A mixer uniformly blends particles and materials of different sizes, bulk density, and moisture content to attain perfect mixing in which any sample taken from the resultant mixture should have exactly a similar composition. The size of the mixer depends on the production level, ration density, group size as well as the frequency of mixer usage.
Mixing of the materials takes place through rotating the mixer blades at very high speed and movement of the material or mixture from the mixer centre and back to the different walls. A blade that has been specially curved facilitates gentle mixing while avoiding the possibility of breakage. It also enables better mixing of the materials. Due to their versatility and compact size, vertical mixers are widely used in diverse industries like construction, feedstuffs, glass, ceramics, and bulk materials homogenising or coating.
Today’s construction industry increasingly requires short mixing times and consistent homogeneity for the production of precast/pre-stressed concrete and ready-mix concrete. This has led to the refinement of technologies used in concrete mixing. Today, vertical axis mixers are widely used for preparing precast and heavy-duty pre-stressed concrete.
A concrete mixer homogeneously combines different components cement like gravel, sand, and water in forming concrete. A standard concrete mixer from STB Engineering utilises a revolving drum for mixing the components. Because this variety of mixer cleans quite well between batches, it is highly popular for coloured concrete. It is also useful when you are employing smaller or multiple discharge points.
This type of mixer employs the vertical auger mixing methodology. Its strength lies in its versatility when it comes to mixing and processing the broadest variety of feedstuffs. It will work well for small grains, concentrates, round/square bales, short-cut forages, baleage, and other types of difficult materials. It works best when used in rations with higher forage content or percentages of very dry hay.
The aggressive mixing and processing activity of this mixer can be managed with the number of knives on the mixer augers and the location of the hay stops. Bulky materials such as large square or round bales should be loaded first to be processed prior to adding concentrates and short-cut forages to the mix. The STB Engineering mixer design is very low maintenance, simple, and dependable. Many customers prefer this vertically-oriented mixer when they want ration flexibility, particularly when they have to feed higher percentages of either round bales or dry hay.
The rapid developments being witnessed in ceramic-based composites and technical ceramics has pushed manufacturers into seeking new and better production methods. The strength, performance, and durability of speciality composites and ceramics have a direct correlation to the mixing. Although diverse products will differ in their handling, forming and the finishing, at the core of the process, is the procedure used in mixing.
Dry materials are usually introduced through the top and other required ingredients may be added without having to interrupt the mixing cycle. Options exist for injecting paste additives or liquid into the mix either through the tank bottom or top.
The vertical mixer is best suited for coating, mixing, and homogenising bulk materials as well as for evaporating suspensions. The different processes could be as simple as the mixing of cellulose powders typically used in the cellulose industry, wine additives mixing in the food technology sector, zeolites homogenising performed in the chemical-based industries, or in the conditioning of iron powder using additives employed in diverse metallurgic applications.
For the drying vertical mixer variant, the field may range from mercury evaporating and amino acid drying through to calcination of boron nitride.
With lots of mixers available in the market, it requires that buyers first determine their particular needs, carry out research on available types, and then match the features of the mixer to those specific needs.
In selecting and using your mixer, safety should always be a priority. For example, a metal ladder or steps should be used for climbing up the unit for inspection and for safe mixer filling. Any open-top mixers must have grates to avert accidental falling into a mixer that is running.
Always remember that the mixer blades will chop whatever they come into contact with such as loose dressings. Before using vertical mixers, ensure you have familiarised yourself with their safety and operating manual.