Powder Blending Equipment for Manufacturing
Dry powder blending is simplified with bin blending that reduces blend times and requires no between batch cleanup. Since products contact only the bin, the benefits of total product containment, immediate product changeover and zero blender cleaning are realized. Bin blending also eliminates airborne and cross-contamination, product segregation and spillage risks.
Filling spouts, both single and double are available as well as devices to reduce the product angle of repose allowing for the IBC to be filled more completely.
The first IBC blender was made in 1961 and proved to be one of the more popular items as the speed of blending dry powders was exceptional.
Offsetting the IBC in the blender frame between 20 and 30 degrees causes the powder to change direction of flow 6 times for every rotation improving both the blending time and consistency.
The obvious advantages of no blender clean up required between various recipes and the low idle time between batches provides increased production and pre-batched bins of product quickly loaded into the blender is a great benefit. Some of the CPS people were involved with the original design and improvements through the years.
CPS offers the original double pedestal blender, the single pedestal blender and the column blender as well as v-blenders and custom options.
How it Works
Tumble blending is a dual action blending principle. The first blending action is produced by a wave as the material is tumbled. This wave (or shear plane) occurs in the top ¼ of the product load. The second blending action is produced by the cradle orientation. The IBC is held in the blender at an angle to position the IBC horizontal center of gravity 20° from the Blender tumbling centerline. This geometry places the IBC shell walls at cross flow producing angles to the blend axis, acting as baffles as the product is tumbled.
Column Blender
The Column Blender offers additional capabilities over a pedestal style blender. In addition to its blending function, the Column Blender serves as a Column Lift to lift and place IBCs. This is especially useful for combined suite systems and allows the IBC to be blended and immediately moved over a tablet press for compression.
The Column Blender can accommodate a wide range of IBC sizes as Column Blenders clamp IBCs from the sides on horizontally oriented side lugs. The Lugs are positioned at the IBC’s center of gravity so the height of the IBC is not a factor.
Features
- Clean, cGMP design
- Adjustable blending speed
- Single and double pedestal designs
- Column post blender
- Digital tachometer
- Electric drives
- Blend duration configurable by timer or revolution count
- PLC based controls
- FDA 21CFR Part 11 compliant controls - electronic signature and records