Planetary Mixers Literature/Articles

  • Recommended Mixing Equipment for Hydrogels
    Hydrogels based on natural polymers are widely used in wound care, drug delivery, tissue implants, cosmetic, dental and many other applications.
  • Recommended Mixing Equipment for Bulk Molding Compounds
    Proper mixing is critical in achieving the desired physical properties in the final molded product. This bulletin discusses the benefits of preparing Bulk Molding Compounds in a well-designed Double Planetary Mixer.
  • Recommended Mixing Equipment for Wood Putties and Fillers
    Wood putties and fillers are compounds used to hide woodworking imperfections such as holes, scratches and gouges.
  • Recommended Mixing Equipment for Glass Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites
    Epoxy resins reinforced with glass fibers result in a lightweight composite that is highly resistant to mechanical and chemical wear. One critical production step is the dispersion of chopped glass fibers into the resin..
  • Double Planetary Mixing & Drying of Granulations for Vitamin & Mineral Supplements
    Vitamin and mineral supplements in solid dosage forms undergo mixing, granulation and drying processes which have traditionally required multiple dedicated pieces of equipment.
  • Recommended Mixing Equipment for Ceramic Injection Molding Feedstock
    Mixing is an integral part of the CIM process. Fine ceramic powders must be mixed thoroughly with thermoplastic binders, along with additives, to produce a homogeneous feedstock.
  • Mix and ship viscous mixtures in the same container.
    Ross Double Planetary Mixers designed to match standard 55-gallon drums enable manufacturers to produce viscous mixtures right in the shipping container. Advantages include minimal clean-up, waste generation, storage and handling..
  • Maximize mixing efficiency with a Planetary Mixer.
    This bulletin explores the different types of planetary-style mixers. For enhanced processing efficiency and flexibility in a multi-product mixing operation, consider the Planetary Dual Disperser which can operate as a classic Double Planetary Mixer or as a Planetary Disperser.
  • Extremely viscous mixtures
    Kneaders are well proven and reliable mixers employed in the compounding of extremely viscous mixtures that cannot be processed efficiently in vertical-style agitators such as double planetary mixers.
  • Tips for selecting the best planetary mixer for your process
    This bulletin presents some general guidelines for selecting the most appropriate planetary mixer configuration for a particular application.
  • Blending and drying high density powders
    Consider the benefits of blending and drying dense powders in a double planetary mixer..
  • Buying reconditioned mixing equipment
    When properly restored to perfect working condition, ideally by the OEM, a reconditioned mixer or blender is comparable, if not equal, in efficiency to new equipment. The savings in cost and faster shipment help you get to the profitable stage sooner without sacrificing reliability.
  • Prevent localized overheating in your batch mixer.
    Localized overheating is a mixing issue that happens more commonly in viscous applications. Utilizing the appropriate mixer for a given viscosity range is the best way to avoid localized overheating and product degradation.
  • Clean design planetary mixers
    Contamination in mixing systems can arise from foreign materials in the environment as well as materials within the mixer left from previous batches. In planetary mixers, a number of clean design features are available which help improve ease of cleaning and reduce contamination risks..
  • One pot mixing
    Multi-step mixing operations involving two or more pieces of equipment can be labor-intensive and time-consuming. With the use of a versatile mixing system, some of these applications can be batched and completed in a single vessel. This one-pot processing approach can significantly reduce cycle times, simplify clean-up and maintenance, enhance batch-to-batch consistency and improve overall production efficiency..
  • Improve safety in your mixing room.
    This bulletin discusses some practical and technical solutions for improving safety in the mixing area..
  • Conserve raw materials in a scalable R&D mixer.
    Scalable mixing equipment allow R&D scientists to conserve expensive ingredients while following a repeatable, consistent agitation method that can be easily replicated in pilot or production scale. This bulletin presents some R&D mixers and their smallest recommended batch volumes.
  • Mixing highly filled compounds
    Obtaining a good dispersion of fillers into a mixture is critical to end product quality. Highly filled, viscous compounds can be successfully prepared in multi-shaft or planetary mixers.
  • Advantages of double planetary mixers over sigma blade kneaders
    Many high viscosity materials that are being made on sigma blade kneaders can be processed in double planetary mixers. The advantages of switching to the double planetary mixer design include better cleanability, smaller footprint and lower capital cost.
  • High-torque, low impact mixing of viscous composites
    Double planetary mixers provide thorough, low impact agitation ideal for intimate mixing of delicate fillers into high viscosity materials.
  • Preparing wet granulations in a planetary mixer
    Planetary mixers are ideal for wet granulation processes. Advantages include "one-pot" processing, high uniformity and yield, predictable performance, and ease of cleaning.
  • Mixing abrasive pastes and slurries
    Dispersion of abrasive solids into liquid can be accomplished in single-shaft, multi-shaft or planetary mixers, depending on product rheology and degree of abrasion. This bulletin discusses some strategies for combating abrasive wear in these types of mixers.
  • Improve the performance of your double planetary mixer.
    This bulletin presents some processing techniques for improving the mixing performance of double planetary mixers.
  • Turnkey Mixing Systems
    Turnkey systems range from simple laboratory mixers equipped with one or two auxiliary equipment to more complex packages capable of high speed, multi-recipe production. It helps to work with an experienced supplier capable of providing a full range of testing, engineering, design and manufacturing services.
  • Fast and efficient discharge of viscous, sticky mixtures
    Platen-style discharge systems used with change-can design mixers can significantly improve production speed, efficiency, cleanliness and plant safety..
  • Mixing dilatant materials
    Dilatant materials pose a unique mixing challenge due to their very nature: the greater the shear forces applied to the material, the more resistance is encountered. Heavy-duty, high-torque double planetary mixers operated under comparatively low speeds are ideal for processing shear-thickening mixtures.
  • Effectively disperse fibers into your viscous mix.
    Many fiber-filled composites are high viscosity formulations that require efficient dispersion in a planetary mixer configuration where a number of blade designs and combinations are available. Fiber characteristics and composite rheology are the main factors evaluated in the mixer selection process.
  • 5 ways a laboratory double planetary mixer can save you money
    The double planetary mixer is a highly versatile piece of process equipment. At the R&D level, it offers several advantages that can save time and money. This bulletin discusses 5 unique benefits of the double planetary mixer.
  • Scale-up of batch mixers
    Successful scale-up of specialty mixing equipment often relies less on straightforward formulas and more on empirical data and experience. This bulletin discusses some practical tips and considerations useful in the scale up of batch mixing operations..
  • Double planetary mixers are ideal for low shear processing of viscous materials.
    Viscous products possessing shear-sensitive behavior, fragile components or abrasive properties require gentle but thorough mixing. In most cases, a double planetary mixer is the best choice for processing such applications.
  • Helical double planetary blades promote better and cleaner mixing
    Traditional double planetary mixers equipped with rectangular-shaped paddles are prone to ‘climbing’ issues where product tends to ride up the blades and out of the mix vessel. Precisely angled helical planetary blades overcome this problem and promote better, cleaner mixing.
  • Helical blades extend the viscosity range of double planetary mixers
    The typical operating viscosity range of traditional double planetary mixers is in the range of 3 million cP. Swapping the traditional rectangular stirrers with helical planetary blades can extend this range to up to 8 million cP.