Linear Weigher or Multihead Weigher? A Practical Guide to Product-Based Selection

In the world of food packaging and product dosing, accurate weight measurement is essential. Linear weighers and multihead weighers (also known as combination scales) each have their ideal application scenarios. The key to choosing the right solution lies in your product characteristics and production requirements.

While multihead weighers offer superior speed and accuracy, linear weighing machines are better suited for specific product types or budget-conscious lines.

Why the Right Weigher Depends on Your Product

Both linear and multihead weighers are designed to automate the weighing process. However, their internal design, weighing principles, and ideal application differ significantly. The best choice depends on factors like product shape, required speed, target accuracy, and budget.

Think of it this way: choosing a weighing system is less about performance superiority and more about practical compatibility with your specific product characteristics.

Linear Weigher : Best Fit for Granules and Cost-Efficient Operations

Linear weighers are best suited for dry, free-flowing products that do not require extremely high speeds or ultra-high accuracy. Perfect for small-to-medium operations, linear weighers are compact, easy to maintain, and cost-effective.

Best for:

• Rice, sugar, salt, seeds
• Powdered detergent
• Small granules or pellets

Why choose a linear weighing machine:

• Cost-effective and compact
• Simple operation and maintenance
• Great for medium-speed packaging lines

High Dream Linear Weigher Highlights:

• Designed for free-flowing granules and coarse powders
• Automates filling to reduce manual errors
• Ideal for 2–60 packs/min production speeds
• Compact and easy to clean—ideal for frequent changeovers

Multihead Weigher: Best for Mixed, Irregular, or High-Speed Products

Multihead weighers, also known as combination scales, are the ideal solution when your packaging process demands high speed, high accuracy, or precise mix-weighing. They are widely used in food, snack, and frozen goods packaging—especially when handling irregular shapes or multiple ingredients per pack, such as in a Meat Wrapping Machine where speed and hygiene are paramount.

Thanks to their intelligent combination algorithm, multihead linear weighers can quickly calculate the best weight combination across multiple heads, greatly reducing giveaway and increasing efficiency.

Best for:

• Mixed snacks (e.g. nuts, dried fruit)
• Candy and confectionery (gummies, chocolates, marshmallows)
• Frozen foods with irregular shapes (vegetable blends, meat portions)
• Pet food and ready meals
• Pack-in-pack formats (e.g., small sachets packed into outer bags)
• High-value or sensitive products where accuracy is critical

Why choose a multihead weigher:

• Combines speed and precision unmatched by other systems
• Supports mix-weighing for multiple ingredients in one pack
• Minimizes product giveaway through advanced combination logic
• Handles complex character or irregular products with ease
• Handles irregular or challenging products with ease

High Dream Multihead Weigher Highlights:

• Designed for precision, speed, and versatility
• Customizable configurations for different industries and layout constraints
• Available with IP64/IP66 hygienic design for food-grade applications
• Seamless integration with VFFS, pouch fillers, and other packaging equipment
• Affordable solutions for companies automating without sacrificing performance

Application Comparison Table

How to Choose: 3 Practical Questions for Weigher Selection

Before making a decision, ask yourself:

1. What type of product are you packaging?

   
   For free-flowing powders and granules, a linear weigher often provides sufficient accuracy and efficiency. However, if your product includes sticky, fragile, or mixed ingredients, a multihead weigher can offer better handling and portioning consistency.

2. What production speed does your line require?

   
   Linear weighers typically suit medium-speed lines (up to around 10–60 packs per minute), balancing cost and performance. For higher throughput needs, especially above 60 ppm, multihead weighers are usually more appropriate, though at a higher investment.

3. How critical is weighing precision and giveaway control?

   
   If your production involves costly ingredients where even small giveaway impacts profitability, multihead weighers provide superior precision and combination logic to reduce waste. But if moderate accuracy meets your requirements, linear weighers can be a practical, cost-effective choice.

Additional Factors When Choosing a Weigher System

Use Cases: How Linear & Multihead Weighers Solve Real Problems

Understanding the technical specs is important, but seeing how each weigher performs in actual production can be even more insightful. Below are three real-world examples showing how multihead weighers and linear weighers meet different packaging challenges across industries.

Case Study: How a German Frozen Food Factory Doubled Packaging Speed

Company Profile: A mid-sized frozen food manufacturer based in Bavaria, Germany, specializing in mixed vegetable and meat portion trays for supermarket chains across Europe.

Application Product: Pre-portioned frozen vegetable blends and meat cuts.

Challenge:
Manual weighing and portioning led to inconsistent product weights, frequent rework, and slow packaging throughput. This inconsistency increased product giveaway, cutting into profit margins.

Solution:
High Dream’s technical team worked closely with the client to implement a 16-head large-volume multihead weigher, specifically configured for bulky or irregular products like frozen vegetables and meat cuts. The system featured larged hoppers volume and opening to ensure smooth flow and accurate portioning of large-size ingredients. It was seamlessly integrated into the factory’s existing tray filling and sealing line, minimizing installation time and disruption.

Results:

• Packaging speed increased from 45 to 100 trays per minute.
• Labor costs reduced through automation; ROI achieved within six months.
• Faster product changeovers enabled greater production flexibility.

Learn more: Combination Scale Applications in Frozen Food Production

Application Example: Automating Seed Packaging in a Spanish Workshop

Company Profile:
A family-owned agricultural packaging company based near Valencia, Spain, specializing in the retail packaging of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and small-grain agricultural products. The company supplies regional supermarkets and organic food distributors.

Application Product:
250g and 500g retail bags of sunflower and pumpkin seeds.

Challenge:
The existing manual and semi-automatic filling process frequently led to weight deviations and inconsistent bag quality. Seed flow was unstable, and frequent manual adjustments caused operator fatigue and reduced overall line efficiency. The client also needed a hygienic solution that could be quickly cleaned between product types.

Solution:
High Dream recommended a Small 4-Head Linear Weigher equipped with a twin-vibration feeding system, specifically designed for small, free-flowing products like seeds. The system featured independent motor drives for each weighing hopper, allowing easy maintenance and consistent performance. Its compact footprint and user-friendly interface made it ideal for limited space and operators with minimal training.

Result:

• Achieved consistent output of up to 50 packs per minute with improved weight accuracy.
• Reduced manual intervention by over 70%, improving operator efficiency.
• With a lower capital investment, the client was able to automate without exceeding budget.

Customer Story: Solving Weighing Challenges for Mixed Snacks in the U.S.

Solution: Installed an 30-Head Combination Scale with 3 dedicated feeding sections and independent mixing logic.

Company Profile:
A snack food company based in Chicago, USA, launching a mixed nuts and dried fruit variety pack for retail distribution.

Application Product:
Retail packs containing a precise mix of 5 kinds of different nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts) and dried fruits (raisins, cranberries).

Challenge:
The client struggled to maintain consistent weights and ingredient ratios using manual or basic weighing equipment, leading to customer complaints and high product giveaway.

Solution:
High Dream supplied an 30-head multihead weigher with multiple dedicated feeding sections optimized for handling mixed, irregularly shaped products. The advanced combination logic ensures each pack contains the right portions of each ingredient while minimizing giveaway.

Result:

• Achieved consistent portioning accuracy with giveaway reduced from 7% to below 1.5%.
• Significantly decreased rejected packs and customer complaints.
• Increased line throughput by 200%, supporting higher sales volumes.

See Case Study: Multihead Weighing for Mixed Chocolate Snack Packs

Final Thought: Match the Machine to the Product

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to weighing systems. The decision between a linear or multihead weigher should be based on your product characteristics, production speed, and required accuracy. At High Dream, we specialize in delivering tailored, cost-effective Automatic Weighing and Packaging Machines—from compact linear scales for small granules, to multihead linear weighers designed for high-speed snack and mixed product applications. Our systems are built with reliability, hygienic design, and intelligent controls, and are trusted by manufacturers around the world. Need help choosing the best weighing machine for your product? Contact our team today to explore custom solutions for your packaging line.