Adhesives and dispensing equipment supplier Intertronics has launched the THINKY ARE-312, an industrial planetary mixer that can mix, defoam, and degas liquids, powders, and pastes in seconds to minutes to produce a uniform, homogenous mix. The upgraded model, which will eventually replace the ARE-250, offers PC connectivity with data logging, an improved user interface, and a 20-program memory. The low heat generating DC motor offers 10% higher speed and offers 20% greater mixing and defoaming power.
Where previous models would require the user to manually log recipes, the ARE-312 data logging capability enables users to download information on RPM, mode, and which recipe is being used. A new communication function provides remote control and traceability functions — the user can start/stop operation, report abnormal stop information and output device information from external devices, and data can be easily saved on file.
The improved user interface has a 10 step display and shows the rotation speed in real time. The device has been expanded to include up to 20 recipes, which can be imported, exported, and edited from the users PC. The device also suppresses the temperature rise of the main unit, and allows temperature measurement inside the device, while an impact sensor improves safety.
“The precise and repeatable control of a THINKY Mixer makes it possible to improve formulation quality, eliminate human error, and reduce variation due to operator skill,” said Ben Swanson, Chief Commercial Officer at Intertronics. “Planetary mixers also offer significant productivity benefits over hand mixing techniques.
“The addition of the new features in the ARE-312 will benefit manufacturers who find their mixing more efficient with increased speed, such as battery slurry manufacturers. Those in the medical or pharmaceutical industry will find the data logging and PC interface useful,” added Swanson.
THINKY planetary centrifugal mixers combine the simultaneous high speed rotation and revolution of a container to achieve a fast, homogenous mix without the use of paddles, blades, or other invasive tools. Rotation is typically fast (~1,000s of RPM), generating mixing forces of about 400G. Users mix in their own containers (of 300 or 150 ml volume), which avoids the risk of cross contamination, removes the need for cleaning between batches, and saves time.
The THINKY ARE-312 has an additional defoaming/degassing mode, where the ratio of revolution to rotation is altered to favour revolution, generating high centrifugal forces on the materials (up to 510G). This causes air bubbles to rise to the surface and be destroyed by the shearing forces of slower rotation, a process that removes most visible bubbles.
The THINKY ARE-312’s application is broad and the new model can be used for mixing high- to low-viscosity liquids, pastes, and powders including adhesives, sealants, lubricants, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals.
If you’re interested in purchasing a mixer, our product specialists would be happy to discuss your application. For more information on the THINKY ARE 312, visit our website or call 01865 842842.
