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Line component · weight dosing

Multihead Weigher Packing Machine

Combination weighing for granules and pieces on rotary and VFFS pouch lines.

A multihead weigher combines weighed portions of granules or pieces before discharging into a pouch. Product size, fragility, stickiness and acceptable giveaway guide the hopper, surface and discharge configuration.

Send product and target weight Open weigh-dose granule lines

Compare the typical 10-head and 14-head station classes below. Product size, target weight, fragility and the pouch-machine cycle guide the final configuration; station screening values do not establish the output of a complete line.

Illustrative multihead weigher on a pouch packaging line
Illustrative line-component visual from the machine library. Not a named-model photograph and not a sample test.
Best for
Mixed, fragile, or giveaway-critical granules and pieces dosed by weight into a pouch.
Compare other routes
Granules by volume use cups; powders need an auger or weigh-based review; liquids use a piston or pump. Select the pouch machine separately.
Start with
A product photo, target weight, pouch size and required output. Sample and line details can follow.

01

The station

What a multihead weigher actually is

It is a dosing station on a pouch line. Combination buckets combine to a target weight. The bag is formed or presented on a host.

Editorial granules and pouch visual, not a compatibility test
Editorial granule + pouch visual. It does not prove that your mix will run on a weigher.
  1. InfeedPieces reach the weigher from a hopper or elevator. Review the infeed with the product; the quotation should identify the equipment included.
  2. Combination weighBuckets combine to a target mass. Labelled grams still depend on how the real product sits — that is why samples decide giveaway.
  3. Drop into the pouchThe dose falls into a bag the host has presented — a rotary premade pouch or a VFFS tube. Drop height and oil/stickiness are project checks.
  4. Match the pouch machineCompare the rotary, VFFS or high-speed host for your bag format and output. The weigher is its dosing station.

Weight is not volume. A weigher measures mass; cups measure volume. The station-class table supports early sizing, while fill-weight results and line output need checking with the actual product and pouch machine.

02

Choose the dosing route

Weighers, cups, augers and pistons are different stations

Compare combination weighing with cups, auger dosing and piston or pump filling. For granules and pieces, the product and target weight also help decide between a multihead and a linear weighing route.

Dosing-route comparison. The station-class table below provides typical head-count and speed references for initial screening.
Decision Multihead weigher Cups Auger Piston / pump
What it measures Weight Volume in a cup Powder moved by a screw A chamber of liquid or paste
Product state Mixed, fragile, or giveaway-critical granules and pieces Free-flowing granules Cohesive or non-free-flowing powder Liquids and pastes
Pouch machine Rotary or VFFS; larger snack bags may use the high-speed host Usually VFFS VFFS or rotary, on the powder route Rotary or VFFS
Open Multihead weigher Volumetric cup filler Auger filling machine Piston filling machine

Do not assume a snack weigher doses powder. Free-flowing granules may suit cups; mixed or fragile pieces usually need weighing. Accuracy and giveaway are confirmed from samples, not from a product name.

03

Project options

Compare station classes, then match the product

Use the supplier-published station classes below for early comparison. Then review head count, hopper volume, door type and contact surface against the product, target weight, discharge timing and pouch machine.

Typical supplier-published station-class values for initial screening. The selected Spack configuration and any agreed line output are defined in the project quotation after reviewing the product, target weight and pouch machine.

Typical 10-head and 14-head station classes. Speeds refer to the station class; inch values convert the published packed dimensions.
Station class Heads Typical hopper Typical weigh range Typical max speed Typical packed size (L × W × H) Typical packed mass
10-head standard 10 1.6 L 10–3000 g ~65 packs/min 1365 × 1100 × 1270 mm 53.7 × 43.3 × 50.0 in ~450 kg ~992 lb
14-head standard / large dump 14 1.6–2.5 L 10–3000 g (large hopper often from ~25 g) ~120 packs/min 1665 × 1300 × 1270 mm 65.6 × 51.2 × 50.0 in ~500 kg ~1,102 lb
10-head compact 10 0.5 L 2–500 g ~65 packs/min 803 × 792 × 899 mm 31.6 × 31.2 × 35.4 in ~350 kg ~772 lb
14-head compact 14 0.5 L 2–500 g ~120 packs/min 900 × 897 × 990 mm 35.4 × 35.3 × 39.0 in ~420 kg ~926 lb

How to read 10-head vs 14-head. More heads give more combinations, so a 14-head class is the usual screen when the host is faster or giveaway is tight. Hopper litres follow piece size, not the head count. A frozen dumpling and a candy seed do not share a hopper just because both can use 14 heads.

Contact surface and door type affect how the product leaves the hopper. Review these options with the actual product and drop into the pouch machine.

Surface and dump options on this station. Type examples only — not tested SKUs.
Option What it changes Typical product state
Smooth hopper, single door Default dump for pieces that run Nuts, kibble, candy, rice, seeds
Larger hopper, double-door dump Wider opening, less bridging, gentler drop Potato chips, large pieces, frozen dumplings
Dimple or coated contact parts Less sticking on the metal Preserved fruit, sugar-coated pieces, wet salad
Timing / collection hopper Buffers the drop into the pouch When drop height or host timing needs a beat

Line checks, not a bill of materials. Timing hopper, infeed elevator, coated contact parts and dual-outlet dump (two hosts) are specified with the line. The quotation should identify which of these options are included.

04

The host

The weigher sits on a host — rotary or VFFS

The host forms or presents the pouch, then seals it. The weigher only weighs. Larger snack and nut bags often use the high-speed VFFS host — that host is not this component.

Rotary premade pouch packing machine family still
Rotary host still. Granules and pieces on that page start with a multihead or linear weigher.

Premade pouch

Rotary host

For a pouch that is already made, review the rotary host and the weigher together so the discharge cycle matches pouch handling.

Open the rotary host
Vertical form-fill-seal machine family still
VFFS family still — the host, not the weigher. Screen VFFS-220 / 320 / 420 on that page from finished pouch width.

Roll film

Vertical form-fill-seal

Published filling systems on that page include a multihead weigher. Width screen: 100 / 150 / 200 mm 3.94 / 5.91 / 7.87 in on VFFS-220 / 320 / 420 — host figures, not weigher models.

Open the VFFS host
Z-type elevator feeding toward a weigher, illustrative infeed
Typical infeed toward a weigher. The project quotation identifies the infeed equipment included.

Larger snack bags

High-speed VFFS host

For larger snack and nut bags, compare the high-speed VFFS host. Review the elevator, weigher and pouch machine as a complete feed-and-pack arrangement.

Open the high-speed host
Published clip (YouTube Ob3XlN-6ynE). The rotary page labels it Multihead Weighing Configuration. It is a published host/weigher cycle — not a head count, not FAT, and not a bags-per-minute claim.

05

Product state

Which products start on a weigher

These product examples are starting points for selection. Piece size, flow, fragility and target weight determine the dosing route; use a representative sample to check the proposed configuration.

Mixed nuts example for combination weighing, not a tested SKU

Nuts and mixes

Nuts, mixes, irregular solids

Standard combination weigh. Piece size and mix decide 10-head vs 14-head more than the product name. Line: granule and solid packaging. Premade pouches: rotary host.

Rice as a small-granule type example, not a tested weigher SKU

Small granules

Rice, seeds, small packs

When the target weight is small, start on compact hoppers so one piece does not blow the dose. Line: granule and solid packaging. Roll film: VFFS host.

Mixed candy pieces, screening visual for small-target combination weighing — not a tested SKU

Candy

Candy and coated pieces

Small targets usually need compact hoppers. Sugar coating can stick — then dimple or coated parts on this same station. Line: granule and solid packaging.

Steamed dumplings, screening visual for bulky or frozen pieces on a multihead weigher — not a tested SKU

Frozen and bulky

Frozen dumplings and large pieces

Start with a larger hopper and a double-door dump. Bridging and ice on the metal are sample checks. Food pouch routes: food and beverage packaging.

Freeze-dried strawberries, screening visual for sticky fruit on a dimple or coated weigher hopper — not a tested SKU

Sticky fruit

Freeze-dried and preserved fruit

Sticking is a contact-surface problem, not a different machine family. Dimple or coated hoppers on this station. Food pouch routes: food and beverage packaging.

Metal bolts, screening visual for hardware pieces on a weigher

Hardware

Small parts by weight

Combination weigh can dose pieces by mass. Counting pieces is a different question, confirmed per project. Line: hardware and electronic packaging.

06

Project inputs

Start with the product, weight and pouch

A product photo, target weight, pouch size and required output are enough to begin. Use the typical station-class table for early comparison; the details below help review the hopper, surface, discharge and host together.

01
Pieces and how they flowDescribe piece size, mix, fragility, oil and stickiness. A short handling video or representative sample is helpful.
02
Target weightState the target grams and acceptable giveaway or weight tolerance. Actual results need checking with the proposed configuration.
03
Finished pouch W × LShare the finished pouch dimensions or a pouch photo to review the rotary, VFFS or high-speed host.
04
Film or premade styleRollstock vs a pouch that is already made. Zipper and doypack belong on the host quote.
05
Bags per shiftState the output you need at the target weight. The station table is a screening reference, not the output of the complete pouch line.
06
Host already chosen?Identify the existing host, its cycle and the drop height if known. Counting pieces needs a separate check from weighing them.

For the detailed review. Agree the product sample, target weight, acceptable giveaway, breakage check, drop height and host cycle. Compare the proposed configuration under those conditions before agreeing line-performance requirements.

07

Common questions

Multihead weigher FAQs

Practical answers about station classes, product handling and the information needed to compare a pouch-line configuration.

What is a multihead weigher packing machine?

A multihead weigher is a dosing station that weighs granules or pieces and drops that dose into a pouch.

It is also called a combination weigher. It can feed a rotary premade-pouch machine or a VFFS that forms the pouch from film. Compare the dosing methods in the VFFS filling-methods guide.

Is a multihead weigher a VFFS machine?

No. The weigher doses product; a vertical form-fill-seal or rotary host forms or presents the bag and seals it.

Select the weigher and the pouch machine together so weighing, discharge, bag handling and sealing are coordinated.

Weigher vs cups vs auger — which do I need?

A weigher when pieces are mixed, fragile, or giveaway-critical; cups for free-flowing granules by volume; an auger for cohesive or non-free-flowing powder.

Use the comparison table for initial selection. A linear weigher is another weighing route to review with the product and host.

Can a multihead weigher pack powder?

For Spack pouch-line screening, cohesive or non-free-flowing powders usually start with an auger review; free-flowing powders first consider an electronic-scale route.

Open powder packaging.

How accurate is a multihead weigher?

Accuracy and giveaway depend on the product, target weight and selected configuration. The table shows typical station classes, not sample-verified performance for your product.

Compare weight results under agreed sample and run conditions; record those conditions alongside any quoted performance requirement.

What speed can I expect?

Use the typical maximum rates in the station-class table for early comparison. Complete-line output also depends on product flow, target weight, discharge timing, pouch handling and sealing.

Compare quoted line output for the same product, target weight and pouch, rather than treating a station maximum as the line rate.

How many heads do I need?

The table compares typical 10-head and 14-head classes as starting points.

More heads provide more weighing combinations. Piece size, target weight, acceptable giveaway and the pouch-machine cycle still decide the selection; confirm the hopper and discharge arrangement with the product.

How much does a multihead weigher cost?

Price depends on the selected weigher, pouch machine, infeed and agreed line options.

Share the product, target weight, pouch and output so the quotation has a clear configuration and scope.

What do you need to recommend a weigher?

A product photo, target weight, pouch size and required output are enough for an initial review. Include the existing host if one is already chosen.

A sample or short video helps with fragile, sticky, oily or mixed pieces; detailed drawings can follow. Send the information you have via Contact.

Multihead vs linear weigher — which do I need?

A multihead combines several buckets to a target weight; a linear weigher doses on a few lanes in a line.

Mixed or giveaway-sensitive pieces often start with combination weighing. Compare a linear route for free-flowing products where it meets the target weight and output; check fragile pieces through the actual feed and drop.

What hopper and door should I use?

Hopper volume and door type follow piece size and how the product dumps — not a brochure model.

Large, frozen or bridging pieces often need a larger hopper and a wider dump. Small target weights need smaller hoppers. Confirmed from samples.

Can this weigher run sticky product?

Sticky product is a contact-surface and dump problem, not a different machine family.

Dimple plates, coated contact parts and dump geometry are options on this station. Preserved fruit and sugar-coated pieces still need a sample.

Do I need a collection hopper under the weigher?

A timing or collection hopper is an option when the drop into the pouch must be buffered.

Review it with the host cycle and drop height; the quotation should state whether it is included.

Which multihead weigher for chips or fragile snacks?

Start with a larger hopper and a gentler dump so pieces do not stack or break.

Oil and drop height are sample checks. The pouch line is on granule and solid packaging; larger snack bags on the high-speed VFFS host.

Can a multihead weigher pack frozen dumplings or sticky fruit?

Frozen or bulky pieces usually need a larger hopper and a double-door dump. Sticky fruit is a contact-surface problem — dimple or coated parts on this same station.

Food pouch routes: food and beverage packaging. Still a sample. Ice, sugar and salad dressing are not assumed from a product name.

Is pet food packed on a multihead weigher?

Kibble and treats usually start on a combination weigh. Oil, dust and bag size still decide the host.

Open granule and solid packaging. Do not treat pet food as powder on an auger by default.

08

Handoff

Where to go next on this site

Compare a complete granule pouch line, a pouch-machine host or another dosing method using the routes below.

Reading

VFFS filling-methods guide

Compare combination weighing with other filling methods and see how dosing fits into the pouch-making cycle.

09

Next step

Send the pieces, the target weight and the pouch

Send a product photo, target weight, pouch size and the output you need. Include an existing host or sample details if available; further measurements can follow.

Request a configuration review Open granule weigh routes

Project confirmation. The final quotation identifies the agreed host, weigher configuration and performance conditions. Warranty is 12 months from machine receipt; see the terms on Services.

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