Choosing the right portioning machine is a strategic decision for every dairy or cheese processing company. A machine that suits your needs directly affects production costs, efficiency, finished product quality, and customer satisfaction.
An often underestimated fact? The payback period: a new machine can pay for itself in less than a year, thanks to waste reduction and increased productivity.
Let's look at the 5 fundamental criteria for choosing the most suitable portioning machine for your cheese production.
1) Type and Shape of Products to be Portioned
The first factor to consider is the shape and consistency of the cheese. There are specific machines for round products and others for rectangular blocks.
Key questions to ask yourself:
- Do you work with round shapes, rectangular shapes, or large blocks?
- Are your cheeses hard, semi-hard, fresh, or blue-veined?
- Do you want to use the same machine for products of very different sizes?
If production is standardized, you can choose a high-performance and less expensive machine. However, if you need flexibility, you'll need to consider a larger investment.
2) Productivity
Speed is crucial: every company must define its goals in kg/hour or portions/minute.
- Up to 20 pieces/minute → manual or pneumatic machines are sufficient.
- Over 20 pieces/minute → semi-automatic or automatic machines are needed.
Remember: productivity must also be balanced with the packaging system, which must handle the portioning machine's volumes.
3) Cutting Precision and Waste Reduction
When selling at fixed weight, cutting precision is vital. Even a few grams of difference can generate thousands of euros in losses per year.
The most advanced solutions include:
- 3D scanning systems → map the wheel profile to calculate optimal cutting.
- Ultrasonic cutting technology → ensures clean cuts, reduces burrs, and improves yield, especially with soft or sticky cheeses.
With these technologies, up to 99% of portions perfectly on target can be achieved.
4) Safety and Hygiene
Quick and safe cleaning is an essential requirement. A machine with hygienic design reduces downtime and contamination risk.
Features to look for:
- AISI 304 or 316 stainless steel structure.
- Smooth finishes to facilitate drainage and sanitization.
- Open design, with fewer points where residue can accumulate.
- Mandatory CE certification.
5) Technical Assistance and Supplier Support
The real cost of a machine isn't just the purchase, but also the management of downtime. That's why after-sales support is crucial.
Always verify:
- Service responsiveness and spare parts availability.
- Staff training for use and routine maintenance.
- Possibility to update control software (HMI) to maintain high efficiency over time.
The Real Advantage: less Waste, more Profit
Many entrepreneurs think the main benefit of a portioning machine is staff reduction. In reality, the most significant impact comes from three aspects:
- Waste reduction
- Lower give-away (overweight given to the customer)
- Sales growth in the fixed-weight segment, which ensures higher margins.
Practical Example
Imagine selling cheese in fixed-weight portions of 200g per package.
- With an imprecise cutting system, each portion comes out with an average of +5g overweight.
- This means that for 10,000 packages, you're giving away 50 kg of product.
If the cheese has an average cost of €10/kg, you're losing €500 in just one batch. On an annual basis, this figure can exceed tens of thousands of euros.
With a machine equipped with 3D scanning technology and ultrasonic cutting, precision reaches 99% of portions at target weight. This way:
- Waste is reduced to almost zero.
- Give-away is drastically reduced.
- Every package meets legal tolerances, protecting you from disputes and recalls.
The Commercial Impact
Beyond savings, there's an additional competitive advantage: the ability to grow in the fixed-weight segment.
- Consumers prefer standard packages (e.g., 150g, 200g, 500g) because they're easier to compare.
- Retail chains favor suppliers who can guarantee fixed weight with high precision, opening access to larger and more profitable contracts.
In other words: less waste, higher margins, and new market opportunities.
Why Choose Facchinetti Tech
For over 50 years, Facchinetti has been designing and manufacturing portioning machines for cheese and complete lines, developed to meet the needs of artisanal dairies and large industrial operations.
Our solutions include:
- Manual machines with quick and easy format changes.
- Automatic lines capable of exceeding 100 portions/minute.
- Advanced technologies such as ultrasonic cutting and 3D profile scanning, enabling up to 99% of portions to hit the target weight.
Every machine is built with AISI 304 or AISI 316 stainless steel, meeting the highest hygiene and safety standards, and is CE certified and UL-CSA certifiable for the international market.
We don’t just offer machines—we provide comprehensive 360° support:
- Commissioning and training for your staff directly on site.
- Fast, qualified service, with remote or on-site interventions.
- Global presence, with headquarters in Italy and operational offices in Germany and Eastern Europe, plus a distributor network in the United States and Brazil.
👉 Choosing Facchinetti means opting for reliability, innovation, and ongoing support throughout the entire machine lifecycle.
📩 Would you like a technical consultation or a custom quote? Contact us at info@facchinettitech.com
