Multihead Weighers — Combination Weighing Systems
Industrial multihead weighers for accurate, high-speed weighing of snacks, nuts, candy, granules and small hardware parts. Our combination weighers pair an 18-head, 3-tier structure with 0.1g resolution and speeds up to 180 weighments per minute — built to drop straight onto vertical baggers, linear fill systems and can lines. Factory-direct from SunAura Machinery’s 48,000㎡ Qingdao plant.
What Is a Multihead Weigher & How Does It Work?
A multihead weigher — also called a combination weigher — is an automatic weighing machine that splits a bulk stream of product across many independent weigh hoppers, then uses math, not a single scoop, to assemble a target weight. Instead of trying to pour exactly 100g into one hopper and hoping it lands close, the machine holds a little product in each of 18 hoppers, measures every hopper precisely, and picks the handful of hoppers whose combined weight lands closest to your target dose. The result is far faster and far more accurate than a single-head or volumetric scale, because the controller always has many partial weights to choose from.
The brain of the machine is its combination algorithm. As product settles in each weigh hopper, a precision load cell under that hopper reads its live weight dozens of times per second. The controller then calculates every mathematically possible subset of hoppers — on an 18-head machine that is a large number of combinations per cycle — and ranks them by how close their summed weight is to the set target, while never accepting an underweight combination. The winning subset opens its hopper doors simultaneously, dumping that exact dose down the central discharge funnel into the bagger or container below. The unused hoppers simply keep holding product for the next cycle, so the machine never waits for a refill to run. This continuous, overlapping cycle is what pushes throughput to 180 weighments per minute.
Physically, our multihead weighers use a 3-tier structure. At the top, a vibratory feeder and distribution cone spread product evenly out to every head. The middle tier is a ring of pool hoppers that catch and buffer product, releasing it in controlled amounts downward. The bottom tier holds the 18 weigh hoppers, each mounted on its own load cell, which do the actual measuring and then discharge the selected combination through the central cone. This tiered design keeps product moving smoothly, avoids cross-feeding between heads, and makes the hoppers easy to remove, wash, and swap — important for food and confectionery lines that change recipes often.
Our Multihead Weigher Range
Our current multihead weigher range centers on the 4th-generation 18-head combination weigher — the workhorse for dry, free-flowing products in the 15–500g band. Click the card below for the full spec sheet, application notes, and inquiry form. Additional head counts and linear combination systems are available to order.
Why Buy Your Multihead Weigher from SunAura Machinery
48,000㎡ Own Factory
Complete in-house manufacturing in Qingdao — frames, hopper bending and control cabinets under one roof.
CE Certified
Every multihead weigher ships with CE documentation and full electrical and mechanical safety files.
ISO 9001:2015
Certified quality management system covering load cell sourcing, calibration and final run testing.
SGS Audited
Third-party factory audit passed, with 20+ national patents in weighing and packaging machine design.
12-Month Warranty
Full parts and labor warranty from shipment date, backed directly by factory weighing engineers.
Lifetime Tech Support
Email, WhatsApp and remote video guidance for calibration and troubleshooting for the machine’s life.
Parts Shipped in 48h
Genuine spare hoppers, load cells and stepper motors dispatched worldwide via DHL / FedEx within 48 hours.
48h Run Test
Every weigher completes a 48-hour continuous run test on your product type before final shipment approval.
Applications by Industry
Multihead weighing shines wherever product is free-flowing and target weight must be both fast and consistent. Our combination weighers serve these six core industries:
Food & Snacks
Potato chips, popcorn, pretzels, dried fruit and puffed snacks — gentle hopper action protects fragile products while holding tight weight tolerances.
Confectionery
Hard candy, gummies, chocolate beans and jelly sweets — anti-stick hopper surfaces and quick-change parts handle sticky, sugar-dusted product cleanly.
Nuts & Seeds
Cashews, peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds and raisins — combination weighing copes with natural size variation far better than cup or volumetric fillers.
Hardware & Fasteners
Screws, nuts, bolts, washers and small plastic parts — count-and-weigh combinations give consistent piece counts even when individual parts vary in weight.
Pharmaceutical
Dry granules, powders in foil packs, and over-the-counter dose sachets — stainless-steel contact parts and traceable batch data support GMP-style control.
Pet Food
Kibble, treats, freeze-dried bites and granules — durable hoppers handle dusty, oily product while holding portion weight for sachet and pouch packs.
How to Choose the Right Multihead Weigher
Use this five-step checklist to match the correct combination weigher to your product and line. If you are unsure, send us product samples and your target weight and speed — our engineers will recommend the right head count and hopper size free of charge.
- Product type and shape: Free-flowing granules and snacks suit standard smooth hoppers. Sticky confectionery, oily nuts or static-prone crisps need anti-stick or coated hopper surfaces. Irregular, fragile or sharp-edged parts need softer hopper openings and slower dump action. Tell us exactly what you run so we spec the right hopper lining and feeder amplitude.
- Target weight range: Our 18-head model covers 15–500g, which covers the large majority of snack sachets, nut packs and hardware kits. Target weights under 15g need smaller hoppers and higher resolution; weights over 500g need larger hoppers or a bigger-head machine. Always quote both your minimum and maximum pack weight.
- Required speed (weighments per minute): Count the fastest bags per minute your bagger needs. The 18-head model reaches up to 180 WPM. Heavier or awkward products run slower than the rated peak, so build in margin — aim for your required speed at roughly 70–80% of the machine’s stated maximum to stay comfortable across a full shift.
- Head count: More heads mean more combinations, higher accuracy and faster weighing at the same target weight. 18 heads is the sweet spot for 15–500g production. Smaller 10-head machines cut cost but lose speed and accuracy; 20-head+ machines are reserved for very fast or very tight-tolerance lines. Match head count to your accuracy requirement, not just your budget.
- Material and construction: Food, pharma and pet food contact parts must be food-grade stainless steel (typically SUS304, SUS316 for corrosive products). Confirm IP-rated enclosures for wash-down environments, and check that hoppers and chutes tool-free detach for daily cleaning. Also confirm 220V vs 380V supply and whether your line needs left-hand or right-hand discharge.
Troubleshooting Guide — Common Issues & Solutions
Multihead weighers are precise instruments, and most problems come down to product buildup, vibration, or calibration drift rather than a failed component. This table covers the five most frequent issues our field engineers diagnose remotely, with practical fixes. Always isolate power and release air pressure before reaching into the hoppers.
| Problem | Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Inaccurate weighing / weight drift | Load cell needs re-zero or calibration; product residue on a weigh hopper or its load cell; external vibration from nearby bagger or conveyor; loose mounting bolts; temperature drift. |
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| Slow discharge / below rated WPM | Vibratory feeder underfilling the pool hoppers; hopper opening time set too long; sticky product clinging and slowing dumps; discharge funnel partially blocked; too many rejected (no-good) combinations. |
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| Hopper jamming / doors not opening | Oversize product or a foreign object wedged in the hopper; product bridging in the pool hopper; worn hopper door or liner; pneumatic/stepper actuator fault; air pressure too low. |
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| Display / communication errors | Loose sensor or communication cable (RS-485/Ethernet); EMI from nearby drives; failed load cell interface board; touchscreen frozen; fluctuating mains voltage. |
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| Product buildup in hoppers | Oily, sugary or static product clinging to hopper walls; inconsistent cleaning schedule; rough or worn hopper surface; high humidity causing product to stick. |
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For issues not covered above, send photos and a short video of the problem to ethan@sunaura.com.cn — our weighing engineers typically diagnose root cause within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a multihead weigher and a linear weigher?
A linear weigher opens one hopper at a time and cuts a single dose by weight — it is simple but slow and gives away product because it must overfill slightly to stay legal. A multihead (combination) weigher holds product across many hoppers and mathematically combines them to hit the target. The combination method is faster (up to 180 WPM on our 18-head model) and far tighter on giveaway, because the controller always finds a near-exact subset of hoppers instead of guessing with one scoop.
How accurate is an 18-head combination weigher?
Our 18-head multihead weigher reads to a minimum graduation of 0.1g. Actual pack accuracy depends on the product and target weight, but typical standard deviation sits well within legal weight tolerances for 15–500g snack and nut packs. Because the controller picks the best combination every cycle, average giveaway is much lower than with single-head scales — usually paying back the machine on reduced overfill alone.
What products can it weigh, and what should it not weigh?
It is designed for dry, reasonably free-flowing products: noodles, granules, nuts, candy, snack pieces, dried fruit, pet kibble and small hardware parts. It is not suited to heavy pastes, very wet sticky slurries, or extremely fine powders that flood and bridge through the hoppers without a dedicated feeder. If your product is borderline, send a sample — we will run it on the actual machine and send video before you commit.
How many bags per minute will I actually get?
The 18-head model is rated up to 180 weighments per minute, but real output depends on product shape, target weight and how fast your bagger or cup filler can accept a drop. Fragile crisps and irregular pieces run slower than smooth granules. As a planning rule, expect roughly 70–80% of the peak rating for a steady full shift, and confirm with your downstream machine’s speed before ordering.
Do the hoppers have to be stainless steel, and are they removable?
Yes — all product-contact parts are food-grade stainless steel. The hoppers are designed to tool-free detach so operators can lift them off, wash them, and swap in a spare set between recipe changes. This is essential for food, confectionery and pet food lines that run multiple products a day and need fast changeover and thorough cleaning.
Can it integrate with my existing bagging machine?
Yes. Combination weighers communicate with downstream baggers, linear fill machines and cup fillers via standard I/O signals (a “weigh complete” trigger and a discharge signal). We confirm conveyor height, discharge direction and signal type before shipment, and can customize the frame height and chute to match your existing equipment. Send us a photo of your bagger and we will confirm compatibility.
Get a Factory-Direct Multihead Weigher Quote in 24 Hours
Tell us your product, target pack weight, and required bags per minute — our engineers reply with the right head count, FOB price and lead time within one business day. Every multihead weigher is built in our 48,000㎡ Qingdao factory, CE & ISO 9001 certified, and run-tested on your product type for 48 continuous hours before shipment.
Email ethan@sunaura.com.cnRelated Product Categories
Multihead weighers rarely run alone. Pair your combination weigher with the rest of the SunAura packaging line: