Wingfield Pioneers Better Tank Scale Engineering For The Department of Energy

Custom-engineered steel tank scale support frame fabricated by Wingfield Scale for a U.S. Department of Energy facility, staged for shipment

ALL CASE STUDIES

This tank scale solution didn’t exist in any catalog…

It started when a phone call came from a Department of Energy (DOE) facility.

They had a BIG problem.

They needed verification and calibration of their tank scales at full vessel capacity.

But standard test weight procedures couldn’t safely reach maximum capacity on their tank scales.

Why do tank scales need calibration
at full vessel capacity?

Tank scales don’t always behave the same at 20% load as they do at 100%. At full capacity, deflection and load distribution change, and small errors can grow. Verification needs to match the actual operating range, not just the range that’s easiest to test with weights.

And the margin for error was too small for “we can’t do that.”

The Problem: No Room for Mistakes

Beyond the inability to safely stage certified test weights at full capacity, two more deal-breakers surfaced:

The usual playbook couldn’t validate performance in real operating conditions (at a moment when uncertainty wasn’t acceptable)

It also couldn’t produce an audit-ready, traceable documentation trail.

National security raised the stakes

A security event turned this into an urgent requirement that needed a FAST SOLUTION, not a “schedule it later” calibration.

Audit-ready documentation wasn’t possible

Conventional approaches couldn’t produce a complete, traceable record that would stand up to scrutiny.

The equipment didn’t exist. So we built it.

The Solution: Custom Tank Scale Engineering

We designed a removable frame system from scratch. The custom frame safely holds test weights up to the tank’s maximum capacity, enabling full-range verification without compromising safety or accuracy.

Plan view engineering drawing of a removable test-weight deck and frame for tank scale verification, showing grated platform panels and lift points.
Plan view of the removable deck used to safely stage test weights across the working area.

1 Custom Design & Fabrication

A purpose-built frame engineered for this vessel’s dimensions and capacity requirements.

Beyond Standard Tank Scale Solutions

We engineer custom tank scales when off-the-shelf equipment can't meet mission-critical demands.

When critical infrastructure demands precision, speed, and zero margin for error, our team delivers results.

an image of Wingfield's team of scale & measure engineers, leaders, and problem-solvers

Need custom tank scales or calibration solutions for critical applications?

DOE facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturers, chemical plants, and nuclear operations across North America trust us when standard solutions fail.

Facing tank scale issues that can't wait?

Call 423-698-0100 to speak to our staff for fast and effective solutions.

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