18-Head Multihead Weigher
The SUNAURA 18-Head Multihead Weigher is a 4th-generation 3-tier combination weigher built for the 15–500g product band. Eighteen stainless-steel weigh hoppers, each on its own load cell, combine mathematically to hit your target dose at up to 180 weighments per minute with 0.1g resolution — ideal for noodles, granules, nuts, candy and small hardware parts on vertical baggers and can lines. CE-certified and factory-direct from Qingdao.
Product Description
The SUNAURA 18-Head Multihead Weigher is a 4th-generation combination weighing system engineered around a 3-tier hopper layout. Product arrives at the top, where a vibratory feeder and distribution cone spread it evenly out to all eighteen heads. The middle pool-hopper tier buffers and meters product downward, while the bottom tier — eighteen weigh hoppers, each mounted on its own precision load cell — does the actual measuring. The controller continuously reads every hopper and calculates the best combination of heads to discharge, so each drop lands on target without waiting for a refill cycle. This overlap between weighing and discharging is what pushes the machine to 180 weighments per minute.
It covers a weighing range from 15g to 500g with a minimum graduation of 0.1g, using 0.8L hoppers sized for snacks, noodles, granules, nuts, candy and small hardware parts. A 10.4-inch color touchscreen sits on a swing arm at operator height, where setpoints, product presets and live weight statistics are all visible at a glance. Recipes are stored on the machine so operators can switch between products in seconds, and every hopper lifts out tool-free for wash-down and inspection. The product-contact frame is food-grade stainless steel, and the whole head is housed to keep dust out of the load cells and electronics.
Every unit undergoes a 48-hour continuous run test on representative product before shipment and ships CE certified. Our engineering team can run your own product through the machine in Qingdao and send weight-repeatability data and a demo video before you place the order, so you know exactly what accuracy and speed to expect on your own line.
Technical Specifications
| Generation | 4th Generation |
|---|---|
| Weighing Heads | 18 heads, 3-tier structure (feeder / pool hopper / weigh hopper) |
| Weighing Range | 15g – 500g |
| Minimum Graduation | 0.1g |
| Maximum Speed | Up to 180 WPM (weighments per minute) |
| Hopper Capacity | 0.8L per hopper |
| Weighing Principle | Automatic combination weighing with precision load cells |
| Feeding Method | Vibratory feeder with distribution cone |
| Hopper Material | Food-grade stainless steel, tool-free detachable |
| Display | 10.4-inch color touchscreen |
| Power Supply | 220V, 50/60Hz, 3kW |
| Typical Applications | Noodles, granules, bulk materials, nuts, candy, hardware parts, etc. |
| Certification | CE Certified, ISO 9001 factory |
Key Features & Benefits
- True combination weighing, not single-scoop: The controller computes every possible hopper subset each cycle and selects the closest match to target, cutting giveaway dramatically versus cup or linear weighers.
- 18 heads, 3-tier structure: Vibratory feed, pool hoppers and weigh hoppers stacked cleanly so product flows downward without cross-feeding between heads — fast, repeatable, and easy to access.
- 0.1g resolution across 15–500g: High-resolution load cells hold tight tolerances from light sachets up to half-kilogram packs, all on one machine.
- Up to 180 weighments per minute: Overlapping weigh-and-discharge cycles let the machine keep pace with high-speed vertical form-fill-seal and can lines.
- 10.4-inch touchscreen with recipe storage: Store multiple product presets, view live weight statistics, and tune feeder amplitude and timing on a clear, operator-friendly interface.
- Tool-free stainless-steel hoppers: Every 0.8L hopper lifts out by hand for fast washing, inspection and recipe changeover — a real advantage on multi-product food lines.
- Broad product compatibility: Handles noodles, granules, bulk materials, nuts, candy and small hardware parts, with anti-stick options for oily or sugary products.
- Factory run-tested and CE certified: Every weigher completes a 48-hour continuous run test before shipment, backed by a 12-month warranty and lifetime technical support.
Application Industries
Food & Snacks
Potato chips, popcorn, pretzels and puffed snacks — gentle combination weighing protects fragile pieces while holding tight pack weights.
Confectionery
Hard candy, gummies, chocolate beans and jelly sweets — anti-stick hopper options handle sugar-dusted and slightly sticky product.
Nuts & Seeds
Cashews, peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds and raisins — combination weighing copes with natural size variation better than volumetric fillers.
Hardware & Fasteners
Screws, nuts, bolts, washers and small plastic parts — weight-based batching gives consistent piece counts despite part-to-part weight variation.
Pharmaceutical
Dry granules and dose sachets — stainless contact parts, clean hopper removal and traceable weights support controlled production.
Pet Food
Kibble, treats, freeze-dried bites and granules — durable hoppers handle dusty, oily product while holding portion weight for pouches.
Product compatibility: Dry, reasonably free-flowing materials in the 15–500g band. Not intended for heavy pastes, wet slurries, or very fine powders without a dedicated feeder — send samples and we will confirm.
How Combination Weighing Works
On this 3-tier, 18-head machine, every weighment is assembled by math rather than by one scoop. The cycle repeats continuously:
- Vibratory feeder distributes product to all 18 heads. Product sits on the top feeder pan; vibration and the distribution cone spread it outward and downward so every pool hopper around the ring receives roughly the same amount.
- Pool hoppers release into the weigh hoppers. Each middle-tier pool hopper opens and drops a partial batch into the weigh hopper directly below it. Because doses are split across eighteen hoppers, each hopper holds only a small, easy-to-weigh amount.
- Load cells read every hopper’s live weight. Each weigh hopper rests on its own precision load cell, which sends its current weight to the controller dozens of times per second — down to 0.1g resolution.
- The controller calculates the best combination. It computes every mathematically possible subset of hoppers and ranks them by how closely their summed weight matches your target — always rejecting combinations that would underfill. On this 18-head system that large pool of choices is what keeps average giveaway so low.
- Selected hoppers dump together into the central funnel. The winning hoppers open simultaneously and release their combined dose down the discharge chute into the bagger below. The remaining hoppers keep holding product, the pool hoppers refill, and the next combination is already being calculated before the bag is even sealed.
Is This the Right Multihead Weigher for You?
This 18-head model is the right fit if your operation matches all four of the following. If you fall outside any of them, our team can recommend a different SUNAURA configuration:
- Target weight between 15g and 500g: This is the machine’s core band — snack sachets, nut packs, candy bags, hardware kits and dose sachets. If you routinely pack below 15g or above 500g, a smaller or larger-hopper configuration is a better match.
- Dry, reasonably free-flowing product: Noodles, granules, nuts, candy, kibble and small parts all run well. Heavy paste, wet slurries or flooding powders need a specialized feeder and are not what this standard unit is built for.
- Speed needs up to around 180 weighments per minute: Rated at 180 WPM, with realistic sustained output around 70–80% of that for a full shift. If you need faster, heavier or higher-tolerance work, we can discuss additional head counts.
- A line that can accept a floor-standing combination weigher: It sits above your bagger or filler, needs 220V single-phase power and a stable, vibration-isolated floor. We customize frame height and discharge direction to match your existing downstream machine.
Troubleshooting Guide — Common Issues & Solutions
This 18-head weigher is dependable, but combination scales are sensitive to buildup, vibration and setup. Below are the most frequent problems we diagnose on this model, their likely causes, and fixes. Always isolate power and release air pressure before reaching into the hoppers.
| Problem | Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Weight not hitting target / high giveaway | Load cell calibration drifted; product buildup under a weigh hopper; feeder overfilling so combinations overshoot; target set too conservative in the recipe. |
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| Speed below 180 WPM in production | Pool hoppers not refilling fast enough; hopper open time set too long; sticky product slowing each dump; too many “no good” combinations being rejected. |
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| Hopper doors not opening fully or sticking | Product or foreign object wedged in the hopper; worn door edge or liner; actuator (stepper/pneumatic) not receiving full travel; air pressure low. |
|
| Load cell reads zero, unstable, or shows an error code | Load cell cable loose or damaged; weight resting on the hopper mechanism; failed load cell interface board; electrical ground loop; external vibration. |
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| Touchscreen frozen or unresponsive |
| |
| Product bridging or building up in the 0.8L hoppers | Oily, sugary or static product clinging; rough or worn hopper surfaces; high humidity; no daily wash-down routine. |
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If the issue persists after trying these steps, email photos and a short 10-second video of the problem to ethan@sunaura.com.cn — our engineers usually diagnose the root cause within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What weight range can this 18-head multihead weigher handle?
It weighs from 15g to 500g with a minimum graduation of 0.1g. That covers the large majority of snack sachets, nut and candy bags, noodle portions, hardware kits and dry dose sachets. If your packs are consistently under 15g or over 500g, tell us the exact weights and we will recommend the appropriate hopper and head configuration.
How fast is it, and will it keep up with my bagger?
It is rated up to 180 weighments per minute. Real output depends on product shape and target weight — smooth granules run faster than fragile crisps or irregular pieces. As a planning rule, expect a steady 70–80% of the peak across a full shift. Send us your bagger’s bags-per-minute rating and we will confirm the weigher can keep pace.
Can it weigh sticky or oily products like candy and nuts?
Yes, within reason. Standard stainless hoppers handle most nuts and candy well. For very sugary, oily or static-prone product, we can supply anti-stick coated hoppers and tune the feeder amplitude to reduce clinging. If you run borderline product, send a sample — we run it on the actual machine and send repeatability data before you order.
How do I clean it and switch between products?
Every hopper lifts out tool-free, so an operator can strip the whole ring, wash the hoppers, and swap in a clean set between recipes. Recipes are stored on the 10.4-inch touchscreen, so a product change is a few taps rather than a full mechanical re-set. This is designed for food lines that run several products a day.
What power and line integration does it need?
It runs on 220V, 50/60Hz, 3kW. It sits above your bagger or filler and communicates over standard I/O signals (weigh-complete and discharge triggers). We customize frame height, discharge direction (left or right) and chute geometry to match your existing machine. Send a photo of your bagger and we will confirm compatibility and footprint.
Why Buy From SUNAURA Machinery
48,000㎡ Own Factory
In-house manufacturing in Qingdao, China — no middlemen, no trader markup.
CE Certified
All machines meet European safety standards with full documentation.
ISO 9001:2015
Quality management system certified across the entire production process.
SGS Audited Factory
Third-party audited manufacturing facility with 20+ national patents.
12-Month Warranty
Full warranty covering parts and labor from the date of shipment.
Lifetime Support
Technical guidance via email, WhatsApp, and remote video for the machine’s life.
Spare Parts in 48h
Genuine hoppers, load cells and boards shipped worldwide within 48 hours.
100+ Countries Served
Trusted by packaging lines across food, confectionery, hardware and pet food.
Get a Factory-Direct Quote in 24 Hours
Tell us your product, target pack weight, and required output — our engineers reply with a recommendation, FOB price and lead time within one business day. Every 18-head multihead weigher is built in our 48,000㎡ Qingdao factory, CE & ISO 9001 certified, and run-tested on your product type before shipment.
Email ethan@sunaura.com.cnRelated Products
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