Ribbon Blender

Description

A ribbon blender is a widely used industrial mixer, primarily designed for blending dry powders, granular materials, and even pastes. It is commonly used in industries such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and cosmetics. The ribbon blender provides thorough and consistent mixing, thanks to its unique design that combines effective mixing with gentle handling of materials.

How a Ribbon Blender Works

The ribbon blender consists of a U-shaped horizontal mixing vessel with an agitator that has two or more helical ribbons (or blades) mounted on a central shaft. The ribbons rotate inside the vessel to create a mixing action that combines the ingredients efficiently. Here’s how it works:

1. Vessel Design: The blender has a U-shaped container that allows for better material flow and mixing. The shape helps materials to be moved toward the center, creating an effective blending action.

2. Ribbon Agitator: The central shaft of the ribbon blender holds the helical ribbons or blades, which rotate within the U-shaped vessel. These ribbons are designed to move materials in a two-way action. The inner ribbon moves material from the center of the vessel to the outer edges, while the outer ribbon moves material from the edges back to the center. This continuous, gentle movement ensures thorough mixing.

3. Material Flow: The dual-action ribbon mechanism ensures uniform distribution of all ingredients, whether they are powders, granular substances, or pastes. The movement of materials inside the vessel ensures that all particles are uniformly blended, preventing segregation or uneven mixing.

4. Discharge System: The mixture is usually discharged through an outlet at the bottom of the blender. Some ribbon blenders are equipped with a discharge valve that controls the flow of the blended product.