MultiPlane
The MultiPlane® mixing tool from amixon® enables gentle and efficient processing and mixing of functional bulk materials in industrial mixers. It is particularly suitable for large batches, high fill levels, and cohesive, compaction-sensitive, or particle-sensitive powders. Additional, leading-edge helical elements loosen the product on multiple levels during upward conveyance. This reduces dynamic pressure, internal friction, and shear stress while maintaining the three-dimensional mixing effect. MultiPlane® protects sensitive granules, agglomerates, and particles and can reduce wear when handling abrasive products. The system is available for various amixon® mixers and can also be retrofitted to existing systems. The optimal tool design can be tested with the actual product at the amixon® technical center.
Functional bulk materials place high demands on industrial mixing processes. Agglomerates can break up, particles can be damaged by friction, and cohesive powders can compact under pressure. The MultiPlane® mixing tool developed by amixon® counteracts these effects. It promotes gentle product movement and reduces displacement work, dynamic pressure and shear stress. This is particularly advantageous at high fill levels and with large columns of bulk material.
Gentle mixing of large batches
As the fill height increases, the compressive stress within the bulk material rises. The lower product layers bear the weight of the overlying bulk material column. At the same time, the mixing tool must move the product from the bottom to the top.
This is particularly critical for materials that:
- compact or densify easily,
- are cohesive or have poor flow properties,
- contain sensitive granules, agglomerates or particles,
- tend to solidify during prolonged storage.
MultiPlane® enables efficient yet gentle mixing even under these conditions.
How MultiPlane® works
The MultiPlane® mixing tool complements the main mixing helix with additional, leading-edge helical elements. The SinConcave® or SinConvex® mixing helix conveys the material upwards along the wall of the mixing chamber.
In the centre, it flows downwards again. This creates a three-dimensional circulation with continuous product exchange. The additional MultiPlane® spirals loosen the bulk material whilst it is still moving upwards. As a result, large volumes of product are not compacted, but are loosened across multiple levels. Without compromising the high-quality mixing effect, dynamic pressure, internal friction and shear forces can be reduced.
Particularly suitable for large mixers
Loosening protects the particle structures
MultiPlane® combines efficient mixing with low mechanical stress. This results in several advantages:
- lower friction and compaction forces,
- gentle handling of sensitive particles and granules,
- reduced risk of compaction for cohesive powders,
- potentially lower wear for abrasive products.
This process can be used, for example, to process instant products, food mixtures, additive formulations, rare-earth bulk materials, plastic compounds, special mineral mixtures and powders from the chemical and pharmaceutical industries (API). MultiPlane® can be used in various amixon® mixing systems.
Particularly suitable for large mixers
As mixer size and bulk material column height increase, so do the mechanical stresses on the product, mixing tool, shaft and bearings. For large batches exceeding 10 m³, MultiPlane® can therefore offer significant advantages.
The design is adapted to the product and process. Possible options include, for example:
- one or more relief spirals,
- additional mixing arms,
- relief canopies,
- product-specific spiral geometries,
- reinforced bearing assemblies.
Key design parameters include bulk density, flow behaviour, cohesion, particle shape, abrasiveness, moisture content, particle size distribution, fill level and batch size.
For various amixon® mixers
MultiPlane® can be designed for numerous amixon® mixing systems, including:
- Gyraton® mixing silos,
- vertical single-shaft mixers,
- vertical twin-shaft mixers,
- AM and AMK cone mixers,
- KoneSlid® mixers,
- SpherHelics®.
It is also possible to assess whether an adaptation or retrofit is advisable for existing amixon® mixers.
Example: cohesive powder
With large batches, a cohesive powder can become heavily compacted in the lower sections. Friction and compressive forces increase. Product movement is impeded. MultiPlane® distributes the upward conveyance across several levels. The product is loosened sooner and moved more evenly. The main spiral has to displace fewer compacted product zones. At the same time, three-dimensional mixing of the entire mixing chamber is maintained.
Loosening protects the particle structures
MultiPlane® combines efficient mixing with low mechanical stress. This results in several advantages:
- lower friction and compaction forces,
- gentle handling of sensitive particles and granules,
- reduced risk of compaction for cohesive powders,
- potentially lower wear for abrasive products.
This process can be used, for example, to process instant products, food mixtures, additive formulations, rare-earth bulk materials, plastic compounds, special mineral mixtures and powders from the chemical and pharmaceutical industries (API). MultiPlane® can be used in various amixon® mixing systems.
Particularly suitable for large mixers
As mixer size and bulk material column height increase, so do the mechanical stresses on the product, mixing tool, shaft and bearings. For large batches exceeding 10 m³, MultiPlane® can therefore offer significant advantages.
The design is adapted to the product and process. Possible options include, for example:
- one or more relief spirals,
- additional mixing arms,
- relief canopies,
- product-specific spiral geometries,
- reinforced bearing assemblies.
Key design parameters include bulk density, flow behaviour, cohesion, particle shape, abrasiveness, moisture content, particle size distribution, fill level and batch size.
For various amixon® mixers
MultiPlane® can be designed for numerous amixon® mixing systems, including:
- Gyraton® mixing silos,
- vertical single-shaft mixers,
- vertical twin-shaft mixers,
- AM and AMK cone mixers,
- KoneSlid® mixers,
- SpherHelics®.
It is also possible to assess whether an adaptation or retrofit is advisable for existing amixon® mixers.
Example: cohesive powder
With large batches, a cohesive powder can become heavily compacted in the lower sections. Friction and compressive forces increase. Product movement is impeded. MultiPlane® distributes the upward conveyance across several levels. The product is loosened sooner and moved more evenly. The main spiral has to displace fewer compacted product zones. At the same time, three-dimensional mixing of the entire mixing chamber is maintained.
Testing at the amixon® Technical Centre
Whether MultiPlane® is the best solution for a specific mixing task can be reliably determined using the actual product. The amixon® technical centre has 35 test mixers of various sizes and series available. Tests provide reliable insights into mixing quality, mixing time, product protection, discharge behaviour and optimal tool configuration. This allows MultiPlane® to be specifically tailored to the product, batch size and process.
Whether MultiPlane® is the best solution for a specific mixing task can be reliably determined using the actual product. The amixon® technical centre has 35 test mixers of various sizes and series available. Tests provide reliable insights into mixing quality, mixing time, product protection, discharge behaviour and optimal tool configuration. This allows MultiPlane® to be specifically tailored to the product, batch size and process.
© Copyright by amixon GmbH