The guide element consists of two ball joint heads, a spacer and two flanges for installation on the combination mounting unit.

The additive guide element can also be retrofitted on combination mounting units if unexpected lateral forces occur during operation of the scales and the combination mounting unit was installed in accordance with the requirements (see "Guide elements").

The guide element diverts horizontal forces up to 1.7 kN to the foundation and therefore minimizes effects on the load cells and the mounting components. The load cell and combination mounting unit are not included in the scope of delivery of the guide element.

Horizontal forces occur e.g. during mixing operations with container scales or when the material to be weighed with roller table scales creates acceleration forces.

Depending on the individual requirements and mechanical design of the scales, other guide elements that are precisely matched to specific mounting conditions are available on request (e.g. round-head bolt guides).

Schematic diagram

Basic installation

Guide elements are used to maintain the position of the scales with reference to the foundation.

Guide elements are used when undesirable horizontal forces occur during the weighing process (e.g. due to mixing operations with container scales or acceleration of the material to be weighed with conveyor scales). Guide elements can be used to maintain precision and reliability of the load cells and mounting accessories despite the occurrence of undesirable lateral forces.

The guide elements must ensure total freedom of movement of the load carrier in the vertical direction for weight acquisition. At the same time, the lateral forces which may cause measurement errors or damage to the load cell must be absorbed. The guide elements must therefore absorb the maximum lateral forces in the horizontal direction.

The guide elements should be as long as possible because this reduces the frictional forces and the likelihood of reciprocal tension at the same time.

In general, a set of scales with three guide points is statically determined.

The position of the guide elements depends on the number of bearing points and the construction of the scales.

To prevent measurement errors, the following conditions always apply to the models listed:

• The guide elements must lie in the plane of load introduction into the load cell and on the same horizontal level
• The guide elements must be installed before adjustment of the scales
• It must be possible to move the ball joint heads or ball pins easily by hand at every filling level of the scales
• The guide elements must not transfer any forces in the measuring direction
• The guide elements must resist any lateral forces that arise.

Depending on requirements, various types of guide elements can be used (e.g. ball joint heads and round-head bolt guides).

Basic representation of force guidance with three- and four-point bearing position