A Beginner’s Comparison Of Shaft Mixers For A Central Mix Concrete Plant
To the lay person concrete mixing is just that, concrete mixing. The concrete mixture is poured into one of those massive trucks with a turning funnel and taken over to the project site – simple as really. Wrong! The creation and distribution of concrete requires far more complex tasks and many considerations need to be made regarding the concrete plant. The first, for all industry professionals, is the decision of which shaft mixer to utilize at the central mix concrete plant. This article will provide information to help compare the two most common concrete shaft mixers.
The Technology
As is mentioned, there are various points to take into account when reviewing the type of mixing shaft to be used. The first is to determine which would be more efficient for the mixing: the twin shaft mixer or the drum mixer. Currently, the twin shaft option is the latest and most technological advanced of these items which have made it quite popular among professionals. It has two shaft mixers which allow different materials to be thrown together and mixed using rotating paddles. This website http://www.zzchangli.com/ can help you learn more about this issue.
Yet, do not discount the drum shaft when looking at mixer technology. At the moment, drum mixers present with an addition of pre mixers, also known as shrink mixers, which assists with large amounts of concrete mixing. Furthermore, the drum mixer has advanced blade configurations and even reversing technologies.
The Availability
One of the most important factors to consider when comparing a drum mixer with a twin shaft mixer or single shaft mixer is their availability. This is where the drum mixer generally trumps the twin shaft mixer as the former is manufactured by numerous concrete plant manufacturers in the United States of America. This makes the drum shaft option more frequently available with short turn around periods regarding delivery of the item. This is not the case with a twin shaft mixer.
Presently, the majority of twin shaft mixers are manufactured abroad and must be shipped to plant owners via ship. This prolongs the delivery time to allow for shipping and many of these items will take approximately four weeks before arrival. It should be noted that concrete mixer manufacturers within the USA are beginning to develop this type of mixer and one does not always need to contact oversees manufacturers. It should also be noted that the shipping and import fees generally do not affect the overall purchase price.
One benefit of the twin shaft mixers is the ability to add moisture sensors and washout systems. The application of moisture sensors is particularly important when controlling the mix design from within the mixer.
A washout system provides convenient self-cleaning of the equipment; thus prolonging the item’s lifespan and increasing time-effectiveness as workers will not be required to’muck out’ the mixer after use. Furthermore, high pressure jets (as part of the washout system) are able to clean areas that most workers cannot reach. The drum shaft mixer does not present with any of these features.
Final Words On The Matter
As can be seen, locating effective equipment for the central mix concrete plant can be challenging. By using the information above one will be able to make an informed decision on which shaft mixer is best for the central mix concrete plant.