Linear Weigher vs Multihead Weigher vs Volumetric Cup Filler: Complete Granule Filling Guide

Choosing the right granule filling machine depends on the product characteristics, target filling weight, required accuracy, production speed, and packaging format.

 For granules, seeds, nuts, snacks, beans, candies, and other free-flowing products, three common technologies are Linear Weighing Filling Machines, Multihead  Weighers, and Volumetric Cup Fillers.

 What Is a Linear Weigher?

A Linear Weigher Filling Machine uses weighing hoppers to measure a preset target weight.

Product is fed into the weighing hopper, and the machine controls the feeding speed until the required weight is reached. The weighed product is then discharged into a bag, pouch, bottle, jar, can or other container.

A linear weigher is often a good choice when the customer needs a simple, flexible and economical weighing solution.

    Main Advantages of a Linear Weigher

Weight-based filling

Simple operation

Flexible target-weight adjustment

Good accuracy for many small granular products

Suitable for small and medium production

Easy integration with packaging machines

Suitable for different package formats

Relatively simple maintenance

Compared with a multihead weigher, a linear weigher normally has a simpler structure and lower investment, while the multihead system is more suitable when high speed and combination weighing are required.

What Is a Multihead Weigher?

A Multihead Weigher is a high-speed combination weighing machine.

The product is distributed into multiple weighing hoppers. The control system calculates different combinations of hopper weights and selects the combination closest to the target weight.

This allows the machine to achieve both high speed and precise weight control.

Multihead weighing is particularly useful when the product has different particle sizes or shapes and the customer requires high production efficiency and accurate finished-pack weights.

 Main Advantages

 High Speed

 Multiple weighing heads operate simultaneously, making the machine suitable for high-output packaging lines.

 High Accuracy

 The machine selects the best combination of individual hopper weights instead of relying on a single fixed volume.

 Flexible Weight Setting

 Different target weights can be set through the control system.

 Suitable for Irregular Products

 Multihead weighers can handle many products that vary in shape, size and individual piece weight.

 Automatic Packaging Integration

The weigher can be connected with premade pouch machine ,can feeding machine with jars, cans and other automatic packaging equipment.

What Is a Volumetric Cup Filler?

A Volumetric Cup Filler measures the product according to volume.

Adjustable measuring cups are filled with product and then discharged into the package.

Unlike a weighing machine, the cup filler does not directly measure the weight of each dose. Therefore, bulk density is an important factor.

For products with stable density and good flowability, a volumetric cup filler can be a simple and economical solution. If bulk density changes significantly, the actual filling weight can also change.

Important Limitation

A cup filler is not the best choice when the product's bulk density changes significantly.

For example, the same measuring cup may contain different weights of beans if the beans have different moisture content, particle size or packing density.

Therefore:

Stable product density → Cup Filler can be a good choice

Variable product density → Weighing system is usually a better choice

Quick Comparison: Linear Weigher vs Multihead Weigher vs Volumetric Cup Filler

How to Choose the Right Granule Filling Machine?

The right solution depends on several factors:

Product → Target Weight → Accuracy → Production Speed → Package Type → Budget

For example:

Small or Medium Production

A Linear Weigher can provide a good balance between accuracy, flexibility, investment, and ease of operation.

High-Speed Production

A Multihead Weigher is normally the preferred solution because it can combine multiple weighing hoppers to achieve high speed and high accuracy.

Cost-Effective Filling

A Volumetric Cup Filler,linear weigher machine can be a practical choice for products with stable bulk density and consistent particle characteristics.

Which Products Are Suitable for Each Machine?

Linear Weigher machine

Linear weigher machine suitable for small granules product ,mostly customer will use 4 headds linear filling machine , filling range 100-1000g , speed about 10-25cans/min.

Recommended products: Rice,Beans,Lentils,Seeds,Grains,Peanuts,Nuts,Dried fruit,Pet food,Snack products,granules powder .

It is especially suitable for food factory looking for a reliable and economical weighing solution.

Multihead Weigher

A multihead weigher is recommended for products requiring high speed and high accuracy.

Recommended products: Potato chips,Gummies,Candy,Nuts,Peanuts,Cashews,Almonds,Dried fruit,Frozen vegetables,Frozen meat,,Snacks,Cereals,Pet food,etc

Difference product use the machine requirement also a little differnece , for example for stick product use the pattern plate , very high sticky for example gummy use Teflon patterned plate,and for under can feeding machine also can use vibration

Follow difference speed to select how many weigher head and can feeding machine , generally 10 heads multi weigher filling machine speed about 25-35can/min , 14 heads multi weigher filling machine speed about 30-45can/s min , if need higher speed , can use double feeding with the multi weigher machine by 14 heads weigher and 20 heads weigher and double head can feeding machine , speed about 45-68cans/min

Elevator selection advise :

Select the mutil head weigher filling machine also need conside the product lifting , generally it have Z elevator (for normal product ), Steep-angle conveying is suitable for lifting gummy-type products,Steep-angle conveying is suitable for lifting gummy-type products, and if the workshop has limited height, a bowl-type elevator can be selected.

Volumetric Cup Filler Machine

A cup filler is ideal for relatively uniform and free-flowing products with stable bulk density.

Recommended products:salts , popcorn,rice,,seeds,small pellets,low valued product

Important Product Characteristics Before Choosing a Filling Machine

1. Particle Size

2. Bulk Density

3. Flowability

4. Product Shape

6. Product Stickiness

7. Target Weight

Linear Weigher vs Multihead Weigher: Which One Should You Choose?

The choice mainly depends on production speed, accuracy requirements, product characteristics, and budget.

Choose a Linear Weigher If:

You have medium production requirements.

Your products are relatively uniform.

You want a simple weighing system.

Investment budget is limited

You need flexible target-weight adjustment.

Small granules product 

Choose a Multihead Weigher If:

High production speed is required.

High weighing accuracy is important.

Products have different sizes and shapes.

You package snacks, nuts, candy, frozen food, or other irregular products.

You need frequent weight changes.

You want to build a fully automatic packaging line.

Linear Weigher vs Volumetric Cup Filler: Which One Is Better?

The key difference is weight measurement versus volume measurement.

If your product has stable bulk density and your priority is economical filling, a cup filler can be a practical choice.

If your product density changes or you require better weight control, a linear weigher is generally the better option.

For example:

Rice with stable density → Volumetric Cup Filler can be suitable.

Mixed nuts with difference size and densities→Linear weigher or multihead weigher is usually better

Potato chis requiring high speed and accurate weighing →Multihead weigher is usually preferred

What Information Is Needed Before Choosing a Filling Machine?

A professional packaging machine manufacturer should not recommend a filling machine only based on the product name.

For example, saying "I need a machine for peanuts" is not enough.

The following information is more useful:

Product: Peanuts

Target Weight: 500 g

Production Capacity: 20-35cans

Product Size: 5–15 mm

Package: Can/Jar

Required Accuracy: ±1–3 g

Product Characteristics: Free-flowing, non-sticky

With these parameters, we can recommend a suitable weighing or filling system for you .

What is the best filling machine for granules?
The best filling machine depends on the granule characteristics and production requirements. Multihead weighers are ideal for high-speed and high-accuracy products such as nuts, snacks, candy and dried fruit. Linear weighers are suitable for general granules such as beans, seeds and grains when medium-speed weighing is required. Volumetric cup fillers are a cost-effective option for free-flowing products with stable bulk density, such as rice, beans and popcorn.