Buying Guide

Multihead Weigher vs Volumetric Cup vs Auger Filler: Choosing FFS Dosing

How multihead weighers, volumetric cups and auger fillers compare for form-fill-seal dosing — accuracy, speed and which product each one suits.

By Global Machinery Hub · Published August 27, 2026 · 2 min read

The dosing system inside a form-fill-seal machine determines both weight accuracy and which products the line can run. Three options cover most food applications: the multihead weigher (weighs each dose), the volumetric cup (measures by volume) and the auger filler (screws out powder).

Multihead weigher

Multiple weigh heads combine partial doses to hit a target weight with high accuracy, then release into the bag. It is the standard for high-value, high-speed snack and confectionery lines.

  • Examples: Ishida CCW multihead weighers paired with its VFFS bagmakers; tna intelli-weigh integrated with robag baggers.
  • Accuracy: highest of the three — the dose is weighed, not estimated.
  • Speed: keeps pace with continuous/rotary baggers — e.g. a Dession VFFS with multihead weigher runs 30–70 bags/min.

Volumetric cup

A rotating cup fills a fixed volume, so every dose is the same size. It is simple and inexpensive but only accurate for free-flowing, uniform products.

  • Best for: granules, seeds and uniform powders where density is stable.
  • Limit: no weighing — density changes shift the actual weight.

Auger filler

A rotating screw meters powder by controlled turns. It suits fine, dusty or bridging powders that a volumetric cup cannot handle.

  • Examples: Landpack doypack machines with auger dosing for milk powder, coffee, spices and flour.
  • Best for: fine powders needing tight weight control in stick packs, sachets and premade pouches.

How to choose

If your product is high-value and you must hit a legal net weight at speed, choose a multihead weigher. If it is a free-flowing granule and cost matters more than precision, a volumetric cup may be enough. If it is a fine or bridging powder, an auger filler is the tool for the job.

Last verified: August 25, 2026.