New high-speed weigher for food manufacturing

High-speed weighing of convenience meals, nuts and confectionery products is the idea behind the new 36-head, multi-head weigher from Ishida Europe.

The CCW-R-236 weigher handles and mixes up to eight different products at a top speed of 360 weightments per minute for a single product.

Precision weighing saves costs, by avoiding over-filling, and is said to produce packs with consistent weight. An Ishida spokesman told FoodManufacture.co.uk: “Tighter pack weight means the consumer gets what he or she expects. It also means the pack appearance is consistent as under- and over-filled bags do not look good.”

More predictable flow

The weigher features the company’s R series technology and pulse width modulation. According to a statement: “This ensures a controlled and more predictable flow of product through the machine. The combination calculation software, five-stage digital filter, anti-floor vibration and Ishida-made load cells enable the weigher to maintain excellent accuracy at these high speeds.”

Ishida also offers 28- head, 24-head and 18-head models to suit customers’ budgets, required mix applications and target speeds.

All models have small (500cm3 – 1,500cm3) hoppers which are said to allow the precise weighing of small products and applications with small target weights which are well suited to the confectionery sector.

The configuration of the weigh hopper allows product to drop gently through the weigher with minimal drop distances. This is claimed to minimise product damage and to increase product quality without significantly compromising weighing speed.

Models can be configured to typical confectionery applications, such as mix weighing of multiple components before releasing them in one single discharge.

Multiple outlets

Alternatively, they can be configured for multiple outlets which allow the simultaneous discharge of a number of identical target weights, for example, the weighing of sugar pastilles into small tins or cartons.

Available worldwide, the price of the 36-head weigher depends on specification.

The spokesman said: “The 36-head is brand new and still in its final stage of commercialisation. Models with fewer heads – 28, 24, and 18 – have been sold for various confectionery and snack food applications.”