Measuring the weight of goods — bulk and piled goods.
Bulk inventory counts with 3D scanning: we build a digital model of the stockpile to calculate volume, combined with on-site sampling to determine density, producing an objective, evidence-backed weight as the basis for appraisal and independent stocktaking.
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Bulk inventory: the most important number is the hardest to pin down
Coal, ore, sand and gravel, wood chips, agricultural produce… are piled in yards or warehouses. They cannot be counted in units, their shape is irregular and it changes constantly with inbound and outbound movements. So the seemingly simple question “how many tonnes are in the warehouse?” is very hard to answer accurately.
Eyeball estimates and rough geometry
The pile is treated as a cone or trapezoid to calculate volume. Errors are large and depend on the measurer's experience.
Re-weighing everything is not feasible
Re-weighing thousands of tonnes means loading it onto trucks and across the scale: costly, slow and disruptive to production.
Manual measurement is slow and dangerous
Surveyors must climb high piles in large yards with heavy vehicles moving around; measuring with tapes or total stations takes a long time.
Figures declared by the party holding the goods
Banks rely mainly on the business's own inventory reports, which are hard to verify independently before granting credit.
No evidence to compare between counts
Stocktake results are usually just a number on paper, with no record of the pile's shape to compare at the next count.
Density changes
Moisture and compaction change the density of goods over time; a fixed factor easily leads to errors.
Measuring bulk goods with 3D scanning: objective, fast and evidence-backed
Instead of estimating, INEX uses 3D scanners to capture a point cloud (millions of measured points on the surface of the pile) to build a digital model and calculate volume. Weight is converted using density measured on site, not a fixed factor.
Objective
Volume is calculated from a digital model of the actual pile, independent of estimates or the measurer's experience.
Fast and safe
The operator scans from around the pile, with no need to climb it or move goods to be re-weighed.
Weight close to reality
Samples are taken and weighed on site to determine the density of the goods at the time of the count.
Digital evidence on record
The 3D model, images and source data are stored on InexHub, and can be recalculated and compared with later counts.
When you need a number you can trust
Initial appraisal
Determine the actual weight of goods proposed as collateral, instead of eyeball estimates or the business's own figures.
Independent periodic counts
Re-scan on an agreed cycle, compare with the previous count and cross-check with weighbridge data to detect discrepancies.
Closing the books and controlling losses
Month-end and quarter-end counts; compare actual stock with the books and weighbridge data to catch shrinkage and losses early.
From the site to the stocktake report
Site survey
Define the area, goods type and scanning plan.
3D scan
Capture the point cloud of the pile or stacking area.
Density sampling
Take and weigh samples on site to determine the actual density.
Modelling & calculation
Calculate volume from the digital model and convert it to weight.
Independent report
Report with model and images, stored on InexHub.
Bulk goods and goods that are hard to count by hand
Why the results can be trusted
- INEX is an independent third party with no interest in the loan
- Source data is kept and can be recalculated and checked
- Cross-checked against weighbridge and camera data
- Reports state the method, time and who carried out the work
Try a scan of one of your storage areas
Compare the 3D scan results with your current book figures.