Last Updated on January 18, 2024 by Flavia Calina
Mixers are used in various industries to mix different substances into homogeneous products. Some use gravity, rotation, pressure, or shear to blend materials.
When purchasing industrial mixers and blenders, there are a few important considerations to remember.
Motor Power
Don’t be tempted to buy a higher horsepower model than you need when looking for a mixer. Mixer companies rate their products differently; more motor power doesn’t necessarily mean more powerful mixing. What matters is the mixer’s ability to deliver torque to the material.
Torque is the rotational force that causes the impeller to push on the fluid and perform the actual mixing. The higher the viscosity of the material, the more torque will be needed.
Air motors can load torque dynamically, handling heavier mixes that other industrial mixers can’t. However, air motors don’t operate as quickly or smoothly as electric motors. For those who need a quick and precise mix, it is recommended to choose an industrial mixer with an electric motor. Electric motors are also more energy efficient than air motors, which can help you save money in the long run. If you’re looking for a high-efficiency option, consider a brushless DC (BLDC) motor.
Drive System
When choosing a mixer, it’s important to consider the drive system. This will impact how fast the agitator can spin. If a mixer can’t handle the amount of torque required to mix the product adequately, it will be less reliable and may require more frequent repairs.
Industrial mixers blend various materials, including food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, and minerals. They utilize different forces, such as gravity, rotation, shear, and pressure, to mix these materials to create a uniform mixture.
A common drive system for industrial mixers is a gear or belt and pulley drive. A gear drive offers a constant motor speed, while a belt and pulley system uses a series of expandable and contracting belts to change mixer speed. Variable frequency drives (VFD) offer a more efficient and reliable way to control a mixer while also providing significant cost savings in the long run.
Motor Design
A variety of motor types can power a quality industrial mixer. Choosing the right motor type depends on your size and portability needs, speed control options, noise level and energy efficiency, and cost considerations. Electric induction, BLDC, and universal motors can all serve as industrial mixer motors.
Mixer shaft stresses are primarily due to a force that must be transmitted to the impeller. The fluid influences these mechanical forces and can result from improperly mounting the mixer in the tank, drum, or tote.
A flexible or weak mounting can cause vibrations that increase shaft loads and accelerate seal failures. It can also decrease the first natural frequency of the mixer shaft, which can lead to critical speed problems not considered in the original design. These mechanical factors are why choosing a sturdy, durable mount for your mixer is important. Several mount types are available for tanks, drums, and totes, including bridge, clamp, plate, flange, and pedestal.
Capacity
Mixers are used to combine and homogenize a variety of solids, liquids, and gases. They also prevent agglomeration, catalyze reactions, and dissolve materials. They are powerful machines that can handle a substantial amount of products simultaneously.
However, many factors influence a mixer’s performance. Incorrectly selecting or using a mixer for an application can damage the equipment or inconsistent recipe blends.
The capacity of a mixer is influenced by the mixing bowl size, the motor’s power, and the speed settings. Additionally, a mixer can be equipped with different accessories to enhance its capabilities. These include heaters, coolers, programmable instrumentation, liners, and a granulator. These additional features are particularly useful when mixing a variety of round products or a mixture with a high viscosity. They can reduce blending times and allow you to mix more batches in a single shift. This can save you time, labor, and money over the long term. Read more exciting articles on Today World Info
