Lab Blender
| Category: Blenders |
| Capacity: Up to 1 Cu-ft (blending capacity) |
| Vessels: V-Shell, Offset Cone, Double Cone or Bins |
| Blend RPM: Programmable |
| Controls: Allen-Bradley |
Description
Designed for laboratory and R&D environments, this compact blender handles up to 1 cu ft of material and features an interchangeable vessel design supporting V-shells, offset cones, double cones, or bins. A roll-back style safety canopy fully encloses the vessel during blending, ensuring operator protection while maintaining clear visibility of the process.
Direct Drive Rotation
The vessel is directly driven by a TEFC electric gearmotor with an integrated fail-safe brake, providing controlled and reliable rotation. A solid, precision-machined shaft supports the vessel and is carried by three industrial-duty bearings to ensure smooth, effortless rotation underload. Integrated encoders provide continuous position feedback for accurate vessel alignment throughout the operation.
Pedestal (Tabletop)
The portable pedestal frame fully encloses all essential blender components, including motors, gearboxes, and electrical enclosures. The blender is designed as a tabletop unit. Constructed from 304 stainless steel, the blender features a uniform brushed finish. All external welds are ground smooth, chemically cleaned, and passivated to ensure a clean exterior, long-term durability, and hygienic compliance.
Vessel Clamp
The vessel clamp is custom fabricated and precision machined from 304 stainless steel to match the vessel flange, ensuring secure engagement and accurate alignment. Available in manual or automatically actuated configurations, the clamp supports full interchangeability through standardized flange dimensions. The design is compatible with a wide range of vessels, including V-Shells, Double Cones, Offset Cones, and Bins.
cGMP Design
The blender is engineered and assembled to the highest level of cGMP compliance. All surfaces and components are designed for ease of cleaning, with smooth transitions and minimal crevices to prevent product accumulation. This thoughtful design supports hygienic operation, simplifies washdown, and helps maintain a safe, contamination-free production environment.
Optional – Intensifier Bar
An optional high-speed intensifier bar can be integrated into the blender to provide additional agitation and improve blend uniformity. The I-Bar is fabricated from 316 stainless steel and polished to match the vessel interior. The I-Bar incorporates a sealed bearing cartridge with FDA-compliant, mineral-impregnated PTFE seals. The bearing housing is mounted externally to the vessel, with a low-profile hub inside the vessel to minimize product contact and simplify cleaning. Dedicated tooling is provided for installation and maintenance.
Optional – Manway Interlock
The manway is interlocked with blender motion using a trapped interlock key system. The key must be inserted and secured before rotation is permitted, ensuring the manway is properly closed and preventing product loss during operation.
Optional – RFID Vessel Identification
The system includes an RFID tag reader to read tags on each vessel, with new RFID tags provided for all existing bins. Once a vessel tag is read, the control system automatically pre-fills the vessel RPM, ensuring accurate and repeatable operation. If applicable, the system will also populate a drop-down menu of compatible I-Bars for that bin, and after selection, pre-fill the I-Bar RPM field with the correct speed for the chosen vessel and I-Bar combination.
Operator Controls
Controls all equipment movements with automated sequencing. At minimum, the following user interfaces will be provided: Power On/Off, Emergency Stops, Reset, Start/Stop Blend, Manual Set Blend Time, Manual Set Blend RPM, Jog Forward/Reverse.
Operator Panel Enclosure & Mounting
Stainless Steel Enclosure. (*Other enclosure options available upon request.)
Operator Interface
10.4” Allen Bradley PanelView Plus 7 Touch Screen. (*Other interface options available upon request.)
Power Panel
High and low voltage panels. The panels house the PLC, VFDs, fuses, relays and power disconnect.
Power Panel Enclosure & Mounting
Stainless Steel Enclosure. (*Enclosure type and location can vary based on room classification and customer requirements.)
Control Hardware
CompactLogix 5380 PLC and Allen Bradley PowerFlex 525 VFD(s). (*Other PLC and VFD options available upon request.)
Optional – UL 508A Certified Panel
Built and certified to UL 508A standards for compliance with industrial control standards.
Optional – Batch Recording/Recipes
Save and store recipes for ease of set up and constant blends. Includes Batch Records via printer, ethernet or .csv file.
Optional – 21 CFR Part 11 Compliancy
The PLC system furnished 21CFR Part 11 compliant – data logging, archiving & auditing data stored onto a locally stored file for Ethernet download. Tiered Security based on pre-determined user groups and privileges.
Stack Light with Audible Alarm
A stack light with an integrated audible alarm can be added to provide clear visual and sound-based status indication of lift operation, fault conditions, or safety interlocks. This enhances operator awareness and improves overall system visibility within the processing area.
Tailored to Your Application
Our equipment is engineered to fit your unique process needs, ensuring optimal performance, efficiency, and compliance. Whether you require specialized materials, customized sizes, or precise automation features, each system is designed to integrate seamlessly with your workflow. Contact our technical engineers today!
