Three Things You Need to Know About Laboratory Stirrers and Mixers

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Three Things You Need to Know About Laboratory Stirrers and Mixers

 

1. What is a Laboratory Mixer?

 

A laboratory stirrer or a laboratory mixer is a device often used in laboratories to employ a rotating magnetic field to cause a stir bar or a flea to immerse in a liquid in order to stir very quickly, thus stirring and mixing the mixture of liquid. The rotating field may be created by either a rotating magnet or a set of stationary electromagnets that are placed beneath the vessel with the liquid. Lab stirrers and lab mixers are often used in chemistry and biology, in which they are used inside hermetically closed vessels or systems, without the need of complicated rotary seals.

 

Due to its small size, a lab mixing bar can be cleaned more easily and sterilized compared to other stirring devices. A lab mixing bar does not require lubricants that could contaminate the reaction vessel and the product. Lab mixers may also include a hot plate or some other means for heating the liquid. 

 

2. What are the Benefits using Lab Mixers?

 

  • High Cleanliness Standards
    • Sanitation and cleanliness are some of the most important factors in any laboratory.
    • For this reason, it is important to use an air driven laboratory mixer to maintain high standards of cleanliness.

 

  • Enables Thorough Mixing
    • Before moving to a later stage of production.
    • Most of the ingredients have to go through a thorough process of mixing. Using a laboratory mixer will assist in getting a uniform mixture.

 

  • Provides Improvement in Efficiency
    • Using a laboratory mixer will improve and streamline the efficiency of your operations.
    • Time is money and the more you save time, the more money you will save and maximize profit.

 

  • Lab Mixers have Maximum Flexibility
    • The versatility of the machine will enable you to develop different types of products.
    • The products can be either emulsions, suspensions, lyosols and granular products among others.

 

  • Includes Straightforward Scale Up
    • Scaling up the laboratory mixer is a very simple and easy process.
    • The simplicity in scaling up also shows the ease in the mode of operation.

 

  • Provides User Representative Results
    • You are sure of getting a representative result from all types of mixtures.
    • This will include results from the smallest quantities of products.

 

  • Ensures Maximum Safety
    • Using a laboratory mixer will guarantee the safety of the user from dangerous and corrosive elements.
    • It is also safer to use as you are sure of no contamination.

 

3. What are the Types of Laboratory Stirrers and Mixers available?

 

A. Vortex Mixer

  • Also known as a vortexer
  • It is a very simple device that you can use to mix small vials of liquids in a laboratory.
  • A vortex mixer can be used for: 
    • Suspension of cells in a microbiology or cell culture laboratory
    • Mixing reagents of assays in analytical or biochemical laboratory
  • A vortex mixer comes with an electric motor and a drive shaft with a vertical orientation.

 

B. Laboratory Conical Mixer

  • This type of mixer is used to mix different elements like fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals
  • One has to use it for homogenizing bulk solids and powders that are sensitive in nature
  • This is a gentle mixer with very minimal power consumption

 

C. Ribbon mixer

  • Ribbon mixers or blenders have horizontal U-shaped troughs with a special ribbon agitator.
  • The ribbon agitator has outer and inner helical agitators.
  • As the inner ribbon moves the material in one direction, the outer ribbon will move it to the opposite direction.
  • The ribbons move at a specific speed that will make sure a thorough and uniform mixture.

 

D. Magnetic Stirrers

  • Commonly known as a magnetic mixer
  • A magnetic stirrer employs the use of a magnetic field to spin a stir bar and make a uniform mixture.
  • One can use it in a hermetic vessel with a complete seal without using complicated rotary seals.
  • Magnetic stirrers are a commonly used machine as they are more efficient and quieter.
  • Lack of moving external parts also avoids any damages on the other parts of the device.

 

E. Multi-functional Laboratory Mixer

  • A multi-functional laboratory mixer has four functions, which are: –
    • Mixing
      • The multifunctional laboratory mixer will help to combine and put together different substances.
      • The end product of the combination will be a uniform mixture.
    • Homogenizing
      • You can use this machine to blend diverse elements to form a uniform mixture.
      • It will help in making a uniform solution of two insoluble liquids or elements.
    • Dissolving
      • You can use the machine to incorporate a solid to form a uniform mixture in a liquid.
      • You will be able to achieve a consistent solution.
    • Disintegrating
      • The machine can also assist you in breaking different elements into very small units.

 

F. High Shear Lab Mixing Machine

  • High shear lab mixing machine can transport or disperse different phases of ingredients into a continuous phase.
  • This mixing machine concentrates the mixing process in ingredients that would usually be immiscible.
  • The machine employs the use of different parts like the rotor and stator in order to obtain a uniform mixture.
  • You can use a high shear lab mixing machine to create suspensions, emulsions, granular products, and lyosols.
  • It is a common equipment that is often used in the chemical, adhesive, food, cosmetic, plastic and pharmaceutical industries.

 

Now that you have read about these three things, you might have a better understanding at laboratory mixers and stirrers now. Plasmost Enterprise Sdn Bhd offers a range of lab stirrers and mixers that are of excellent quality and will ensure quality results for their customers to purchase and use.