The PDG-4 is a machine based on its predecessor, the PDG-3, keeping most chassis, mechanical, pneumatic and electrical parts. Visually identical to the PDG3, the difference is in the technology of the machine.
The accuracy of this type of weigher is based on three parameters: precise weighing of the buckets, having a large volume of buckets (to obtain a large number of combinations) and having an advanced algorithm to produce the best accuracy.
The PDG-4 improves 2 of these 3 parameters significantly. The Giro Research and Development team looked to see how they could improve on the already accurate PDG3 machine as part of ongoing development.
The load cells have been replaced (a key element for weighing) with more accurate and faster units. Secondly, the modifications have been made the moving buckets stabilised. To make an analogy, we can have very expensive bathroom scales but if we weigh ourselves when jumping or moving the weight won’t be precise.
New calculation algorithm
Last but not least this is another key element. Once each bucket has been weighted as precisely as possible the ‘brain’ of the machine must decide which combination of buckets is the optimal for achieving the target weight, or find a weight very close if the target weight can’t be achieved.
This machine brain uses much more accurate calculation, a faster processor and a new algorithm that optimises many factors to consider in order to improve speed and precision weighing.
Xact are currently installing several PDG4 machines across the UK and they are already delivering results.