Ribbon Blenders, Paddle Blenders and Plow Blenders

COMPARE WITH ROTARY BATCH MIXERS

Munson is the only manufacturer of all of the above types of mixers/blenders, and is uniquely qualified (and motivated) to provide the advantages and disadvantages of each relative to your application, accurately and objectively.

The following table outlines the inherent differences between stationary-horizontal blenders popularly known as Ribbon Blenders, Paddle Blenders and Plow Blenders, and Rotary Batch Mixers.

The following ratings are generalizations that do not apply to all applications. Please consult factory for specific equipment recommendations.

A = Excellent

B = Good

C = Fair

D = Poor

MIXER ATTRIBUTES/ CHARACTERISTICS	BATCH MIXERS
	Rotary Batch Mixer	Rotary Batch "Mini" Mixer	Ribbon, Paddle & Plow Blenders
Abrasives	A	A	C
Abrasive materials	A	A	C
Brittle materials	A	A	D
Chips	A	A	C
Coatings	A	A	C
Complete discharge	A	A	C
Critical mixes	A	A	C
Crystals	A	A	C
Emulsions	C	C	B
Fibrous materials	B	B	B
Fragile materials	A	A	D
Gentle blending	A	A	C
Glass cullet	A	A	C
Granulars	A	A	B/C
Interlocking materials	B	B	B
Irregular chips	A	A	C
Large Variance in Particle Sizes	A	A	D
Low maintenance	A	A	B
Lowest energy/amt Of material blended	A	A	C
Lowest initial cost	B	B	A
Minor liquid adds	A	A	B
Pastes	D	D	B/C
Pellets	A	A	C
Powders	A	A	B
Rapid blending	A	A	C
Rapid sanitizing	A	A	C
Slurries	D	D	B
Sticky/tacky materials	D	D	B/C
Uniform blending	A	A	C
Uniform liquid additions	A	A	C

General disadvantages of Ribbon, Paddle and Plow Blenders

Stationary horizontal blenders generally require a minimum of 8 to 15 minutes to blend a batch, versus 2 to 3 minutes for a Rotary Batch Mixer. Stationary horizontal blenders also force agitators through the material throughout relatively long cycle times, degrading most bulk materials to some extent, whereas Rotary Batch Mixers create a gentle tumbling action over short cycle times, virtually eliminating product degradation. The shaft seals of stationary horizontal blenders are always in contact with material, unlike Rotary Batch Mixers that have only one seal at the inlet end, and move material up and away from the seal as the vessel rotates. And whereas Rotary Batch Mixers evacuate 100 percent of the batch, stationary horizontal blenders leave a heel of material on the bottom of the trough that can make product changeovers and sanitizing more difficult and time consuming. Stationary horizontal blenders also consume significantly more power than a rotary batch mixer, and incur a higher total ownership cost.

General advantages of Ribbon, Paddle and Plow Blenders

Ribbon, Paddle and Plow Blenders generally offer lower initial cost and a smaller footprint than Rotary Batch Mixers, and can be charged at any point above their large, flat lids. They are also better suited to non-free-flowing materials and reducing agglomerates due to the aggressive action of their agitators being forced through the material contained in a stationary, horizontal mixing vessel. They are capable of blending materials that are oily, moist, sticky, pasty, viscous and tend to pack and cake, resisting flow. In addition, it is easier to add belly-mounted high-speed choppers/intensifiers to horizontal blenders than to rotary batch mixers.

Specific advantages of Ribbon, Paddle and Plow Blenders
• Tight tolerances available to 1/32" (0.8 mm) required to minimize residual heel of material remaining in blender after discharge.
• Handles material that is oily, moist, sticky, pasty, viscous and tends to pack, cake and resist flow
• Effective at breaking down agglomerates
• Easy to add high speed intensifiers for added shear
• Easy to heat vessel wall for thermal processing
• Compact, both in width and in height
• Lower initial cost in most cases