Scrap metal weight logging and automated material classification

Purpose

1. Automate the logging of incoming and outgoing scrap metal weights and automate the classification of materials through integration of digital scale outputs, OCR, machine learning for material recognition, and system-wide inventory updates across salvage yard locations.

2. Enable real-time automated recording, categorizing, and reporting for asset management, compliance tracking, and dynamic pricing in the recycling and waste industry.

3. Automate documentation for regulatory compliance and export, improve operational workflow, and reduce manual errors by automating repetitive measurement and classification processes.

Trigger Conditions

1. Automated entry of weight data after a scale reading is captured.

2. Upload or scan of a new shipment manifest triggers automated OCR and classification workflow.

3. Scheduled daily or per-load automated reconciliation of inventory balances.

4. Automated notification or API trigger when system identifies new material subtype or anomaly.

Platform Variants

1. Microsoft Power Automate

• Feature/Setting: Automate flows triggered by digital scale API data input, connector to custom database.
  
• Sample config: Webhook triggers on new scale value, runs OCR on uploaded receipt, updates inventory in Dynamics 365.
  

2. Zapier

• Feature/Setting: Automates scale-to-Google Sheets logging and classification sync to Slack.
  
• Sample config: Scale API push triggers workflow; OCR by Google Vision API; updates posted automatically to inventory sheet.
  

3. AWS Lambda

• Feature/Setting: Automate event-driven classification via serverless function; integrates with S3 and Rekognition.
  
• Sample config: S3 bucket receives image/manifest; Lambda runs ML inference; DynamoDB inventory record updates automatedly.
  

4. Google Cloud Functions

• Feature/Setting: Automates parsing manifests and automating database write with Cloud Vision and Firestore.
  
• Sample config: Function triggers from Cloud Storage upload; auto-extracts data, automates Firestore write.
  

5. UiPath

• Feature/Setting: Automates desktop scan/OCR, automating ERP inventory entry.
  
• Sample config: OCR of paper manifest by UiPath Robot; auto-login and update of SAP system.
  

6. Make (formerly Integromat)

• Feature/Setting: Automating the integration of scale, Google Drive, and email notification.
  
• Sample config: Scale sends data; OCR module extracts info; notification sent when new material detected.
  

7. Salesforce

• Feature/Setting: Automates lead/inventory update upon new classified material event using Flow Builder.
  
• Sample config: API call from external scale; update asset record; automate notification to asset manager.
  

8. Smartsheet

• Feature/Setting: Automate row creation on scale reading via Bridge automation.
  
• Sample config: Scale push triggers Smartsheet workflow; API fills columns; finalize log via automated workflow.
  

9. Google Vision API

• Feature/Setting: Automates OCR of shipment manifest, integrates with inventory.
  
• Sample config: OCR service triggered on file upload; automates structured material data output.
  

10. IBM Watson Visual Recognition

• Feature/Setting: Automates classification of metal types from uploaded images.
  
• Sample config: API call with camera image; returns probable material; automates entry in asset system.
  

11. Twilio SMS

• Feature/Setting: Automate notification to manager when anomalous material detected.
  
• Sample config: Automator triggers SMS to supervisor via API.
  

12. Slack

• Feature/Setting: Automates notification channel when material logged or anomaly identified.
  
• Sample config: API event posts summary to #inventory-log.
  

13. SAP ERP

• Feature/Setting: Automates inventory update through BAPI integration.
  
• Sample config: BAPI call from orchestrator; new record for material recognized automatedly.
  

14. Oracle Integration Cloud

• Feature/Setting: Automates data sync from weights/manifest system to Oracle Netsuite.
  
• Sample config: Scheduled integration job; APIs ingest new material and automate update.
  

15. Azure Logic Apps

• Feature/Setting: Automates data capture and assets update in Azure SQL.
  
• Sample config: Logic App triggers on webhook; flows data from scale to SQL table after classification API call.
  

16. HubSpot

• Feature/Setting: Automate CRM property update when high-value scrap logged.
  
• Sample config: Scale integration triggers API; automates custom field update in company profile.
  

17. QuickBooks Online

• Feature/Setting: Automates purchase log when scrap shipment is received.
  
• Sample config: Automated entry created for matched manifest and weight record.
  

18. Dropbox

• Feature/Setting: Automates storage and backup of all received manifests and images.
  
• Sample config: Each upload saved to Dropbox; folder structure automated by material type.
  

19. Trello

• Feature/Setting: Automates card creation per load or batch.
  
• Sample config: New card generated by automator; includes OCR data and weight log.
  

20. Monday.com

• Feature/Setting: Automates new scrap batch tracker item.
  
• Sample config: API workflow creates item, populates with material and weight, auto-classifies with tags.
  

21. DocuSign

• Feature/Setting: Automates manifest sign-off workflow with conditional routing.
  
• Sample config: After automated OCR and inventory update, sign-off is routed for digital signature.
  

Benefits

1. Automates manual data entry, saving time and reducing error rates.

2. Enables real-time automated inventory visibility and business intelligence.

3. Streamlines compliance via automated documentation and logs for audits.

4. Increases productivity by automating weight logging and classification end-to-end.

5. Supports scalability by automating cross-location standardization and integration.

6. Enhances anomaly detection and rapid response through automated alerts.

7. Reduces operating costs by automating repetitive processes and increasing accuracy.

8. Future-proofs operations with flexible, automator-driven workflows across diverse software ecosystems.