Paste Mixers

How to Select

Choosing a Laboratory Paste Mixer can be a difficult task for even the most experienced mixologist. The choice of a mixer can depend on many factors including the batch volume desired, heat transfer requirements of the raw materials, shear rate sensitivity, viscosity and flowablility of the product, physical size of raw materials, price of the mixer, material handling considerations, and more!

Choices abound and include:
1. Dual Shaft Mixers - a high speed dispersion blade combined with a slow speed anchor for medium viscosity products up to ~ 1,000,000 cps.
2. Triple Shaft Mixers - a combination of a high speed dispersion blade, a slow speed anchor agitator and a high shear rotor/stator mixer for medium viscosity products up to ~ 1,000,000 cps.
3. Double Planetary Mixers - the perfect choice for powders that require gentle blending and pastes up to 8,000,000 cps.
4. Planetary Disperser when a high speed disperser and a powerful high viscosity paste mixer are needed, this combination is the best possible choice
5. Kneader Extruder this mixer has the capability to mix and extrude, all in one mixer, the highest viscosity materials. The kneading blades provide high energy dispersion capabilities

The final decision of a mixer for your application requirements is best made after running product in our "Test and Development Center". .The test center is equipped with all of our equipment, in a range of benchtop and production sizes. Once the test is completed, the materials can be instantly evaluated using our "Analytical Lab" to determine the actual results of your test runs.

Double Planetary Overview

Double Planetary Mix Pattern

Double Planetary Mixer (shown with high viscosity blades)
The Double Planetary Mixer includes two blades that rotate on their own axes, while they orbit the mix vessel on a common axis. The blades continuously advance along the periphery of the vessel, removing material from the vessel wall and transporting it to the interior. After one revolution the blades have passed through the entire vessel, after three revolutions most materials have been mixed and after only 36 revolutions, the blades have contacted virtually the entire batch.

Our most popular sizes for Laboratory Double Planetary Mixers include half pint, 1 pint, 1 quart, and 1-5 gallons. For Production size models, visit Planetarymixers.com

The Double Planetary Mixer is great for paste materials up to 8 million cps. It is also used for tablet granulations, drying, and dry powder blends of friable-shear sensitive materials. Several agitator blade choices are available including the rectangular and high viscosity designs.

Double Planetary Photos

Double Planetary Mixer - 1/2 Pint Capacity

DPM 1/2 Pint
1/2 Pint Model - includes vacuum construction, a jacketed mix vessel & a charge port in hood.

 Double Planetary Mixer - 1 Quart Mixing Capacity

DPM 1 Quart
This vacuum model includes "HV" mixing blades that are ceramic coated. Full controls to operate the mixer are conveniently built in to the frame

Double Planetary Mixer - 2 Gallon Mixing Capacity

DPM 2 Gallon on Bench
This vacuum model includes "HV" mixing blades, a bench, vacuum pump and a full control console.

 Double Planetary Mixer - Sanitary Design

DPM 2 Sanitary
A 2 gallon sanitary design with all contact surfaces of 316 stainless steel. Includes caster wheels on can, special valve, controls and more.

Double Planetary Mixer - 2 Gallon Sanitary Design

DPM 1 Quart
A 1 quart capacity model with controls and a mix can that raises up to the fixed vacuuum hood.

 Double Planetary Mixer - 1 Pint Mixing Capacity

DPM 1/2 Pint
This 1/2 pint vacuum mixer includes a variable speed drive and a reverse lift to raise mix vessel to hood, light in the hood and a sight/charge port..

Planetary Disperser

Planetary Disperser - Mixing Pattern

The patented PowerMix* combines a planetary blade and a high speed dispersion blade. Both agitators are in constant motion. The planetary and the high speed disperser blades rotate on their own axes and also rotate continuously around the vessel. The planetary blade feeds materials directly into the high shear zone of the orbiting high speed disperser. This combination of unique mixing actions combine to eliminate the need for multiple mixers that one machine can accomplish.

Our most popular sizes for Laboratory Planetary Dispersers include 1 quart, half gallon, and 1-5 gallons. For Production size models, visit Mixers.com

Both agitators are independently variable speed to permit users to fine tune the speeds to the process at hand. The PowerMix is available in sizes from 1/2 through 750 gallons and can be supplied with many options such as vacuum/pressure, jacketed vessels, etc. * Patent No. 4,697,929

Planetary Disperser - 2 Gallon Capacity

PDM 2 Gallon Standard
This 2 gallon model is designed for vacuum operation, includes full controls, a high speed dispersion blade and an "HV" planetary blade.

 Sanitary Planetary Disperser - 2 Gallon Capacity

PDM 2 Sanitary with Discharge System
A 2 gallon sanitary model with an integrated discharge system on a common bench. The mix can is on wheels for easy of movment to the discharge press.

Planetary Disperser & Discharge System - 4 Gallon Mixing Capacity

PDM 4 & Discharge System
The system includes a bench, built in vacuum pump and heat transfer system..
Dual Shaft Mixer - Mix Pattern

Dual Shaft Mixer
The Dual Shaft Mixer includes an Anchor agitator and a High Speed Disperser. The anchor feeds product into the high speed disperser blade and ensures that the mixture is constantly in motion. The anchor can be provided with scrapers to remove materials from the interior vessel walls to enhance the heat transfer capabilities of the mixer. Both agitators are available for variable speed operation.

Our most popular sizes for Dual Shaft Mixers include 1, 2 and 4 gallons. For Production size models, visit Mixers.com

A second high speed dispersion mixer can also be added for increased shear. Multiple blades on each of the disperser shafts can also provide added mixing.

Dual Shaft Mixer - 2 Gallon Capacity

CDA 2 Gallon-Front View
This 2 gallon capacity Dual Shaft Mixer includes vacuum design and a jacketed mix vessel.

 Dual Shaft Mixer - 2 Gallon Capacity

CDA 2 Gallon-Side View
This view highlights the control panel, a variable speed drive and a reverse lift to raise mix vessel to hood.
Triple Shaft Mixer (VersaMix) Mixing Pattern

Triple Shaft Mixer
Our Triple Shaft designs are largely built to meet the specific requirements of each customer. The triple shaft design includes

  • Three Wing Anchor Agitator - moves materials in axial and radial motions and feeds viscous/non-flowing materials into the high speed blades
  • High Speed Disperser- this conventional disk design is used for dispersion of materials up to approx. 75,000 cps.
  • A high shear rotor-stator mixer or a second high speed disperser. The addition of a high shear rotor-stator mixer adds the capability of emulsifying and homogenizing products that require higher shear to reduce the size of the particles being mixed.

    Our most popular sizes for Triple Shaft Mixers include 1, 2 and 4 gallons. For Production size models, visit Mixers.com

    • Triple Shaft VersaMix - 4 Gallon Mixing Capacity

    VMC 4 Gallon Model
    Includes vacuum & pressure construction, jacketed mix vessel,condensor, helical anchor & charge ports in hood

    		Triple Shaft VersaMix - 2 Gallon Mixing Capacity

    VMC 2 Gallon Model
    Special design includes a discharge system, vacuum, heat transfer system and controls.
    Triple Shaft VersaMix - 2 Gallon Mixing Capacity

    VMC 2 Gallon Model
    This 2 gallon design includes explosion proof controls, a bench and vacuum construction. Unit is prewired for single point hook-up to electrical service

    		 Sanitary Triple Shaft VersaMix - 2 Gallon Mixing Capacity

    VMC 2 Gallon Sanitary
    A 2 gallon sanitary model equipped with full controls and vacuum capability. Includes three independently driven agitators.
    Kneader Extruder Cutaway View

    Kneader
    The Kneader Extruder combines the efficiency of a double arm - sigma blade mixer with the convenience of an extrusion screw for the mixing and discharging of heavy viscous materials. The Kneader Extruder includes a set of counter-rotating kneading blades and a discharge screw. The blades are mounted on a horizontal axis in a u-shaped trough. Below the blades in a separate cavity is the discharge screw. During the mixing cycle the blades rotate toward each other while the mixing screw rotates in a reverse direction, constantly feeding new materials into the mixing blades. After the mixing/kneading cycle is complete, the screw is reversed and it transports the mixed materials from the mix zone out through a discharge die and on to further processing or packaging.

    The Kneader Extruder has several advantages over conventional non-screw discharge kneaders:
    1. Mixes in approx. 15% less time
    2. Eliminates the manual task of scraping out sticky/tacky materials.
    3.Eliminates operator exposure to materials of elevated temperatures or of a toxic nature, thereby improving plant safety.

    Many sizes and designs are available to meet the most stringent process needs. Kneader Extruders are manufactured in many sizes from 1 through 1000 gallons capacity.

    Kneader Extruder - 1 gallon Mixing Capacity

    1 Gallon Kneader Extruder
    The Kneader Extruder is available in 1 and 5 gallon laboratory models. The unit shown was built for vacuum construction, includes a sight port/light in the vacuum cover, complete controls and variable speed drives.