Vertical Mixing Dryer

Vertical Mixing Dryer Overview

A vertical mixing dryer, also known as a lifting stirring dryer or a granular blending machine, utilizes rotating mixing blades to agitate plastic raw materials, achieving rapid mixing of granular materials. It is primarily designed for blending and coloring various plastic granules, making it an essential auxiliary device for extruders, injection molding machines, and granulating machines. The base of the plastic mixing and coloring machine can be equipped with casters for easy mobility. This equipment features a sealed mixing process that is secure and dependable, achieving uniform mixing in a short period. Additionally, it is equipped with a timer to freely adjust the mixing duration. The machine is characterized by even mixing, a compact structure, an attractive appearance, easy assembly and disassembly, and straightforward cleaning.

Primary Functions of the Vertical Mixing Dryer

The vertical mixing dryer is mainly used for mixing different colored plastic granules. The equipment has two primary functions: hot air drying of plastic granules and uniform blending of plastic granules with functional masterbatches and fillers. The machine employs rotating mixing blades to stir and agitate plastic materials, facilitating rapid mixing. It is one of the auxiliary devices for injection molding machines and granulating machines.

Working Principle of the Vertical Mixing Dryer

Plastic granules enter from the feed hopper and, under the pushing force of the spiral blades, slide upward along the blade surface to the top. There, centrifugal force causes them to spread out in an umbrella shape around the barrel, continuously moving downward. The material falling from the top into the bottom of the mixer is automatically fed into the vertical screw conveyor, where it is lifted and mixed again. This cycle repeats until thorough mixing is achieved. Simultaneously, air is delivered by a blower into the electric heating box, where it is heated and then automatically controlled by a temperature controller. This evenly heated air penetrates through the resin layers, exchanging heat and continuously removing moisture. The resin granules are continuously dried as they descend from top to bottom, completing the drying and mixing process.

Features of the Vertical Mixing Dryer

The mixing blades and barrel of the vertical mixing dryer are made of stainless steel, making them easy to assemble, disassemble, and clean. The barrel includes an insulating layer in the middle to reduce heat loss during the drying process, thus improving drying efficiency. The optional heating function uses stainless steel heating rods to dry plastic granules with hot air. Temperature points are set in the hot air duct and barrel, and heating temperature and time are automatically controlled by a PID intelligent temperature controller. The mixing power is delivered by a stainless steel screw-lift drying method, featuring low noise, low power requirements, and uniform mixing. The base of the barrel is made of steel, capable of supporting a large weight of plastic materials. An observation window on the barrel allows operators to monitor the drying and mixing process clearly. The low feed port design significantly reduces the labor intensity and difficulty for operators, improving production efficiency. A time relay controls the heating and mixing duration, while a centrifugal fan provides a large volume of hot air, reducing energy loss in the heating section and significantly improving the heating effect.

Vertical Mixing Dryer Product Characteristics:

• Safety Protection: Equipped with an electronic safety protection device to ensure safe operation.
• Stainless Steel Construction: The entire unit is made of stainless steel, resistant to acids, alkalis, and corrosion, with a small footprint, reasonable design, and durable, aesthetically pleasing appearance.
• Dual-layer Barrel Design: (The economical version has a single-layer design.) The inner layer, which contacts the material, is made of stainless steel, with a special insulation material installed in the middle layer.
• Stainless Steel Blades: Scientifically and reasonably designed for optimal raw material mixing with low load, time-saving, and energy-efficient. The stainless steel construction with polished treatment ensures high gloss and easy cleaning.
• Detachable Blades: The blades are detachable, and the mixing chamber is made of stainless steel, making it easy to clean.
• Direct Motor Drive: High mixing efficiency.
• Vertical Design: Takes up minimal space and allows for easy unloading.
• Timer Control: Allows the selection of mixing time between 0-30 minutes.
• Multiple Safety Protections: Ensures the safety of the operator.
• Four-wheel Vertical Design: Compact, mobile, and easy to maneuver.
• Cycloidal Pinwheel Reducer Motor: Low noise, durable.
• Quick and Uniform Mixing: Achieves uniform mixing in a short time with low energy consumption and high efficiency.
• Durable Construction: The barrel cover and base are formed through stamping, making them more durable.
• Simultaneous Mixing and Drying: As the material remains in motion during the drying process, it dries uniformly, with short drying times and minimal clumping.
• Stainless Steel Barrel and Blades: The barrel and mixing components are made of stainless steel.
• Convenient Discharge: The discharge port has a manual valve for easy unloading.
• Safety Interlock: Ensures the safety of the operator.

Vertical Mixing Dryer Maintenance and Operation Guidelines

Inspection Checklist:

• Check for loose mixing blades and ensure proper lubrication.
• Connect the power supply correctly, open the lid, and check for foreign objects in the barrel.
• Ensure the power supply voltage matches the nameplate.
• Perform a no-load test run to check for normal operation and verify the mixing blade rotation direction before starting production.
• Inspect rotating parts for flexibility and remove any foreign objects blocking the main shaft in the barrel.

Operation Instructions:

• Install the machine independently, and secure it with anchor bolts if necessary.
• Pay close attention to the motor’s rotation direction when connecting the three-phase power supply.
• After starting the machine, allow it to run for 2-5 minutes without load to confirm normal operation before feeding materials.
• For mixing and coloring, set the time on the timer, adjust the temperature on the temperature controller, and start the machine. It will stop automatically when the material reaches the set temperature, and can be restarted if necessary.
• For drying, set the required temperature on the temperature controller, and adjust the time for the drying cycle. The machine will stop once the material is adequately dried.
• To stop the machine, switch to the stop mode or press the OFF button.

Maintenance and Care:

• Always disconnect the main power before performing maintenance or repairs.
• Lubricate the bearings with ZL-2 lithium-based grease weekly.
• Clean the parts in contact with materials with white mineral oil or diesel before changing colors.
• If there is an electrical protection fault, have a technician inspect, repair, and resolve the issue before restarting the machine.