How Industrial Blenders Work
Aside from the blender that sits on your kitchen counter, industrial blenders are much larger and have been specially designed and constructed to fulfill specialized tasks. They blend solids and diverse mixtures, including granules, powders, sticky pastes, and abrasive materials.
These machines can reduce particle size, complete chemical reactions, change the flow of the materials, and dissolve components. But how do these machines achieve this?
The Shaft
Industrial blenders are designed to operate on a larger scale than the small personal blenders used at home to make shakes and smoothies. There are various shapes and sizes of these items, but what they all have in common is a main shaft that rotates and can endure high temperatures.
These large blenders are often found in scientific contexts, such as manufacturing plants for chemical compounds and medications. Once pharmacologists decide on the precise reaction they need to produce, for instance, a medication pill, they program these large blenders to facilitate this breakdown and reaction on a much larger scale.
Another type of industrial blender is the ribbon blender, which features a horizontal trough with a shaft through the middle that has mixing blades in a double-helix design. These large industrial blenders use rotary seals to prevent unwanted product leakage from inside the trough, which could result in costly machine failure and product contamination. This could lead to product recalls and safety inspections, as well as unnecessary costs for the business.
The Paddles
The paddles of an industrial blender are typically made from a solid material that can withstand heavy-duty use. They also must withstand high temperatures since the mixer will often operate at temperatures up to 212°F.
The paddles rotate back and forth, creating shearing forces against the material. This shearing process breaks down the materials, reducing their particle size and creating a uniform product.
This type of industrial mixer can be used for liquids and dry or bulk materials, depending on the specific application. It’s perfect for tasks requiring gentle blending, like coating nuts or mixing items in potato salad. It also excels at creating deliberate swirls, such as the caramel ribbons running through ice cream or colored swirls in concrete or stucco.
These paddle-type mixers can be custom-built to meet specific requirements. They can be supplied with various options, including air-purged mechanical seals and high-performance sanitary valves for demanding applications. They can also be configured with optional PLC recipe controls to enhance batch-to-batch consistency and enable data logging.
The Arms
Industrial blenders can handle a variety of materials, including liquids, granules, and powders. They also help to break down and combine metals. This process, called blending, helps to create a single material with the advantages and properties of each metal.
Blenders are an essential part of manufacturing production. They allow people to calculate the correct proportions of a product and scale them up to produce it at a larger volume.
Commercial bar blenders are designed to make large quantities of smoothies and frozen drinks quickly and efficiently. They feature a large jar with multiple servings and blades that are easy to clean. They are usually made of stainless steel or glass and can include graded measurements to ensure consistency.
A jar fits snugly over the blender’s hub and is secured with a lid. It’s essential to exercise caution with this feature to prevent accidents such as dropping or spilling the contents. Safety is key.
The Control Panels
In addition to the simple on-and-off switch with most industrial blenders, technical controls allow for greater control. This is particularly useful when preparing specific drinks or materials that need to meet stringent production stipulations, such as in the pharmaceutical industry. These specialized tools prepare emulsions, reduce particle size, complete chemical reactions, change the flow of materials, and dissolve components.
Some types of controls include dials and paddle switches. Others have electronic display units that are more intuitive to read and use than traditional toggle switches. This control system also enables users to create pre-programmed settings for the unit.
Industrial blenders can be used for both wet and dry materials. One way to combine metals is through a blending process that breaks down their molecular structure. This results in a single material that has the benefits and properties of each metal. This is known as metallurgical blending.
