MACHINERY | MIXERS


Christian Honemeyer, managing director at MTI, added: “The unit specially adapted to Northern Pipe’s plant layout clearly reflects our self-concept as a flexible, customer-focused innovator in the mixer industry.


The application range of our machines extends from volume manufacturing to the development


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Above: Coperion says that its Mix-A-Lot system is in demand as a compact solution that offers lot size and formula- tion flexibility


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laboratory – where they support effortless upscaling. We thus cover all typical


requirements for batch mixing processes.”


Upstream influence It’s true to say that mixers are used more exten- sively in upstream processes like compounding – during the creation of material grades for different extrusion processes. These have a direct influence over extruded products such as pipes and profiles – and equipment manufacturers are constantly developing continuous and batch mixing solutions that offer versatility in application together with optimal blending and dispersion. Flexibility in recipe adaption, smaller production cycles and lots, and compact layout are high on the list of requirements for mixers in new compound- ing and masterbatch plants, says Jürgen Rum- schick, sales manager for bulk materials plants, plastics processors and compounders at Coperion – which recently introduced its Mix-A-Lot mechani- cal bulk material mixer. “As an optional addition, the unit ensures


particularly efficient, high speed and gentle homogenisation of the fed material. The readily accessible and easy to clean Mix-A-Lot is available in four sizes for throughput rates up to 5 tonnes/ hour. There is also an ATEX version and other options available,” he says.


Right: B&P Littleford’s TriVolution is a continuous kneading mixer optimised for flexibility


Updated formulations Another developing trend in the mixing sector is to re-examine and improve processing of formulations that may have been in production for decades. “Companies are either looking to cut costs by substituting less expensive materials or substitute materials in order to comply with regulatory changes,” said Alan Malott, global prod- uct manager for continuous mixing systems at US-based B&P Littleford. “In addition, there is a demand for increased production while floor space remains limited.”


Its mixing equipment products include the 44 PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION | January/February 2019 www.pipeandprofile.com


TriVolution continuous kneader, which is based on a 60-year-old operating principle that has been updated to meet current processing demands. “One benefit, compared to previous kneader technology, is its mixing versatility,” said Malott. The segmented elements – which vary from 8-flighted to 24-flighted – are designed to allow quick changeover from low shear to higher shear mixing, based on the formulation being run. This versatility allows operators to switch from low shear, low temperature materials such as PVC, to a highly filled, less shear-sensitive polyolefin, for instance, by switching out the screw elements. “In addition to the versatile mixing elements, the


barrel sections are designed to be modular,” he said. “This allows for total re-arrangement of the feed barrels along the length of the shaft. The feed sections were also designed to rotate, allowing a top feed location to become a side feed location easily.”


Intensive concepts The FCM (Farrel Continuous Mixer) from Farrel Pomini – for continuous mixing applications – is based on intensive mixing concepts that claim to enable processing efficiency, high versatility, dependability and profitability. Farrel describes the FCM as an independent mixer that is suitable for a wide range of uses – including polyolefins, polysty- rene and PVC-based compounds. The FCM is available in a range of sizes and capacities for applications ranging from pilot/ laboratory to large scale production. All models share the same basic mechanical features, operat- ing principles and method to control mixing intensity. Ingredients can be fed into the mixer separately or as a pre-blend, while liquids can be injected directly into the mixing chamber. Intensive material shear is applied to melt the polymer and mix the ingredients by kneading between the


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PHOTO: B&P LITTLEFORD


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