The growth of consumerism has led manufacturers to improve their services and products. Thus, industrial mixers are utilized by manufacturers. For the thriving industries, having an industrial mixing machine is one of the critical components to provide efficient, high-quality, and uniformed products.
Applications of industrial mixing are found in plastic, chemical, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. These mixers blend or mix ingredients to produce a homogenous product. There are different types of industrial mixer machines, and its use depends on the materials, mixing process, and the application.
An example of an industrial mixing machine is a laboratory mixer.
An Overview to Laboratory Mixers
Just like any other mixer machine, a laboratory mixer is used for mixing, homogenizing, disintegrating, emulsifying, and dissolving ingredients and samples to produce a high-quality end product. The most common type of laboratory mixer is the magnetic stirrer.
Lab mixers have magnetic stirrers that enable the magnetic bar inside the vessel or tube to stir the liquid. The stirring speed depends on the type of stirrer the machine has. Moreover, these mixer machines have microprocessors that maintain constant temperature and speed. The microprocessors are controlled through a turn knob, and it allows the user to adjust the machine in a quick yet precise way easily.
Specifications of a Laboratory Mixer
- Range of speed (measured in rpm)
- Viscosity range (measured in cps)
- Vessel capacity (measured in L or gal)
- Temperature control (measured in W)
- Methods of introduction
Features of a Laboratory Mixer
- Video display
- Programmable mixers
- Handheld mixers
- Control
You need to have an overview of the machine to choose the right laboratory mixer. Moreover, it’s necessary to analyze its performance specifications and features to visualize more of the industrial laboratory mixer machine that you need.
Types of Laboratory Mixers
The mixing process is a complex operation that needs the right kind of laboratory mixer to produce consistently high-quality products. The type of laboratory mixer depends on the particular application manufacturers produce.
High Shear Laboratory Mixer Machine
The high shear laboratory mixer enables transportation and dispersion of ingredients in different phases into a continuous period. The machine concentrates on the elements that are generally not immiscible.
It is the type of laboratory mixer machine that is used for the production of chemicals, foods, plastics, adhesives, and medicines. The rotor, stator, and other parts inside the mixer help create suspensions, granules, aerosols, and emulsions, which are the characteristics of food, medicines, adhesions, and the like.
Multi-functional Laboratory Mixers
It is the type of laboratory mixer used to mix, homogenize, dissolve, disintegrate, and emulsify ingredients.
The multi-functional laboratory mixer assists in mixing different substances to produce a homogenous material. Moreover, it can blend ingredients in a different element to make a uniform solution of non-soluble liquids.
It is also used to produce a consistent solution by incorporating a solid ingredient into a liquid mixture. Meanwhile, the machine can also assist you in breaking the elements in tiny units. Nonetheless, the multi-functional mixer can mix immiscible liquids to create an emulsion.
Vortex Mixer (or Vortexer)
The vortex mixer mixes small vials of liquids, and it spins in a vertical orientation with its electric motor and driveshaft. Operators use this lab mixer for mixing reagents of assays or for the suspension of cells.
Magnetic Stirrers
As mentioned, the magnetic stirrer is the most common laboratory mixer. It is an efficient and quiet one. It only uses a magnetic field to make the magnetic bar stir and create a fine mixture. Magnetic stirrers are made to immerse materials in a liquid, and quickly stir and spin to finely mix a solution.
Ribbon Mixer
It is a large mixer that has horizontal U-shape troughs with a unique ribbon agitator. It has an outer helical ribbon agitator and an inner helical agitator. The materials move in one direction with the inner ribbon, while the external ribbon moves the elements in the opposite direction. The speed range of these ribbons is at a specific speed that ensures a fine and uniform mixture.
Laboratory Conical Mixer
You can mix ingredients with different elements in the laboratory conical mixer. Bulk solids and powders that have a sensitive nature are homogenized with this lab mixer. One of the advantages of the conical mixer is its energy efficiency.
Quick Guide in Selecting the Right Laboratory Mixer
Without a doubt, the engineers and customer service representatives of the industrial mixing machines will gladly assist you. They will help you choose the right lab mixer for your application. However, you also need to help them by providing them the following information:
- The minimum and maximum amount of batch volume
- Dimension and geometry of the vessel
- Properties of the materials being used
- Desired process outcome
- Description of the mixing process
- The sequence of the ingredient addition
Moreover, choosing the right industrial mixer manufacturer is also a key factor. Ginhong is one of the leading manufacturers of industrial mixers. They even offer mixers with an advanced mixing technology to serve best the pharmaceutical industries.
Conclusion
The industrial mixing machine is the key component for manufacturers to keep up with consumerism. It helps manufacturers provide high-quality products at a higher production rate. Laboratory mixer is one of the mixing machines that enable the production of high-quality and uniform products. You need to have a concise overview of its features, specifications, and types to have an idea which lab mixer machine is suitable for the company.