The weighing and proportioning system is of significant importance in many industrial processes, where many different weighing tasks have to be handled. Both programmable controllers (PLC) and process control systems (PCS) are used to automate production processes.

There are many different types of scales that work together with automation systems, depending on requirements.
Production automation places the following demands on weighing technology:

• Flexibility with respect to typical scale functions
• Simple expansion of the weighing system
• Adaptability to the automation task
• Integrated communications concept

Scales that are able to satisfy these demands can be classified as part of the automation system. In this sense, the scale is an intelligent automation object comprising:

• Sensor technology
• Controller
• Actuator technology

The scale is then able to carry out its tasks according to the definitions of the control system.