Snacks and pet food

Multihead weighers for snacks, treats and dry pet food products.

Snack and pet food products often combine irregular piece size with fragile, oily, coated or bulky characteristics. The machine and packing line must preserve product quality while still producing stable portions and clean pack seals.

Product quality

Protect the product through distribution, weighing and discharge.

A multihead weigher cannot compensate for poor bulk feeding or excessive drop height elsewhere in the line. Product quality should be checked from the first infeed point to the finished bag or pouch, including collisions, long drops and product trapped in the seal area.

Fragile and coated pieces

Use controlled feeder amplitude, suitable contact surfaces and the shortest practical drop. Record breakage or coating loss before and after the trial.

Oily or adhesive products

Product may stick to smooth surfaces or build up over time. Dimpled or alternative finishes can help in some applications, but the real product must be tested.

Bulky low-density products

Large pieces may fill hopper volume before reaching the target weight. Hopper, chute and pack-opening dimensions therefore matter as much as the target weight.

Line design

Coordinate portion calculation with the pack cycle.

The combination weigher selects available portions to meet the target, but the timing hopper and packing machine decide when the combined dose can leave. A VFFS line needs a confirmed bagger-ready state; a pre-made pouch line needs the pouch present and open before discharge.

Product issueDesign response to assessTrial observation
BreakageReduced drops, controlled vibration, gentle hopper operationBefore-and-after sample inspection
StickingSurface finish, feeder angle, cleaning frequencyBuild-up during a sustained run
Large piecesHopper and chute volume, outlet size, staggered or multiple discharge if supportedBlockage, settling and pack opening clearance
Seasoning or crumbsDust containment, cleanable contact path, seal-zone protectionRetained fines and finished seal quality

Allergen and product changeover

Where products contain different allergens or coatings, define the cleaning release standard and the order in which products will run. The machine layout must allow the agreed cleaning method and inspection of product-contact areas.

Acceptance run

Measure weight data and output while also recording product damage, crumbs, coating loss, spills, seal contamination, rejects and restarts. A fast short run is not enough if product build-up develops over time.

Prepare the enquiry

Send representative product and the real bag or pouch format.

Include the product size range, fragility, oil or seasoning, target weights, pack opening, required output and any cleaning or allergen controls. The trial and FAT guide can be used to define the evidence required.

Product trial

Prove weight control and product quality together.

Lancing can review the product and packing format and identify the configuration and trial checks needed before a final recommendation.

Request a product review
Buyer questions

Frequently asked questions about this application.

Are multihead weighers suitable for crisps and snacks?

They are commonly considered for free-flowing snack products, but hopper volume, product fragility, surface finish and drop height must be confirmed with the real product.

What are dimpled surfaces used for?

Dimpled surfaces may help some sticky or oily products release more consistently. Suitability depends on the product and cleaning method.

How is product damage assessed?

Compare representative samples before and after the machine path and agree acceptable breakage, coating loss or crumbs before the trial.

Can one weigher feed both VFFS and pouch machinery?

A weigher can be configured for different downstream machines where the mechanical outlet, timing hopper and controls interface are designed for the selected packer.