Whether mixing a gallon of paint, or a large amount of hand sanitizer, North and South Tide has a mixer for every industry application. Our propeller agitators come in a variety of models, including electric and air powered, for small batch industrial production or laboratory applications.
However, it's important to remember that not all blenders are created equal.
Typically, mixers are used to mix smaller batch sizes, ranging from a pint to 30 gallons. In addition to mixing product ingredients, the operating environment, available power and workflow requirements of your mixing station should also be considered before purchasing a mixer.
While both offer a similar end result through the combination of materials, they differ in how they generate electricity, suitability for handling flammable materials, and torque performance.
electric mixer
Electric mixers are powered by an electric motor. These small horsepower units typically plug into a common 120V outlet and include reliable speed control to ensure a steady, constant flow while producing a consistent product every time. Because they provide predictable output and process results, electric mixers are a common choice in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and cosmetics. These models are available in a variety of torque ranges to suit the characteristics of the mix components. Higher viscosity formulations generally require higher torque.
air mixer
Air mixers utilize an industrial Air Compressor to drive a motor. The compressor output is required to provide air pressure at the specified flow rate to fully power the air motor. Consult the air motor performance curve for the selected model of motor to determine if the available compressed air source is adequate. Due to the compressibility of the air torque, the consistency with the motor is much lower, especially at low speeds. As the speed and pressure in the system increase, the torque output becomes more consistent. Air mixers are often chosen for use in hazardous environments because they are considered inherently safer compared to electric mixers. Also, air mixers may weigh less than electric models and won't burn from power overloads.
Air mixers are an optional, safer choice for industries such as inks, paints, chemical and petroleum that incorporate flammable materials into their ingredients. Handheld aerodynamic models are often chosen in the construction industry.
