Cement concrete mixer is a machine that mixes cement, sand and gravel aggregates and water to make concrete mixture. It is mainly composed of mixing drum, feeding and unloading mechanism, water supply system, prime mover, transmission mechanism, frame and supporting device. It is an indispensable equipment in the construction industry, used to efficiently mix cement, aggregates, water and additives to produce high-quality concrete. These machines have completely changed the way we prepare concrete, replacing the traditional manual mixing method using shallow boxes and shovels. Mixers are divided into intermittent (batch) and continuous types according to the nature of work; self-falling and forced types according to the mixing principle; fixed and mobile types according to the installation method; tilting and non-tilting types according to the discharging method; pear type, drum type, double cone, disc vertical shaft type and circular groove horizontal shaft type ribbon type according to the mixing drum structure. Let's take a detailed look at the comparison between cement pan mixer and ribbon mixer.
So What is a Cement pan mixer? How does it work?
Pan Mixer This type of concrete mixer is often called a pan mixer or round mixer due to its round mixing pan. The round mixing pan is mounted horizontally on a wheeled frame for easy mobility. One of its advantages is its ability to mix an extremely uniform concrete mixture. In addition, pan mixers can be used to mix a variety of concrete mixtures, such as dry and wet mixes, mortar, plaster, and refractory materials. However, its smaller mixing capacity compared to other types of mixers is one of its main disadvantages. They may not be suitable for large construction projects that require large-capacity mixing equipment. Cement pan mixers are able to force concrete to be mixed thoroughly. Unlike other mixers, pan mixers work by rotating a round pan, and fixed blades push the concrete material down in a circular motion to ensure uniform mixing. This design not only improves the thoroughness of mixing, but also allows for efficient mixing of colors and easier cleaning of the pan, which is essential for projects that focus on precision and aesthetics.
Features of Cement Pan Mixer
Choosing a pan mixer can significantly improve the quality and efficiency of your construction projects, especially when precision and consistency are important.
- Even Mixing: The fixed mixing blades are strategically positioned to ensure an even, homogeneous mix, which is essential for structural integrity.
- Efficient Color Mixing: For projects that require a specific color of concrete, pan mixers provide superior mixing capabilities, ensuring an even distribution of color throughout the mix.
- Easy Pot Cleaning: The pan mixer design simplifies cleaning, reducing downtime and maintenance. The smooth, flat surface of the pan is easy to clean, ensuring that residue from previous batches does not affect subsequent mixes.
The structure of cement pan mixer
A pan concrete mixer is a complex piece of equipment that consists of several different parts, each with its own specific function. Some of the main parts of a concrete mixer include:
- Mixing pan: The mixing pan is the container used to mix the ingredients and is usually made of a durable material such as steel or other metal. The blades inside the pan rotate at a controlled speed to mix the ingredients to achieve the desired quality of concrete.
Some mixers have mixing pans that can be tilted and removed to facilitate pouring of the mixed concrete. Mixing pans are available in a variety of sizes; the specific size depends on the motor power to achieve the desired amount of concrete ingredients. - Motor: The motor provides the power to rotate the blades. Depending on the mixer, the motor can be electric or diesel-powered.
- Drive system: The drive system is responsible for transmitting the power of the motor to the blades inside the drum. It usually includes gears, belts, or other mechanical components to transmit the power of the motor to the drum.
- Mixing head: The mixing head holds the rotating blades inside the mixing drum. It is equipped with a control lever to adjust the height of the blades according to the volume and expected quality of the mixed concrete. The mixing head can be easily lifted to facilitate easy access to the mixing pan.
- Safety guards: Safety guards protect the operator and other people on the construction site from the moving parts of the mixer.
They are usually located around the moving parts of the mixer to prevent accidents. Portable pan mixers are equipped with rubber wheels for easy movement. These rubber wheels also have a shock-absorbing effect to protect the ground from vibrations when the mixer is in use. - Control Panel: The control panel is used to control various functions of the mixer, such as starting and stopping the motor, adjusting the rotation speed of the blades, controlling the flow of ingredients into the drum, etc.
All of these parts work together to make a concrete mixer work properly. The drum rotates at high speeds, mixing the various ingredients to produce a uniform, consistent, high-quality concrete mixture.
Working principle of cement concrete pan mixer
Concrete pan mixers use a fixed drum and a set of rotating blades to mix the concrete ingredients together. The blades are driven by an electric motor or diesel engine to stir the mixture and ensure a uniform mix. A scraper is suspended near the inner wall of the mixing pan at a certain angle to scrape off the concrete that tends to stick inside the mixer. At the end of the mixing process, the mixing head is lifted up and the mixing pan is adjusted to the required angle and height for emptying. The mixing process begins with loading the ingredients into the mixing pan. The mixing head is placed on top of the mixing pan and the blade height is adjusted accordingly. The motor is then started, which drives the blades to rotate and stir the mixture. As the blades rotate, the ingredients are pulled towards the center of the mixing drum and mixed together. The speed and duration of the mixing process depends on the type of concrete being mixed and the specific requirements of the project. Safety precautions when using a concrete mixer include proper operator training, the use of safety gear such as hard hats and steel-toed boots, and regular maintenance and inspections to ensure that the mixer is in good working condition. It is also vital to keep the mixing area clean and free of debris and ensure that the mixer is operated in a well-ventilated area.
What is a Cement Ribbon Mixer? Structure, Working Principle.
A cement ribbon mixer is an industrial mixer commonly used for mixing dry powders and granules. It features a long horizontal trough with a central shaft on which two or more spiral ribbons (or agitators) are mounted. The ribbons rotate at different speeds, causing the material in the trough to be pulled in different directions. This allows the material to be fully mixed in the mixer. The horizontal ribbon mixer powder mixer consists of a "U" shaped trough with a rotating double helical ribbon agitator installed inside. The agitator's shaft is located in the center of the trough and is welded with spokes to which the spiral ribbons are welded. Since the agitator consists of a set of inner and outer spiral ribbons, it is called a "double" spiral ribbon agitator.
Principle of Cement Ribbon Mixer
The powder mixer is driven by a drive system consisting of a motor, a coupling and a gearbox. For the mixing of 70-14000 kg of materials, a motor of 2.2 kW to 75 kW is usually used. The two ends of the mixing shaft pass through the end plates fixed or welded on the mixing container and extend out of the mixing container. A sealing device is provided at the connection between the mixing shaft and the container to ensure that the material does not flow out of the container to the outside. During the mixing process, the outer spiral ribbon moves the material from the two ends to the center, while the inner spiral ribbon moves the material from the center to the two ends. The rotational movement of the spiral ribbon realizes the radial movement of the material. The difference in the circumferential speed of the outer spiral ribbon and the inner spiral ribbon causes the material to move axially along the axis of the mixer. Due to the synergistic effect of these movements, uniform mixing can be achieved in a short time. The efficiency of the mixer depends on the particle size, density and quantity. After mixing, the material is discharged from the discharge valve located at the bottom of the trough. Depending on the material situation, the discharge valve can be equipped with any type of valve, such as sliding gate valve, butterfly valve. The valve operation can be manual or automatic.
Cement Ribbon Mixer Application
- Cement concrete
- Mixing of large quantities of dry solids.
- Dry mixing of capsule formulations.
- Cooling, drying, heating of materials.
- Chemical mixing.
Features of Cement Ribbon Mixer
- Scope of application: The ribbon mixer is suitable for stirring high-viscosity liquids (200-500 Pa·S) and pseudo-plastic fluids, usually operated in a laminar state.
- Structural features: The outer diameter of the ribbon is equal to the pitch, which enables the mixer to effectively mix materials during the stirring process.
- Application scenarios: The ribbon mixer is widely used in the fields of chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries, especially when non-viscous materials need to be efficiently mixed.
Comparison between Cement Pan Mixer and Ribbon Mixer
Structural design comparison
Ribbon mixer
Usually composed of double or triple layers of spiral blades, the outer layer of the ribbon brings the material from both sides to the center, and the inner layer of the ribbon pushes the material in the opposite direction to form convection mixing. Its structure is simple and suitable for high-viscosity materials (such as fresh concrete), but there may be a blind spot at the bottom, and it is necessary to improve the uniformity by discarding the initial discharge.
Pan mixer
Adopting a planetary mixing system, the blades are arranged at a vertical or inclined angle, and the material is pushed to the main mixer by a scraper. Its annular groove design forces the material to flow, the blades cover a wide range, and the mixing is more uniform, which is especially suitable for the fine mixing of high-performance concrete (such as UHPC).
Mixing efficiency and uniformity
Ribbon Mixer
The mixing efficiency is greatly affected by the initial loading method and the speed. The efficiency is relatively high when loading in layers, but the bottom outlet is prone to form a blind spot; increasing the speed can shorten the mixing time, but it is necessary to balance energy consumption and mixing quality.
Pan mixer
The planetary mixing system achieves three-dimensional mixing, with adjustable blade angle and speed, which can quickly disperse cement and admixtures to avoid agglomeration. Its open design facilitates monitoring of material flow and better mixing uniformity, especially suitable for high-performance concrete with low water-cement ratio.
Applicable scenarios
Ribbon Mixer
It is suitable for mass production of medium-to-high viscosity materials (such as fresh concrete and mortar), and is commonly used in building materials, fertilizer processing and other fields. However, it has weaker adaptability to special concretes with high fluidity requirements (such as self-compacting concrete).
Pan mixer
Designed specifically for high-performance concrete (such as UHPC, SCC), it can handle powdered materials containing a large amount of fine particles and has outstanding performance in energy saving. By optimizing the formula, it can save 10% of cement and admixture usage.
Design Advantages Comparison
| Comparison Item | Ribbon Mixer | Pan Mixer |
| Applicable Viscosity | Medium to high viscosity (50–500 Pa·s) | Wide range (including low-viscosity, high-performance cement concrete) |
| Mixing Uniformity | Blind zones at the bottom; filling needs optimization | Full area coverage with high uniformity |
| Energy Consumption | High dependence on speed; relatively high energy use | Variable frequency drive, significant energy-saving potential |
| Application Industries | Building materials, fertilizer, chemical industry | High-end cement concrete precast, specialty building materials |
Frequently asked questions
The mix ratio of a cement mixer varies depending on the specific application and the type of mix being prepared. However, a common mix ratio for a standard concrete mix is about 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, and 3 parts aggregate (gravel or crushed stone). The specific ratio can be adjusted based on factors such as the required strength, specific project requirements, and the type of cement used.
The role of a cement mixer in construction is to mix the various ingredients of concrete or cement-based materials efficiently and stably. It ensures that cement, sand, aggregates and water are thoroughly mixed to form a homogeneous mixture with good workability and strength. This mixture can be used for various construction purposes such as pouring foundations, building walls, laying floor slabs, paving roads, etc. Compared with manual mixing, cement mixers save time and manpower and ensure the quality and consistency of the mixture.
Cement mortar is a mixture of cement, sand and water that is used in various construction applications to bind building materials such as bricks, blocks and stones together. Some common uses of cement mortar include:
Brick and block laying: Cement mortar is used to bind bricks and blocks together when building interior and exterior walls. It provides structural stability and helps to build strong walls.
Plastering: Cement mortar is used as a primer for plastering walls and ceilings. It provides a smooth and even surface for the application of decorative topcoats.
Masonry work: Cement mortar is used for masonry work such as stone or concrete blocks. It helps to build strong and durable masonry structures.
Pointing: Pointing is the process of filling the gaps between bricks or stones with cement mortar. This helps to improve the aesthetics of the building and prevent moisture penetration.
Repair work: Cement mortar is used to repair cracks, holes and damaged parts of concrete or masonry structures.
Tile fixing: Cement mortar acts as an adhesive to fix ceramic, ceramic or stone tiles to surfaces such as floors and walls.
Pavement and access road construction: Cement mortar is used to lay paving stones or bricks to form sidewalks, walkways and driveways.
Structural repair: In some cases, cement mortar is used for structural repair and reinforcement, especially when local reinforcement is required.
Cement mortar provides the bonding and adhesive properties required for building construction, ensuring that various building components are firmly connected together. It is a basic material in the construction industry due to its wide range of uses.
Yes, you can customize concrete mixers to meet specific construction project needs. The customization process is adjusted according to industry trends to ensure accuracy and efficiency. It is important to ensure that the machine functions in line with the technical requirements of the project.
When operating a concrete mixer, strict safety regulations must be followed, including comprehensive operator training and established emergency procedures. This ensures your safety while ensuring the machine performs optimally and minimizing potential hazards.
You are considering the environmental impact of your concrete mixer. To minimize these impacts, explore recycling opportunities and integrate renewable energy. This approach will not only reduce emissions, but also conserve resources, making your operations more sustainable and efficient.
Conclusion
The success of any construction project depends on choosing the right concrete mixer. Each type of mixer—rig, twin-shaft, continuous, pan, or ribbon—offers unique benefits based on variables such as project size, mix specifications, and operating efficiency. To achieve high-quality, efficient, and economical concrete mixing, carefully evaluate the specific requirements of your project and understand the performance of each mixer to select the best option.
