Sigma Blade Mixer

Principles of Sigma Blade Mixer:

• The sigma blade mixer operates on the principle of shear and kneading, suitable for mixing high-viscosity materials.
• The design includes two sigma-shaped blades that rotate towards each other, creating a shearing and kneading action that mixes the materials thoroughly.

Construction of Sigma Blade Mixer:

1. Mixer Body: Heavy-duty trough that houses the blades.
2. Sigma Blades: Two interlocking, Z-shaped blades mounted on parallel shafts.
3. Drive System: Consists of a motor and gearbox to rotate the blades.
4. Discharge Mechanism: Includes a bottom discharge valve or a tilting mechanism for easy emptying of the mixed material.
5. Jacket: Often includes a heating or cooling jacket for temperature control.

Working:

• Materials are loaded into the trough.
• The blades rotate in opposite directions, pulling materials through the space between them and shearing them against the walls of the trough.
• This kneading action ensures thorough mixing of high-viscosity materials.
• The mixture is then discharged through the bottom valve or by tilting the trough.

Uses:

• Pharmaceuticals: Mixing ointments, creams, and adhesives.
• Food Industry: Preparing dough, chewing gum, and confectioneries.
• Chemical Industry: Blending rubber compounds, resins, and high-viscosity chemicals.

Merits:

• Effective for high-viscosity and cohesive materials.
• Provides intense mixing and kneading.
• Can be equipped with a heating/cooling jacket.
• Suitable for batch processing.

Demerits:

• High energy consumption.
• Requires thorough cleaning, which can be time-consuming.
• Limited to batch processing.

Thank you for reading from Firsthope's notes, don't forget to check YouTube videos!