How to Install, Configure and Programme Avery Berkel Scales

Here, we look at how to install, configure, programme and troubleshoot Avery Berkel scales.

As well as installing EPOS systems, Techcube supply equipment, including EPOS and accessories. Please contact us here.

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1. What are Avery scales?
2. How to assemble Avery XS200 scales
3. How to load the labels for the Avery XS200 scales
4. How to programme the Avery XS200 scales
5. What if you already have a Techcube EPOS system with many products to be weighed?
6. Fruit and vegetable scales – FX-120 (FX100 series Avery scales)
7. FX131 Avery scale
8. Troubleshooting Avery scales
9. Troubleshooting label printing scales
10. Troubleshooting network issues
11. Troubleshooting FX100 and FX131 Embedded Scanner
12. Avery scale maintenance

What are Avery scales?

Avery Berkel scales are used as part of an EPOS system so that the sales process is streamlined in your store. They can be used to weigh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, and any other loose product that needs weighing, so are perfect for fishmonger’s and butcher’s counters.

A key benefit is that stock control is more effective and your stock data will be accurate. As the scales are connected to an EPOS system you will know how much stock you have left and can reorder if required and this also helps to eliminate wastage. Another benefit is that if you have a butchery section for example, away from the main tills, then the printed barcode label attached to the wrapped product will register in the EPOS when scanned at the main till and show the price on the customer display. The EPOS reporting system can also identify popular weighed products, so you can maximize profit.

How to assemble Avery XS200 scales

The XS200 scales have two main parts when they come out of the box: one is the customer display and the other is the scale itself.

Firstly, connect the customer display to the back of the scale when it is upside down. A wire comes out of the scale and connects to the customer display port. There is a screw to attach the customer display to the scales. Then connect the power cable to the scale.

How to load the labels for the Avery XS200 scales

Then you need to load the labels. On the left side of the scale is a door, open that and then put in the label roll in the hole inside the scales.

Once the labels are loaded put the scale in position and put the scale tray on top of the scales, press the power button on the keypad to switch the scales on. now the scales are ready to programme.

 How to programme the Avery XS200 scales

There are two ways to programme the XS200 scales. The first method is to manually programme on the scale itself. Login to the scale and you can create departments, products, product codes, product name and kilogram price, barcode formats, and also the label design feature is available. Doing it this way is quite a long process, especially if you have many products, as you have to programme each product one by one.

The second way to programme the scales is by connecting the scale to the network, using an internet cable, then connect the scale to the local IP address in the communications menu on the scale.

If you have one scale, by default, that will be the master scale. If you have two or more scales, then you have to define a number for each scale, “1” will be the master scale and the rest become client (child) scales, numbered 2, 3, 4, etc. All the scales will connect to the network via a network switch or the router.

Once this is done, you need to install the Avery MX Business scale software onto your computer or laptop. When you open the software, there is an option to search for scales in the network. Once the scales are identified by the software, then you can add products, in a similar way to a spreadsheet, with products and their attributes.

Once product details are added, you can custom design labels with a logo, allergy information, expiry date, weight, price and so on.

Custom barcodes can also be designed, based on product code, department, price, and weight and these can all be integrated into the barcode format.

What if you already have a Techcube EPOS system with many products to be weighed?

If you already have a Techcube EPOS system you can connect the weighed products you programmed to your other products in the EPOS system. You can also add products to the EPOS system by marking them as “scale items” in the system.

Alternatively, Techcube created software that outputs a scale file. The file can be imported into the Avery scale, so you don’t have to do double entry on both the scale and EPOS system for each product.

Fruit and vegetable scales – FX-120 (FX100 series Avery scales)

This is a very simple scale, again connect the display etc and screw as per the previous instructions above. Use an RS232 cable to connect the scale to the EPOS system, plug into the RS232 port of the COM port.

Once connected, the Techcube EPOS software will connect to the scale. When selling a product, place the product on the scale, then the weight will transfer to the EPOS system. On the EPOS touch screen, there are images of the weighed products, for example, an apple, and these buttons are pre-programmed for each product.

When weighing on cashier checkout scales the kilogram weight will be subtracted from remaining stock, and this is very helpful with stock control. The EPOS system can automatically reorder if stock becomes too low on a product.

FX131 Avery scale

The FX131 scale has a similar connection to the FX100 series. This is a counter scale and is located by the cashier. It’s different because it has a barcode scanner built into the scale. To use this scale the checkout counter needs to be customized, so the scale fits flush with the counter surface. Products are moved across to scan and they are also weighed on the same platform. These scales are common in larger supermarkets. Techcube can customise and install on your checkout counters

Troubleshooting Avery scales

Troubleshooting label printing scales

Issue: Label printing scales do not start:

1. Turn the scales upside down and check the power cable is in the socket.
2. Check all cables are tight.
3. Check the wall socket is on.

If still an issue:

1. Check the fuse in the kettle lead or replace the fuse.

Issue: Labels do not come out

1. Check there are enough labels inside the machine.
2. Check for any label jams.
3. Open the printer head area with the lever and see if there is any glue around the printer head area and clean this off.
4. Once done put labels in and see if the issue is resolved.

Issue: Labels continuously coming out

This happens when the gap sensor is defective or covered. The gap sensor senses when one label has left the printer head.

1. Open the printer.
2. Open the lever for the print head.
3. Find the gap sensor and clean it.

If the gap sensor is broken, Techcube can replace this.

Issue: Barcode lines won’t print properly, so cannot be scanned

The printer head is faulty, so replace the printer head. Some companies replace the whole printer, rather than just the head as the head is the most expensive part of the printer.

Troubleshooting network issues

Issue: A scale does not appear on the network

1. Check that the network cable is connected properly.
2. Login to settings inside the scale and check the network setup to see if the IP address of the scale has been tampered with or changed.
3. Sometimes the network port on the scale is faulty, to check, ping the IP address of the scale and if it doesn’t ping, change the network cable to see if that resolves the issue.
4. If still an issue, replace the network card or replace the complete scale.

Troubleshooting FX100 and FX131 Embedded Scanner

Issue: Sometimes weight is slow to register to the scale

Instead of 2 seconds to transfer the weight, it takes 5 seconds. This is due to a balancing problem.

1. There is a spirit level inside the scale and the scale feet can be adjusted to meet the level required.
2. If there was anything placed on the scale for a period of time, then the scale won’t work straight away. Restart the scale.
3. Ensure that nothing is touching the scale, apart from when you place products on it.

Avery scale maintenance

1. Clean label scales with an antibacterial spray after being used with food such as cheese, in case of bacteria. Don’t spray inside the scale or network port, but instead, spray onto a cloth then wipe the scale.
2. To clean the scale tray, remove it from the scale and use a brush or vacuum to remove debris.
3. Occasionally clean the printer area so it will not get jammed.
4. Clean the spirit level that is used to balance the scales.
5. Check that the weight is set to zero when there is nothing on the scales.

Please contact Techcube if you require assistance with Avery Berkel scales.