Using an Electronic Scale

ShipRush can automatically pull the shipment weight from an electronic scale that is attached to your PC.  Electronic scales are attached to either the serial port (aka COM port) or USB port on the PC that runs ShipRush (virtual COM ports can allow scales to be attached to an ethernet network, but this is beyond the scope of ShipRush documentation).

Note: Technical support for scales is not part of complimentary technical support.  Hardware support is available via Z-Firm support forums (no charge) and via paid support calls with Z-Firm technical support.

Note: USB connected scales are the easiest to set up and most reliable in operation.

The following scale models are supported via USB or COM port connection to the PC:

• Fairbanks model 70-2453, Ultegra, SCB-9000, R9000, and compatible (the type distributed by many shipping carrier sales reps)

• Mettler Toledo PS15, PS30, PS60, PS90, and compatible

If you have another model scale by one of the manufacturers listed above, contact the manufacturer and ask if the serial port signalling is compatible with the model listed above (many are).

Scales reported as compatible by the manufacturer:

• Fairbanks Ultegra model 21860

 New scales are not cheap, but when purchased on eBay a scale can often be had for a reasonable price.

Setup

1. Attach the scale to an available port

2. If the scale uses AC power, connect it

3. Turn on the scale

4. Put something on the scale and check that the scale's display shows the proper weight

5. Go into ShipRush Settings area

6. Select Scales

7. Check 'Use Scale'
   

8. Set the scale type and port

9. Press Test, it should display the rounded-up weight

10. Close Settings

11. Ship!

Use

Serial Port Setup for the PS60 & PS90

The following is provided on an FYI basis and is not supported by complimentary technical support.

The Mettler Toledo PS60/PS90 serial port has several settings available. Typically, the scale is set up in 'UPS' mode, and this is how ShipRush expects the scale to communicate. If your serial port PS60/PS90 is not behaving with ShipRush, try these steps to change the configuration.

(You may need the scale technical manual to make this configuration change.)

The needed communication setting is the 'Def 4' mode which is the serial port parameters of: 9600 baud, 7 bits, 2 stop bits, odd parity. Use the following steps to put your scale into the DEF 4 configuration mode:

1. Start by making sure all cables are securely connected to PC and Scale.

2. Verify that there are no items on scale platter (the platter DOES need to be on the scale). The scale display should be reading 0.00 with a line over the LB sign and a line over the 0 with arrows pointing at it.

3. There are two buttons on the scale display – one with two arrows going in circle (we will call this button A) and the other button with a zero in the center and two arrows pointing at it (we will call this button B).

1. Start by holding down button A firmly for about 8-10 seconds until you see the word “SETUP” on the display – then let go of the button (“SETUP” will change on the display)

2. Tap button A until you see the word “END” appear on your screen.

3. Tap button B until you see the word “DEF 4” appear

4. Go back to button A and hold down for a moment and then let go.

5. The scale will take a few moments and re-configure itself then should return back to 0.00.

6. Now configure and test the scale in ShipRush.

Technical User Power Tip:

It is also possible to attach these serial-port based scales directly to other PC's and to ethernet networks, using RS232-Ethernet communication tools.