Semi-automatic filling
Useful for flexible production, shorter runs and packs that are difficult to feed automatically. The operator cycle is part of the output test and the pack must not touch or load the weighing assembly.
250 g to 2 kg planning range
Retail-pack weigh filling for 250 g to 2 kg packs.
A practical guide to specifying common retail and food-service pack weights where product volume, refill stability, pack handling and the required automation level determine the best route.
Weight range, product volume and the pack cycle must be assessed together.
Retail-pack weights are common for coffee, rice, pulses, pet food, snacks, dry ingredients, seeds, crystals, pellets and hardware, but products at the same target weight can occupy very different volumes. A light bulky product may need more hopper and discharge volume than a dense granule, while fragile pieces may limit drop height and feed intensity.
The shortlist should also reflect whether an operator presents each pack, whether a premade pouch system is required, or whether the line forms bags from roll film. The required accepted output is the complete finished-pack rate, including product refill, weighing, pack presentation, sealing, coding, inspection and removal.
Specification checks
- Measure bulk density or provide the product volume at the smallest and largest target.
- Confirm whether the pack is hand-presented, automatically opened or formed from film.
- State accepted finished packs per minute or hour, not an isolated feeder speed.
- Provide normal product, pack and film samples for the trial.
Machine route
How should 250 g to 2 kg packs be automated?
Use product and pack evidence to choose the route before comparing individual machine configurations.
Linear or vibratory weighing
A practical route for free-flowing granules, seeds, coffee, rice, pellets and regular pieces. Hopper refill and product depth should remain controlled so that coarse and fine feed settings stay repeatable.
Multihead weighing
Often considered for irregular pieces, fragile foods or higher output. Several partial weights create combinations close to target, but the product distribution system and downstream packer must support the required cycle.
Integrated VFFS bagging
Suitable where weighing, bag forming, filling and sealing should operate as one automatic line. Production film, bag length, sealing dwell, coding, product drop and outfeed can all set the stable rate.
Selection factors
Which variables change the machine choice?
Test the factors that can change a stable laboratory result into an unstable production cycle.
Bulk density and hopper volume
The required weight must fit the weighing and discharge path. Test the most voluminous target and include normal variation in density or aeration.
Product refill pattern
Hopper level can change feeder behaviour. A useful trial includes refill and low-level operation instead of running only from a freshly loaded hopper.
Pack support and mouth width
Flexible pouches, paper bags, jars and tubs need different support. The pack opening must receive the full dose without touching the weigh system or contaminating a later seal.
Changeover and cleaning
Several products or pack sizes can justify recipe control, accessible contact parts, documented reassembly and first-off verification after changeover.
Verified references
Verified Lancing reference routes within this planning band.
The usable result must be confirmed with representative product and packs. The figures below are reference conditions already documented on the corresponding model pages.
| Route | How to use the reference |
|---|---|
| LU-3000C semi-automatic route | Reference range 20–3000 g and published output reference approximately 6–15 fills/minute, dependent on product, target, pack presentation and operator handling. Open the supporting page |
| LU-999 compact route | Reference range 10–999 g for suitable free-flowing dry products, subject to available volume and a trial. It can be considered for the lower part of this pack band. Open the supporting page |
| LU-GFKL420 multihead VFFS route | Ten-head reference configuration covering 10–2500 g, with the cited application at 500 g to 1 kg. Product distribution, film and sealing determine the line result. Open the supporting page |
Acceptance evidence
Test weight control and the real pack-handling bottleneck.
A useful trial covers the smallest, routine and largest targets with normal hopper refill. Run the real bag, pouch, jar or tub and include the normal operator or automatic handling cycle. Record accepted packs, rejects, spills, retained product, seal contamination and any manual intervention.
For weight evidence, use a controlled tare and a suitable reference scale. Report consecutive net weights, mean, sample standard deviation, minimum, maximum, range and any result outside the acceptance band. Separately record the sustained accepted output over a defined period.
Information needed for a useful quotation.
- Product name, sample, photographs and bulk density or volume.
- Smallest, normal and largest target weights.
- Pouch, bag, jar or tub dimensions and closure or seal method.
- Required accepted output and shift pattern.
- Operator duties and preferred automation level.
- Hopper loading, ceiling height, floor space and service access.
- Coding, metal detection, checkweighing and outfeed requirements.