The Benefits of a Vacuum Mixer
Vacuum mixers allow you to mix materials in vacuum conditions that limit oxygen and prevent bubble formation. They can also help reduce oxidation, which can cause certain materials to degrade over time.
This UL/CSA approved Compact dual-shaft planetary vacuum mixer is ideal for mixing dental plaster, investments, phosphates and ceramic materials. It can also be used to prepare lithium battery anode paste and cathode material vacuum slurry.
Vacuum Environments
Vacuum environments accomplish a number of mixing goals that vary from application to application. For some products, such as coatings, personal care products and molded composites, the vacuum environment creates a smooth, void-free mixture that improves aesthetics, increases durability and contributes to the strength of the product. For other products, such as beverages and food ingredients, the vacuum environment minimizes oxygen content to prevent decomposition of sensitive ingredients or microbial growth.
Many laboratories in the chemistry, physics and high tech field use vacuum to perform experiments without interference from known contaminants. They also rely on vacuum mixer vacuum for accurate predictions of gas behavior because gases tend to behave more predictably when pressure is reduced.
A vacuum mixer removes air bubbles from a mixture and thoroughly homogenizes the product, which improves the performance of certain materials in applications like bone cement and dental impression material. These cements tend to fail if they contain air bubbles or are not properly mixed. Using a vacuum mixer prevents air bubble formation and thoroughly mixes the ingredients, so they will not fail in their intended medical application.
Other common uses of a vacuum mixer include mixing battery anode and cathode materials and ceramic slurry. These applications require a vacuum mixing machine that is capable of working under low temperatures and with very little air bubbles. It is important that the machine be easy to operate, reliable and able to withstand a vacuum of -98kpa.
Vacuum Mixer Blades
Vacuum mixers can come in a variety of designs to meet specific industrial needs. They can be equipped with blade-type agitators or high-shear homogenizers. The latter can handle high viscosity materials and can achieve fast mixing and emulsification in a short duration of time. It can also be used to eliminate voids in a mixture, degassing, and enhance drying at lower temperatures.
The machine can also have scrapers that can be used to remove the material that is stuck on the inner surface of the mixer. This can also help prevent dead corners. It is a multi-function machine that can be utilized for a number of applications in the medical and food industry. It can be used to emulsify lotions, lipstick, soaps, and detergents. It can also be used in the pharmaceutical industry to process ointments, oral syrups, and latex.
In addition to this, the machine can also be used in other industries to emulsify polyesters and synthetic fibers, saponification products, oil paint, and dyes. This can be useful in petrochemical, printing and dyeing auxiliaries, paper, pesticides and fertilizers, and power electronics industries.
A vacuum mixer is a device that allows the operator to mix compounds in a controlled environment to limit excess air and prevent bubble formation. These devices are available from a number of companies that provide equipment for scientific research, food service and medical use.
Vacuum Pumps
A vacuum mixer is used to mix, emulsify or homogenize materials in an environment of low pressure. This is a useful process for pharmaceutical ingredients, powders, food ingredients and industrial coating applications that require low drying temperatures. Vacuum mixing can be done using various mixing attachments including an emulsifying head and a rotary blender.
Different types of pumps are used for different levels of vacuum, from low to high to ultra-high (see the table below). Determining what type of pump is required can be a complicated task, with factors like pumping pressure ranges, speed, gas type application, pump size, life expectancy and more influencing the final selection. Anderson Process can help you simplify this selection process with expert knowledge, a vast pump and equipment inventory and full engineering capabilities if a custom solution is required.
Rotary vane pumps are ideal for low to medium vacuum applications such as industrial and research activities, vacuum impregnation and freeze drying. These pumps use oil to seal internal components, transfer heat away from surfaces and inhibit corrosion. The oil is filtered to remove particulates and condensable vapors from the process before being added to the pump.
Rotary lobe pumps have two symmetrical, two-lobe rotors mounted in parallel on separate shafts that rotate at high speeds and are connected by timing belts. The rotors work mixer manufacturer independently to create a vacuum by moving a large volume of working fluid between the lobes. The liquid trapped between the rotors is compressed and forms a ring around the working chamber that traps air molecules. The rotors continue to rotate, pushing the working fluid through the ring in a process known as molecular flow.
Safety
In a processing world where toxic chemicals, dusty powders, and flammable solvents are used, safety is of the utmost importance. Many accidents and equipment failures can be prevented through proper training, good housekeeping, and routine maintenance. This includes keeping the mixing area clean, reducing noise levels and keeping dangerous materials out of reach.
Mixing under vacuum eliminates unsightly voids in the final product, improves dispersal quality and shortens process times. It also reduces foaming, prevents air entrapment and allows for subsurface addition of raw materials. Vacuum mixers are ideal for mixing, distributing, homogenizing, emulsifying, and aspirating very dense and viscous materials.
A vacuum emulsifying mixer can also be used to inject liquid active ingredients into powder agglomerates. The fine vacuum of the mixing system removes air from the pores of the filler agglomerates, and the liquid active ingredient is then injected through the holes of the agglomerates.
During operation, it is important to remember that the mixer is operating under high speeds and pressures, and the blades are rotating at a fast speed. For this reason, it is critical to wear protective gear and follow all safety precautions when using a vacuum mixer. For example, it is recommended to tie back long hair and clothing and avoid dangling jewelry. Loose items can wrap around the rotating blades and cause injury. It is also important to use dust extraction equipment, as flour particles can contaminate the air and make breathing difficult.