Packaging & Inspection
Vertical Form Fill Seal Machine
Snack, nut, frozen food, grain and powder producers moving from manual bagging to automatic packing.
Rated in finished bags per minute, set by bag length, fill weight and film
09 · Packaging & Inspection — Equipment
Multihead Weigher
A combination weigher that selects the best mix of weigh hoppers for each pack, giving fast, accurate portions for baggers and tray lines.
- Rating
- Rated in weighments per minute, matched to the packing machine
- Versions
- Vibratory feed · Screw feed · Mixed-product weighing
- Best for
- Snack, nut, confectionery, frozen and fresh food packers who need fast, accurate portions
- Combination weighing reduces product giveaway compared with single-hopper scales
- Feed type chosen for free-flowing or sticky products
- Works with VFFS, premade pouch and tray packing
- Food-contact parts removable for cleaning
Short answer: A multihead weigher splits product across many small weigh hoppers, then a controller picks the combination of hoppers whose total is closest to your target pack weight and releases them together. The configuration depends on how the product flows — free-flowing, sticky or fragile — and on the pack weight and speed of the packing machine it feeds.
How it works
Product arrives on a top cone, which spreads it to radial feed pans or screws. These feed a ring of pool hoppers, which drop portions into weigh hoppers fitted with load cells. Each weigh hopper holds part of a pack. For every cycle, the controller calculates which combination adds up closest to the target without falling below it, opens those hoppers and sends the portion down a collecting chute to the packing machine. Empty hoppers refill while the next combination is chosen from the rest.
Because the weigher chooses from many partial weights, it can be more accurate than a single scale at the same speed, which reduces giveaway. Feed pan vibration, hopper timing and target weight are stored as recipes, so changing products is mostly a matter of selecting the right program and fitting the right contact parts. The weigher also signals the packer when a portion is ready, so the two machines run in step rather than independently.
Which configuration fits
| Form | Suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Vibratory feed | Chips, nuts, candy, frozen pieces | Sticky product will not flow on pans |
| Screw feed | Fresh meat, salads, pickles, cooked rice | Slower; more parts to clean |
| Mixed-product weighing | Trail mixes, frozen vegetable blends | More complex setup and recipe control |
What we need from you to quote
- Product samples or description, including piece size and bulk density
- Target pack weight and acceptable tolerance
- Product behaviour: fragile, sticky, oily, frozen
- The packing machine it feeds and its target speed
- Platform and infeed conveyor arrangement
- Cleaning method and washdown expectations
- Power supply and control language
Where it sits in a line
The weigher normally stands on a platform above a VFFS packaging machine or premade pouch packing machine, or feeds trays ahead of a tray sealer. An incline hygienic conveyor brings product up to the top cone, and an in-line checkweigher after the packer confirms final pack weights.
Common configurations
- Option A
Vibratory feed
vibrating pans spread free-flowing products such as chips, nuts and candy to the hoppers.
- Option B
Screw feed
rotating screws move sticky or wet products such as kimchi, fresh meat or cooked rice that will not slide on pans.
- Option C
Mixed-product weighing
separate hopper groups weigh several components so each pack contains a set mix.
What we confirm before quoting
Our engineers check these points with you, so the quotation fits your site rather than a catalogue default.
- 01Single pack weight and its allowed tolerance
- 02Product piece size and bulk density
- 03Fragile, sticky, oily or frozen product behaviour
- 04Speed of the bagger, pouch packer or tray line it will feed
- 05Washdown level and how parts are removed for cleaning
Frequently asked questions
How many heads do I need?
More heads give more combinations, which helps both speed and accuracy, especially for large or irregular pieces. The right number depends on pack weight, piece size, target speed and whether you weigh one product or a mix. We size it from your product and packing speed.
Will the weigher break fragile products?
Drop heights, hopper opening speed and chute angles all affect breakage. For chips and crackers we reduce drops and choose gentler settings. Tell us your acceptable breakage level and send samples if possible.
Can it handle sticky or frozen products?
Sticky products usually need screw feeders and dimpled or coated contact surfaces. Frozen products can stick together or shed ice. These are known cases, but they need the right feed type and contact surfaces, confirmed with samples.
Get a quote for the Multihead Weigher
Tell us your raw material, finished product and target output. Our engineers reply with a matched configuration and quotation.
What to send with your inquiry
- 1Raw material and its condition
- 2Finished product and packaging
- 3Target output — raw input or finished product
- 4Site photos, power supply, utilities
Email sales@hnfoda.com
Buyer guides
Biscuit Factory Setup: Equipment List, Layout and Cost
Set up a biscuit factory: equipment list from mixer to packing, layout flow, hard vs soft dough, what drives cost, and a checklist for a quotation.
Potato Chips Production Line: How to Choose Capacity, Fryer and Packing
Choose a potato chips production line: size capacity on potato input, pick batch or continuous fryer, plan seasoning and packing, and manage acrylamide.
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