Overview
The multihead weigher revolutionized modern packaging by introducing combinatorial weighing technology in the 1970s. Unlike traditional scales, it uses multiple weighing buckets (typically 10-24) that simultaneously measure small portions of product. A computer analyzes all possible combinations in milliseconds to select the group of buckets whose total weight most closely matches the target. This technology reduces giveaway (excess product in each package) by 1-3% compared to linear scales, delivering significant material savings in high-volume production. Major manufacturers include Ishida, Yamato, and Multiweigh, with applications spanning snack foods, fresh produce, frozen items, and even industrial parts like screws or washers.
Structure and Working Principle
A standard multihead weigher comprises three main sections: the feeder system (linear or vibratory), the weighing hoppers (stainless steel buckets with load cells), and the central processing unit. Product flows from the main feeder into distribution pans that evenly supply the individual weigh buckets. The CPU runs combinatorial algorithms that evaluate thousands of potential bucket combinations per second. Once the optimal combination is identified, selected buckets discharge product into the packaging machine below. Advanced models feature anti-stick coatings for sticky products, dust-proof electronics for flour applications, or washdown designs for meat processing environments.
Key Features
Modern multihead weighers achieve remarkable speeds of 100-300 weighments per minute with accuracies ranging from ±0.1g for premium snacks to ±1g for frozen vegetables. Many models offer dual-lane operation, allowing simultaneous weighing of two different products or package sizes. Smart features include self-diagnostic systems that detect clogged buckets or calibration drift, and IoT connectivity for remote monitoring of performance metrics. Some units incorporate vision systems to reject misshapen products or metal detectors for food safety compliance. The latest innovations include AI-powered adaptive feeding that learns product flow characteristics to optimize distribution.
Application Areas
In the food sector, multihead weighers dominate snack packaging (chips, nuts), frozen foods (vegetables, seafood), confectionery (gummies, chocolates), and dried fruits. Their gentle handling makes them ideal for fragile items like potato chips, where breakage must be minimized. Non-food applications include hardware (nails, screws), pet food, pharmaceuticals (tablets), and recycled materials (plastic flakes). Specialized versions handle challenging products like sticky dates (with Teflon-coated surfaces), dusty powders (with enclosed systems), or oily nuts (with anti-static features). The technology is particularly valuable for high-mix production lines that frequently change products or package sizes.
Maintenance and Precautions
Regular maintenance should include daily visual inspections for product buildup, weekly load cell checks using test weights, and monthly lubrication of moving parts. Critical areas needing attention are the pivot points of weigh buckets and the feeder mechanisms. Operators should avoid overloading the system beyond its rated capacity, as this can damage load cells. Environmental factors like temperature fluctuations, vibrations from nearby equipment, or air currents from HVAC systems can affect accuracy. For food-grade applications, use only approved sanitizers that won't corrode stainless steel components during cleaning cycles.
B2B Procurement Guide
When sourcing a multihead weigher, specify your product characteristics (size, weight range, stickiness), required speed (bags/minute), and accuracy needs. Request demonstrations with your actual product, not just test materials, to evaluate performance. Consider total cost of ownership including energy consumption (typically 1-3kW), spare parts availability (common wear items like rubber stoppers and feeder belts), and compatibility with existing packaging machines (communication protocols, physical interfaces). Leading manufacturers offer modular designs that allow future expansion, such as adding more weigh heads as production needs grow.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：[]
- 主营：吸料机、喂料机、给料机、组合秤、失重秤、送料机、配料机、集中供料、定量喂料、喂料系统、改性塑料、气力输送、计量喂料、配料系统、精准计量、无尘投料、活化料斗、陶瓷釉料、电磁振动、计量混合、粉体吨包、自动化配料、螺杆计量秤、螺旋输送机、自动加料系统、计量喷射系统
- 主营：皮带秤、电子皮带秤、皮带计量秤、组合秤、输送机计量秤、ics皮带称、高精度皮带秤、阵列式皮带秤、高精度电子皮带秤、皮带秤厂家、计量皮带秤、输送带计量秤、洗煤厂皮带秤、输煤皮带秤、煤炭皮带秤、防爆皮带秤、矿用皮带秤、井下电子皮带秤、矿用防爆皮带秤、矿用电子皮带秤、港口皮带秤、皮带自动采样机、皮带采样机、煤矿皮带秤、高精度螺旋秤、螺旋秤
- 主营：皮带秤、螺旋秤、电子皮带秤、组合秤、转子秤、固体流量计、失重秤喂料机、调速皮带秤、冲板流量计、粉煤灰转子秤、料斗秤、链板秤、配料皮带秤、失重秤、单管螺旋秤、配料秤、料仓秤、ics电子皮带秤、皮带计量秤、输送带计量秤、托辊皮带秤
- 主营：茶叶包装机、挂耳咖啡包装机、袋泡茶包装机、组合秤包装机、八宝茶包装机、粉末包装机、粉剂包装机、圆角包装机、枕式包装机、三维包装机、化妆品包装机、液体包装机、果酱包装机、枸杞包装机、花茶包装机、调味品包装机、透明膜包装机、五金配件包装机、三角包茶叶包装机、益生菌包装机、多头电子秤包装机、全自动颗粒包装机、酱料包装机、给袋式包装机、五谷杂粮包装机
- 主营：组合秤、给袋式包装机
- 主营：码垛机器人、开箱机、装箱机器人、灌装旋盖机、自动封箱机、高速开箱机、自动供瓶、塑料标签、自动涂胶、供瓶转盘、立式圆瓶、贴标签机器、半自动圆瓶、自动套标机、自动理瓶机、自动数标机、药瓶理瓶机、手动套标机、双头套标机、塑料瓶套标机、纯净水套标机、塑料瓶理瓶机、自动套标签机、热缩膜套标机、卧式贴标签机
- 主营：胶黏剂、发酵肥、陶瓷泵、灌装线、灌装生、灌装、装机灌、压盖机、包装机、辣椒酱、输送线、清洗剂、香菇酱、分装线、尿素液、装桶机、调味品、包装秤、包装线、打包机、分袋机、分装机、水果酱、输送机、吨包秤
- 主营：喷油线、光检机、分拣机、组合秤、分选机、上蛋机、洗蛋机、盐水蛋清、洗蛋设备、包装设备、清洗设备、洗蛋清洗机、清洗流水线、收蛋流水线、蛋品分级机、蛋品清洗机、清洗杀菌线、鸡蛋清洗机、自动分级机、蛋品清洁机、鸭蛋清洗机、喷码流水线、光检风干线、真空包装机、自动清洗机、电动洁蛋机
- 主营：立式包装机、枕式包装机、给袋式包装机、自动灌装机、颗粒包装机、粉末包装机、液体包装机、酱料包装机、土豆粉包装机、定量包装秤、膏体包装机、真空包装机、称重包装机、定量包装机、半自动包装机
- 主营：立式包装机、给袋式包装机、自动定量包装秤、自动灌装机、枕式包装机、颗粒包装机、粉末包装机、液体包装机、膏体包装机、酱料包装机、半自动包装机、土豆粉包装机、鲜米粉包装机、湿面条包装机、湿粉条包装机
- 主营：湿巾枕、餐具枕、糍粑枕、灌装机、干红枣、炒货枕、奥利奥、茶包装、坚果仁、料给袋、牛奶粉、包装机、薏米茶、燕麦片、木瓜裹、袋装枕、湿纸巾、组合称、下走纸、调味料、黄金豆、文具枕、拌粉枕、袋泡茶、零食枕
- 主营：防爆灌装机、200升灌装机、润滑油灌装机、树脂灌装机、化工灌装机、油漆灌装机、溶剂灌装机、硫酸灌装机、视觉灌装机、200L灌装机、25升灌装机、活塞灌装机、流量计灌装机、自动灌装生产线、200kg四桶灌装机、IBC吨桶灌装线、吨桶灌装机、全自动化工桶灌装机、油墨灌装机、涂料灌装机、防腐蚀灌装机、酸碱灌装机、固化剂灌装机、乳胶漆桶灌装机、吨袋包装机
- 主营：枕式包装机、液体包装机、颗粒包装机、组合秤包装机、粉末包装机、酱料包装机、食品包装机、五金包装机、称重包装机、定量包装机、螺丝包装机、点数包装机、全自动包装机、多头称包装机、上走膜枕式包装机、下走膜枕式包装机、三伺服枕式包装机、给袋式包装机、异型袋包装机、量杯包装机、链斗包装机
- 主营：包装机、薯片饼干、称重机器、组合秤、五谷杂粮定量秤
- 主营：封灌机、奶粉罐、封罐机、灌装机、燕窝灌装、中药粉灌装、罐装机、塑料封罐、手动脚踏、罐装封口、坚果花生、双头耳带、药瓶旋盖机、小颗粒包装、中药包装机、装袋包装机、大颗粒封口、铝箔封口机、电动半自动、自动焊带机、铁罐封口机、塑料罐纸罐、小颗粒封口、燕窝封口机、电磁感应铝箔
- 主营：吹瓶灌装、挤出机、造粒机、AGV小车
- 主营：包装机、封口机、贴标机、灌装机、打码机、打包机、封箱机
- 主营：包装机、超声波、尼龙袋、液体灌装机、自动灌装机、小袋灌装机、粉碎机、三角袋、三角包、咖啡袋、咖啡卷膜、热封茶叶、自动计量、联袋自动、尼龙三角、五金配件、茶叶滤纸、袋泡茶标签、茶叶包装膜、袋泡茶棉线、袋泡茶吊牌、振动盘计数、袋泡茶滤纸、袋装洗护液、小袋油包机