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3 - Lifecycle Testing To evaluate a scale’s longevity through years of constant use, lifecycle testing must be performed. A lifecycle test involves repeatedly loading and unloading the structure of the scale to replicate the stresses it will experi- ence over its life. That can involve more than two million dynamic cycles. Though some scale makers will claim that their scales are “designed” to handle two million cycles, few can say that their scales are “tested” to two million cycles. These physical tests can be expensive and time-consuming, which is why many truck scale makers do not perform them. Ask your prospective scale suppliers about the lifecycle testing they perform. Some salespeople will simply point to the CLC verification and nothing more. Remember, CLC ratings are only a very small part of the story. The CLC test verifies performance after 300 weighing cycles. That is a small fraction of the total number of weighments a truck scale should be expected to make in its lifetime. Similar to CLC, some people misinterpret deflection (bend) as a sign of the weighbridge’s strength. All weigh- bridges deflect when a load is placed on them. The stress caused by deflection is not a critical factor as long as the weighbridge does not have welds or other weak spots in high-stress areas. If the weighbridge is too stiff, the stress of repeated loading can be transferred to weak spots, causing them to fail. How deflection will affect a scale design is best evaluated by proper lifecycle testing. When evaluating weighbridges for strength, look for a design that has been thoroughly tested and meets life- cycle expectations for the types of loads you will be weighing. These tests provide more comprehensive evi- dence of the effectiveness of a scale’s design and manufacturing.
What is a Module Masher? Take a look at our specially designed lifecycle testing that directly simulates the loading of dual tandem axles. www.mt.com/weighbridgetesting
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