count can pass data on to ERP or WMS. Agree the data fields with your IT team first.
Do we need a verified scale for shipping weights?
Not necessarily. Verification under the NAWI Directive matters when the weight is used for a regulated purpose such as a commercial transaction, for example when goods are invoiced by weight. Weights used only for internal checks or load planning are usually outside that scope. Confirm with your national metrology authority.
Fuentes
Escrito y revisado por los ingenieros de pesaje de WPL Industries. El contenido técnico y normativo se verifica con las fuentes citadas. Política editorial
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