BC Postal and Shipping Scales

1. What is a Shipping or Parcel scale?
A shipping weight scale, freight scale or parcel scale can help you perform your routine weighing tasks quickly and accurately. Our shipping scales are perfect for mailrooms, offices, warehouse packing stations, shipping departments and retail parcel stores. METTLER TOLEDO shipping scales are the perfect basic solution for applications in which simple weighing is needed. METTLER TOLEDO offers smart weigh digital shipping with a shipping weight scale up to 300lb / 150kg. We have the right shipping scale for sale wherever you are in the world, and we also offer USB shipping scale options.

2. What applications use a digital shipping scale?
Parcel scales and digital shipping scales are multi-functional for accurate weighing in a variety of applications—from self-service and sorting to point-of-sale and dynamic weighing. Our BC postal and shipping scales were designed with the needs of mailrooms, offices, warehouse packing stations, shipping departments and retail parcel stores in mind. METTLER TOLEDO also offers USB shipping scale solutions. These USB shipping scale solutions make connecting your shipping scale or parcel scale easier.

3. How can a freight scale improve efficiency?
In fast paced shipping departments, speed and accuracy are critical. Enhance productivity with speedier processes and make the weighing process easier for operators by using our postal scales and parcel scales in your mailroom, shipping area or retail parcel store today. Designed for fast and easy weighing, six clearly structured large format keys with tactile feedback combine with the simple to use LCD display for fast and clear results. They are easily connected to PCs with multiple options for connectivity, including serial, USB, virtual serial, keyword wedge, Ethernet and Bluetooth. These freight scale options are easy to use with an intuitive interface and a graphical display that has functional soft keys and a navigation keypad. Built to withstand over 500% overload while still weighing accurately, BC Postal and shipping weight scales were designed with the demands of a fast-paced shipping environment in mind.

4. How are METTLER TOLEDO shipping scales and parcel scale models different from other companies' scales?
In addition to shipping scale for sale offerings, we also offer service for shipping scales. We are offer a global service network that is fully trained in all postal, parcel scale and shipping applications. For any size shipment, METTLER TOLEDO supplies the top solutions for weighing, dimensioning and sorting. Our many years of experience serving many national postal organizations, express shippers and postal suppliers has given us the know-how to provide you with the best postal and shipping scale for sale for your application.

5. How is the BC Shipping scale powered and what cables come with the scale?
BC shipping scales are USB shipping scale devices. They are powered through the USB cable that comes in the scale box for all scales. Like recharging a cell phone, the BC shipping scale for sale will always be powered by either a USB port on a PC, a USB port on a USB/110-240 V power adapter, or a USB port on a cell phone portable power bank battery. When the USB cable is attached to the PC USB port, it will communicate and power the scale with the same USB cable. The USB power adapter is typically used if the scale is communicating by serial cable, Ethernet cable, or Bluetooth. Most scale models come with the serial cable and power adapter in the scale box except versions through UPS programs. Contact your local METTLER TOLEDO representative for more details.

6. How can we get remote display kits and additional cable length options for a BC shipping scale?
For the BC shipping scale, all remote model 0270 (7-segment) display kits and 0271 (graphical) display kits can be wall mounted or tower mounted and include the 3 m (10 ft.) extended cable. An alternate cable length used with a remote display is 302410623 (6.5 ft./2 m). Contact your local METTLER TOLEDO representative for more BC scale accessory options and details.

7. What is the difference between a 7 segment display and a graphical display? Are remote display options available in each display type?
A 7-segment display is similar a to a gasoline pump display for price and volume, with 7 line segments to create numeric symbols and limited alpha symbols. Seven-segment cannot create a K, M or W. For the BC shipping scale, the 7-segment is a lower cost display and is limited to basic weighing and limited feature options. The graphical display has full functionality with a simple navigational keypad to scroll through programmed soft keys. It provides direct, readable messages in multiple language options for troubleshooting and higher performance. The BC scale has remote display kits in wall or tower mounted for 7-segment (Model is 0270) and graphical (Model is 0271) scales.  Contact your local METTLER TOLEDO representative for more BC scale accessory options and details.

8. Is the Ethernet interface easy to use with standard or custom software?
For METTLER TOLEDO BC shipping scales, the Ethernet option is indicated by a 2 at the end of the model number (BCA-222.....-XX2). The Ethernet communication is the serial RS232 protocol over the TCP/IP interface. This allows use of a network scale to communicate with standard shipping programs that already communicate by serial. In configuring their communication type, the shipping software program needs to allow the selection of TCP/IP in their setup. For in-house programs, serial protocols are easy to program. Contact your local METTLER TOLEDO representative for more details.

9. What scales can communicate to a local PC, but have specific ERP or unique shipping programs on a remote server?
The BC scale has a keyboard wedge feature that can communicate the weight value into any field on the PC screen where the operator can type into the field with the keyboard. The software program can be web-based on a remote server and does not need to be on the PC's hard drive. For the keyboard wedge, there is no special programming needed for any software program to accept the weight value. Just drop the curser into the weight field, place the parcel on the scale and transmit the weight value. The BC scale can be configured to transmit the weight in auto-send or through the keypad. The BC scale keyboard wedge can be used to type the data into any scale driver program including Microsoft Excel for data analysis. Contact your local METTLER TOLEDO representative for more details on the BC scale keyboard wedge.

10. Can the BC shipping scale be powered by batteries as well as a power cord?
Yes. For BC shipping scales, it is a USB 5VDC device which provides flexible ways to power the scale just like recharging a cell phone. The BC scale can be powered by an "off the shelf" cell phone power bank. Since the scale is UL listed, METTLER TOLEDO recommends a UL listed power bank be used for electrical safety. The power bank can be used with the Bluetooth option of the BC scale for full portability. In addition, the BC scale can be powered by the USB port on a laptop computer. The scale can communicate to the carrier shipping software on the laptop computer through the same USB cable. This provides a portable shipping system including the shipping software, and there is only one device to recharge at night.

11. I have purchased a parcel scale and I need technical help and accessories. How do I get a serial cable if it did not come with the scale?
Most BC shipping scale and parcel scale models come with the serial cable and power adapter in the scale box, except versions through UPS programs. The serial cable (10ft / 3m) used with any BC scale is 64052046. The serial cable and USB power adapter kit is 30131061. Contact your local METTLER TOLEDO representative for more details.

12. I would like to upgrade my existing PS or BC shipping scale. What are the PS/BC platter upgrade options?
The most popular alternate platter options for the PS and BC scales are the cylindrical roller top platter and the ball top platters used in static conveyor applications. The roller top is a conveyor on the platter with right / left movement. The ball top allows 360-degree movement of a parcel for easier scanning of a randomly located barcode.  
* BC-60 350 mm x 300mm size: ball top platter = 62009622 and roller top platter = 62010766.
* BC-150  500 mm x 400 mm size: ball top platter = 62010772 and  roller top platter = 62010771.
The other accessory is the PS or BC conveyor drop-in kit for easy mounting of the scale into a static gravity conveyor. Part number is 64058112. Contact your local METTLER TOLEDO representative for more BC scale accessory options and details.

13. Can I easily replace my parcel scale display that is on the scale base?
Both the PS and BC Shipping scales have base mounted displays that are externally detachable and can easily be replaced within minutes. Display can be removed by unscrewing a couple mounting screws and unplugging a simple cable connector. The replacement display can be installed in the reverse process. Contact your local Metter Toledo representative for more BC scale replacement display options.

14. Do any of your parcel shipping scales have the ability to also act as a counting scale?
Yes, the BC shipping scale comes standard with a Counting Mode for either the counting of bulk mail pieces or the counting of "same parts" like screws at a packing station. It is easy to switch back and forth between modes so only one scale is needed to process both counting and parcel weighing applications. Contact your local METTLER TOLEDO representative for more details, or reference the technical manual at www.mt.com/ind-bc-scale link.

15. Does METTLER TOLEDO have a shipping scale that can be used in a wireless application?
The BC shipping scale has an option for communicating wirelessly by Bluetooth to a local PC or smart device up to 10 m away. Bluetooth scales are available in 15 kg, 30 kg, 60 kg and 150 kg capacities. Contact your local METTLER TOLEDO representative for more details.

16. What equipment is available to replace old shipping scales and make them compatible with our ERP system?
The BC shipping scale has replaced the PS shipping scale. The BC scale is backwards compatible with the PS scale. It uses the same serial communications and USB shipping scale communications. The BC scale also has enhanced features for flexible communications, flexible configuration, and flexible weighing applications for increased operational efficiency.

17. What is a BC scale?
The BC scale is a postal and shipping scale (also referred to as a mail scale or parcel scale) meant for non-dynamic or static routine weighing operations in various logistics operations. It is the improved successor of the METTLER TOLEDO PS scale (e.g. PS30 and PS60). This new postal scale offering is available with a 15, 30, 60 or 150 kg weighing capacity, handling a single or multiple weighing range or interval. Depending on your logistics setup and weighing capacity, choose from the heavy-duty stainless steel flat platter, the roller platter, or the ball top platter to enable convenient weighing operation.

18. What is the BC Postal and Shipping Scale used for?
The BC scale is made to be used in various logistics related weighing operations from receiving, packing, shipping, mailing and manifesting. It helps users to accurately and promptly weigh all forms of letters, documents, packages and parcels. The BC Postal and Parcel scale is perfect for environments such as mailrooms, offices, warehouse packing stations, shipping and receiving departments, fulfillment centers, distribution centers and retail parcel shipping stores. Finally, the BC is multi-functional as it can handle different applications like bulk mail and package weighing or counting, packing verification and shipping weight determination that includes label weight compensations.

19. Can the BC Postal and Shipping Scale communicate and interface with PCs?
Yes, the BC scale offers a standard USB or RS-232 serial interface to automate data recording and avoid manual entry errors. The USB connection lowers the cost of integration by allowing modern day PCs (not offer a standard RS-232 interface) to connect to the scale using a virtual serial host mode or HIDPOS protocol. Furthermore, the USB interface also supports a HID Keyboard Wedge functionality that simply transfers the weight data directly into any software's weight text field without any custom programming. With the Ethernet interface option, the BC scale can be shared between different PCs in a Local Area Network (LAN) to optimize asset utilization. In environments where cabling is seen as an inconvenience, interference or even a hazard, the Bluetooth option provides a cable free connection to the BC scale.

20. Is the BC Postal and Shipping Scale suitable for mobile applications?
Operations often require equipment to be moved from one working area to another by trolley, cart or other vehicle.  For this reason, it is essential that equipment have flexible power options and a wireless connectivity. The BC scale is powered with 5VDC supplied from either a laptop's USB port, a USB power bank / battery or a USB car charger adapter. Equip the BC with the Bluetooth option to facilitate connectivity to a laptop or a smartphone to process shipping transactions on the go with less cable interference.

21. Is the BC Postal and Shipping Scale reliable, easy to use and maintain?
BC scales are tested to weigh accurately even after multiple overloads (at 500% of capacity) and shock loads (at 100% of capacity). This ensures that the scale is reliable and durable even in rugged loading conditions commonly experienced in logistics facilities. The graphical display offers an intuitive operator experience with easy to navigate setup and operation menus. The display also shows calibration maintenance prompts, usage (e.g. number of scale overloads) information and a recent errors log providing easy maintenance and troubleshooting. Changing out a broken terminal display is as easy as plug and play and it does not affect the Weights and Measures metrological seal or require recalibration hence saving maintenance costs.

22. How can I improve efficiency in my shipping and mailing operation?
In the age of e-commerce and online shopping, correct and fast deliveries are key success factors. They affect the profitability and reputation of both the seller and the shipping carrier. A reliable weighing scale is required to process a high volume of parcels and packages quickly and correctly for shipping.

The BC scale provides several special weighing modes to help users achieve the operational productivity and efficiency required. The BC scale's Take-Away mode helps to improve throughput by allowing the operator to manually and continuously weigh parcels faster with less movement, furthermore saving energy. With the Product Verification mode, the BC scale facilitates the weighing of individual items as each are placed into the parcel box by providing the weight data of the individual items and the whole parcel. This will help the order packing system to verify that the contents are correct, thus minimizing packing errors and shipping returns.