Multihead Weigher Industry Development: From Automation to Intelligent Weighing

In modern automated packaging lines, weighing plays an important role in maintaining product consistency, production efficiency, and accurate portion control. As an automated weighing solution, the multihead weigher, also known as a combination weigher, has become an important piece of equipment for food packaging and a growing range of industrial applications.

China's multihead weigher industry has gone through a significant transformation over the past several decades—from relying on imported equipment to developing domestic technologies and expanding into international markets. Established in 2006, Guangdong Kenwei Intellectualized Machinery Co., Ltd. has grown alongside this development, continuously improving its research, manufacturing, and application capabilities in automated weighing technology.

What Is a Multihead Weigher?

A multihead weigher is an automated weighing machine that uses multiple independent weighing hoppers to measure products simultaneously. Instead of weighing each package with a single weighing unit, the machine collects weight data from multiple hoppers and uses a combination algorithm to select the combination that is closest to the preset target weight. This operating principle is the key to the performance of a multihead combination weigher.

For example, when a target weight is set, each weighing hopper measures the amount of product it contains. The central control system analyzes the available weight combinations and selects a suitable combination based on the target weight. The selected hoppers then discharge the product into the packaging machine.

Depending on the product characteristics and production requirements, multihead weighers can be configured with different numbers of weighing heads, such as 10, 14, 20, 24, or 32 heads. More weighing heads can provide the system with more possible combinations, giving manufacturers greater flexibility when balancing weighing speed, accuracy, and target weight.

How Does a Multihead Weigher Work?

The basic weighing process of a multihead weigher can be divided into several stages. First, the product is distributed from the central feeding system to individual weighing hoppers. Each hopper independently measures the weight of the product it contains.

The control system then collects the weight information from all active weighing hoppers. Based on the preset target weight, the combination algorithm calculates multiple possible combinations and identifies a suitable combination.

Once the optimal combination is determined, the corresponding weighing hoppers open and discharge the product into the packaging machine. The system then continues the next weighing cycle.

This process is repeated automatically and continuously.

Compared with conventional single-point weighing methods, combination weighing allows multiple weight combinations to be evaluated at the same time. This helps achieve high production speeds while maintaining consistent target weights and reducing unnecessary product giveaway.

Modern multihead weighers can also incorporate functions such as automatic data monitoring, parameter management, error detection, and production data recording. Depending on the production line configuration, they can work together with VFFS machines, premade pouch packing machines, checkweighers, metal detectors, and other packaging equipment.

Why Are Multihead Weighers Used in Automated Packaging?

The growing use of multihead weighers is closely related to the development of automated packaging.

One major advantage is high weighing speed. Multiple weighing hoppers operate simultaneously, allowing the machine to complete weighing cycles continuously and efficiently.

Another benefit is accurate portion control. By selecting a suitable combination of hopper weights for each cycle, the system can reduce excessive product giveaway compared with less flexible weighing methods.

Multihead weighers can also help reduce manual operations. Once integrated into an automated packaging line, operators can focus more on equipment monitoring, material replenishment, quality control, and production management rather than manually weighing every package.

For food processing applications, equipment design is another important consideration. Stainless steel construction, modular components, and accessible contact parts can make cleaning and maintenance more convenient. The exact configuration should be selected according to the product, production environment, hygiene requirements, and packaging process.

Applications of Multihead Weighers Across Different Industries

Multihead weighers are widely used for products that require accurate portion weighing and automated packaging.

Food and Snack Food

Food packaging remains one of the major application areas for multihead weighing technology. Products such as:

• Nuts and seeds 
• Candy and confectionery 
• Potato chips and puffed snacks 
• Frozen food 
• French fries 
• Vegetables and fruits 
• Tea
• Pet food 

Other granular and irregular food products can be weighed using different multihead weigher configurations.

The appropriate machine configuration depends on product characteristics such as weight range, size, shape, flowability, stickiness, and required production speed.

Frozen Food

Frozen products often have irregular shapes and different product weights. Multihead weighing systems can be configured to handle a variety of frozen food products while integrating with automated packaging equipment.

Applications can include frozen vegetables, frozen fruits, French fries, meat products, and other suitable frozen products.

Pet Food

Pet food is another application where automated portion weighing can improve packaging consistency and production efficiency.

Depending on the product type and target weight, a multihead weigher can be integrated with a vertical or premade pouch packaging system to create a continuous weighing and packaging process.

Industrial Products

The application of combination weighing is not limited to food.

Suitable industrial products may include plastic components, hardware parts, granular materials, and other products that can be automatically fed and weighed.

For these applications, the machine configuration needs to be evaluated according to the product's physical characteristics and required weighing range.

The Development of China's Multihead Weigher Industry

The development of China's multihead weigher industry began several decades ago. During the early stage, many automated weighing technologies and machines used in the Chinese market came from overseas suppliers, particularly from Japan and Europe.

As China's manufacturing industry developed, demand for automated weighing and packaging equipment increased. Food processing, snack food, frozen food, and other industries increasingly required higher production efficiency and more consistent portion control.

Domestic manufacturers gradually developed capabilities in mechanical design, weighing technology, control systems, and combination algorithms. This supported the transition from imported equipment to domestically manufactured multihead weighing machines.

Today, Chinese manufacturers serve both domestic and international markets. The industry has also become increasingly focused on equipment stability, application-specific solutions, automation integration, and after-sales service.

The development of the industry reflects the broader transformation of China's manufacturing sector—from equipment assembly and technology introduction toward independent research, development, manufacturing, and global market expansion.

Kenwei’s Experience in Multihead Weighing Technology

Guangdong Kenwei Intellectualized Machinery Co., Ltd. was established in 2006.

Over the past two decades, Kenwei has focused on the development and manufacturing of weighing equipment and automated weighing solutions. The company has continuously expanded its product range and manufacturing capabilities to meet changing requirements across different industries and markets.

Kenwei's product portfolio includes multihead weighers, linear weighers, checkweighers, metal detectors, and automated weighing and packaging solutions.

The multihead weigher range covers configurations from 1 head to 32 heads, with different machine models designed for various product characteristics, target weights, production speeds, and application requirements.

Through continuous product development and manufacturing experience, Kenwei has built solutions for a wide range of applications, including snack food, frozen food, pet food, and other food and industrial products.

Today, Kenwei's products and solutions are used in more than 100 countries and regions around the world, supporting customers with automated weighing equipment for different production environments.

From Weighing Equipment to Automated Weighing Solutions

As packaging lines become more automated, manufacturers increasingly require more than a standalone weighing machine.

A modern packaging line may combine a multihead weigher with a feeding system, packaging machine, checkweigher, metal detector, conveyor, and other equipment. The different machines need to work together to maintain a continuous production process.

This has increased the importance of system integration and application engineering. Kenwei focuses on providing weighing equipment as well as automated weighing solutions based on individual production requirements. Factors such as product characteristics, target weight, packaging format, required speed, accuracy, available space, and downstream equipment can all affect the final solution.

This application-oriented approach helps manufacturers select equipment that is better matched to their actual production needs.

Future Trends in Multihead Weighing Technology

The development of multihead weighing technology is increasingly connected with digitalization, automation, and intelligent manufacturing.

Artificial intelligence, industrial internet technologies, IoT connectivity, and production data management may create new opportunities for automated weighing systems.

Future multihead weighers are expected to place greater emphasis on areas such as:

• Intelligent weighing algorithms 
• Production data collection and analysis 
• Remote equipment monitoring 
• Predictive maintenance 
• Integration with MES and other production management systems 
• Faster product changeovers 
• Flexible production for multiple product formats 
• Improved energy efficiency and equipment management 

These developments can help weighing equipment become more closely integrated with the overall production process rather than operating as an independent machine.

At the same time, manufacturers are facing increasingly diverse production requirements. Small-batch production, multiple product specifications, and faster changeovers are becoming important considerations for some packaging applications. Flexible machine configurations and easier parameter adjustment will therefore continue to be important areas of development.

Kenwei’s Approach to Intelligent Weighing

The development of the multihead weigher industry reflects the broader evolution of automated manufacturing.

From the early adoption of imported technology to the development of domestic manufacturing capabilities and the expansion of Chinese weighing equipment into international markets, the industry has continued to evolve.

For equipment manufacturers, technological development is only one part of this process. Stable operation, weighing accuracy, production speed, ease of maintenance, and compatibility with different products and packaging systems are also important factors in practical applications.

Since 2006, Kenwei has continued to develop its weighing technology and manufacturing capabilities while expanding its experience across different markets and applications.

Looking ahead, Kenwei will continue to focus on multihead weighing, automated weighing, and packaging solutions, with an emphasis on accurate, efficient, and intelligent equipment.

By combining weighing technology with automation and application experience, Kenwei aims to support customers around the world with weighing solutions designed for their specific production requirements.