5 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Ribbon Blender

Ribbon blenders are u-shaped mixers featuring helix agitators that blend, fold, and agitate products using axial and radial movement. They can handle various materials, from dry powders to viscous pastes and creams.

Look for a ribbon blender with an appropriate discharge valve to ensure proper mixing. A dust-tight gate valve is ideal for powders and dry ingredients, while a fluid-tight ball valve is suitable for wet materials.

Mixing Capacity

Ribbon mixers, called IBC bin blenders, mix granules and powders efficiently. These u-shaped mixers feature double helix agitators which move in opposite directions for efficient mixing and can coat dry solid particles with liquid ingredients.

During the blending process, the outer ribbon moves the materials from one end through the center, and the inner ribbon transmits the material from the other end through the middle of the trough. This countercurrent motion eliminates lumps and provides a highly homogenous mix within a very short time.

Customizing your ribbon blender with features that match your application and facility requirements can make all the difference. Having the right equipment ensures your processes operate smoothly and efficiently, saving you on water and rib chemical costs.

Flexibility

Ribbon blenders offer an excellent way to mix heavy large-size production batches of dried granules, powders, solids, and light pastes. The helix of the machine can work through even the most difficult to-blend materials to produce a highly uniform mixture.

For mixing applications requiring CIP (Cleaning in Place) or washdowns, look for a model with a removable discharge valve. This will allow for quick and easy cleaning of the mixer.

Ribbon blenders with direct drive offer greater operating efficiency and reliability than belt- or chain-driven designs. A gear motor design eliminates issues such as belt slippage and stretching, excessive overhung load, and noise created by chains. This also eliminates the need for periodic belt or coupling maintenance.

Noise

A ribbon blender operates through a U-shaped horizontal tank with a solid agitator shaft that supports outer and inner helical ribbons. The agitator rotates and produces a peripheral acceleration known as tip speed. The outer ribbon moves ingredients radially while the inner ribbon pushes them inward toward the center of the mixing tank.

The rotation of the ribbons creates a convective movement that can achieve a homogeneous mixture. However, a ribbon mixer can become less effective for cohesive powders.

Direct-drive ribbon blenders are recommended over the belt and chain-driven models. Issues like belt slippage and stretching, excessive overhang load, and noise made by chains are eliminated with a direct-drive design.

Energy Efficiency

A ribbon blender is an industrial-strength mixer that’s great for large batch sizes of small, uniform ingredients or dense materials. Its name is from long, twisted metal strips called ribbons that move through the batch.

A quality ribbon blender can mix powders quickly, achieving thorough blending within 15 minutes for ingredients with similar particle size and bulk density. It can also mix liquids into a dry mixture.

Unlike a paddle mixer, a ribbon blender uses long, thin blades to stir and mix the products. These blades require less energy than other types of mixers to operate. Additionally, a quality ribbon blender is directly driven by a motor instead of belts or chains to eliminate issues like slippage and stretching that plague chain drives.

Maintenance

Ribbon mixers can mix heavy ingredients quickly and evenly. They are ideal for several industries that require mixing dry products such as spices, instant recipes, drink mixes, and nutraceuticals.

Choosing the right agitator size is crucial to avoid excessive maintenance costs and possible damage. The shape of the agitator and the number of twists and turns also matter. Moreover, it is essential to choose the right power for your mixer. An oversized motor can lead to extra costs, while an underpowered mixer must be able to operate correctly.

For effective blending, the ribbon blender should be filled with enough batch material to reach 30-40% of its rated capacity. Moreover, it is also essential to choose a suitable discharge valve. A dust-tight knife gate valve may be ideal for powders, while a flush plug or spherical valve is recommended for liquid products.