Kenwei is a global professional manufacturer which specialized in weigher packing machines and multihead weigher machines.

The Development of the Multihead Weigher Industry and Kenwei's Journey of Innovation

2026-09-16

Multihead weighers, also known as combination weighers or computer combination weighers, have become essential weighing equipment in automated packaging lines. Since multihead weighing technology was introduced to China in the 1980s, the industry has developed from reliance on imported equipment to domestic manufacturing and technological innovation, and has gradually expanded into international markets.

In the early stages, the Chinese market was largely dominated by Japanese and European brands. Since the beginning of the 21st century, however, the rapid development of manufacturing and the growing demand for automation in downstream industries have accelerated the development of domestic multihead weigher manufacturers. Today, Chinese-made weighing equipment is widely used in food and industrial packaging applications and exported to markets around the world.

How Does a Multihead Weigher Work?

The core value of a multihead weigher lies in the word “combination.”

A multihead weigher consists of multiple independent weighing units, commonly referred to as “heads.” During operation, each weighing unit collects the weight of the product simultaneously. The central control system then calculates different weight combinations in real time based on the preset target weight and selects a suitable combination for discharge.

Common configurations range from 10 heads to 32 heads, depending on the product, target weight, required speed and application. With more weighing heads, the system has more possible combinations to work with, which can provide greater flexibility in balancing weighing accuracy and production speed.

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Compared with conventional volume-based measuring methods, multihead weighing technology can provide highly accurate portion control while maintaining high production efficiency. Modern multihead weighers can also incorporate functions such as automatic data adjustment, production data management, fault diagnosis and communication with other equipment.

As part of an automated packaging line, a multihead weigher can be integrated with equipment such as VFFS packaging machines, metal detectors and checkweighers to create a complete weighing and packaging solution.

Wide Range of Applications

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

In the food industry, common applications include:

Candy and confectionery
Nuts and seeds
Snack foods
Frozen foods
Fresh and processed foods
Tea
Dried fruits and vegetables
Pet food

Beyond food packaging, weighing technology is also used for applications involving pharmaceutical products, plastic components, hardware parts, chemical materials and other granular or free-flowing products.

For manufacturers, automated multihead weighing can offer several advantages. High-speed weighing helps increase production capacity, while accurate combination calculations can reduce product giveaway and improve material utilization. Automation can also reduce the amount of manual labor required on the packaging line.

Stainless-steel construction and modular equipment design can further support cleaning and maintenance requirements, particularly in food and other hygiene-sensitive production environments.

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Kenwei: Growing with the Multihead Weigher Industry

Founded in 2006, Guangdong Kenwei Intellectualized Machinery Co., Ltd. has grown alongside the development of China's multihead weighing industry.

Over the past two decades, Kenwei has continuously followed developments in weighing technology, moving from the early stage of technology learning and improvement toward independent R&D and the development of intelligent and digital weighing solutions. Today, Kenwei operates a modern manufacturing base of nearly 50,000 square meters and has an annual production capacity of more than 10,000 weighing machines. Its product portfolio covers configurations from 1 head to 32 heads, with a wide range of models designed for different products, target weights, speeds and application requirements.

Kenwei's weighing equipment is used across more than 30 industries and has been supplied to customers in over 100 countries and regions. Through long-term cooperation with customers and partners worldwide, Kenwei continues to develop its expertise in automated weighing and packaging applications.

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Looking Toward the Future

After more than three decades of development, China's multihead weighing industry has made significant progress in manufacturing capabilities, product development and international market expansion.

Looking ahead, technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and industrial data connectivity are expected to further influence the development of weighing and packaging equipment. Intelligent weight compensation, production data integration, MES connectivity and remote equipment monitoring are among the technologies that can help manufacturers improve production efficiency and equipment management.

As an active participant in the industry, Kenwei will continue to invest in R&D and improve its weighing technologies and solutions. By focusing on accuracy, efficiency, reliability and intelligent automation, Kenwei aims to provide practical weighing and packaging solutions for customers around the world and contribute to the continued development of advanced manufacturing.

2026 Technology Trends in Multihead Weighing and Automated Portion Packaging: How Businesses Can Capture the Next Growth Window