Mfd. by Kercher Industries, Inc.
920 Mechanic Street
Lebanon, PA USA 17046
717.273.2111
1.800.447.7351
fax: 717.273.2967
e.mail: info@lancasterprd.com
www.lancasterprd.com

Lancaster^® High Shear K-Series Mixers

Press adjustments and production rates can be changed quickly with our user-friendly computer control system. The production line has automatic homing, machine setup, and fault enunciators to simplify the operation of the Lancaster

What is Counter-Current Mixing?

Lancaster's counter-current mixing action is widely accepted as the most effective mixing technique for consistent uniformity, thoroughness, and rapid mix times. Simply stated, counter-current action occurs when the pan rotates in one direction, while the mixing tools rotate in the other. Processing times can be greatly reduced while providing a more homogenous batch using a Lancaster^® Mixer. The rotating pan conveys material to the counter-rotating, primary mixing rotor, secondary mixing plows, and side wall scraper. These mixing tools are strategically placed to promote maximum material interface. This design allows for increased relative particle velocity and provides countless material exchanges throughout the batch cycle . . . not relying on gravity fall of material.

Lancaster high intensive, or high shear mixers, can handle the full gamut of materials from powders, to slips and slurries, to taffy-like materials with viscosities exceeding well over 1,000,000 CP. Specific process criteria are custom designed into each Lancaster^® Mixer tooling set to address the customer's specific needs. Lancaster Application Engineers design toward many goals, including: mixing cycle times, moisture and air entrainment, particle size distributions, surface draw-down, pumping action and tip speed requirements.

The intensity and type of mixing action can be controlled through the use of various style mixing rotors. A very popular application of the Lancaster^® K-Mixer is to first homogenize a mix and then pelletize or agglomerate the material to form pellets - all in one machine. The K-Mixer can also coat pellets, de-fiber, de-lump, fluff and slurry. In certain applications, the high speed rotor is removed in favor of a slower speed plow system with or without mullers.

Construction

The Lancaster^® K-Series continues the quality, sturdy construction, easy maintenance, and long life, which has been a Lancaster^® tradition for over 70 years.

All Lancaster^® Mixers are made of structurally rigid, fabricated steel construction. They are fabricated as a single unit and can be mounted on four corner pads under the heavy box beam framework.

The mixer pan bottom is supported by a massive ball bearing. The pan is turned by a large machined gear ring which surrounds the pan at its base. This heavy gear ring assures a solid, concentric pan wall and a long gear life. The drive gear pinion is mounted on an easily accessible single unit gear motor. Inside the pan wall and pan bottom are replaceable wear liner segments. Liners are standard equipment on all K-4 and larger mixers.

Another high quality gear drive is mounted on top of the mixer structure. This unit turns the slow speed secondary mixing plows. These wear resistant plows continually sweep the entire surface of the pan bottom. This efficient, slow speed sweeping action prevents material from accumulating on the pan bottom. These plows also provide additional mixing action and faster mixing discharging. A wear resistant, stationary side wall scraper is mounted inside the pan. This scraper prevents build-up of material on the pan wall.

The primary mixing element of all Lancaster^® K-Series mixers is the counter-rotating high speed rotor. The design of this primary mixing rotor will vary depending on the particular process requirements. Rotors are available on a rebuild and exchange maintenance program.

The rotor is driven by an easily accessible V-belt drive system. The drive motor can be single speed, multiple speed or variable speed, depending upon specific processing requirements. The guard, which fully encloses the top portion of the motor and the rotor spindle, is used to deflect forced cooling air from the motor over the pulleys, belts and bearings of the main mixing rotor.

Side skirts and a dust cover fully enclose the rotating mixing pan. The inside of the dust cover is completely flat, nothing protrudes into the pan except the mixing tools. This design allows easy cleaning of the mixing area and also keeps the bearing out of this hostile environment.

Extensive efforts have been taken to eliminate material and dust leakage from the Lancaster^® Mixers. To avoid material leakage, the pan wall is a single piece, machine fabrication. The pan bottom is also a one piece construction, but with a central discharge opening. The opening is surrounded by a machined, tapered seal matching the discharge valve for a tight self-centering seal. The discharge valve assembly can be either air or hydraulically actuated.

The seal between the fixed dust cover and rotating pan skirt consists of two large precision machined rings. One ring forms the top of the pan. The other ring is attached to the bottom of the cover. A groove and rib are machined into these rings, as illustrated at right. This design forms a labyrinth through which any escaping dust must pass. A labyrinth groove is filled with grease or low pressure purge air. An overlapping fixed flap seal also lies inside the seal ring joint. All rotating shafts that penetrate the dust cover are double sealed with grease or air purge between the seals. These features all combine to practically eliminate any dust or material leakage from a Lancaster^® Mixer.

To provide seal and bearing lubrication, all lube lines are routed to easily accessible, centrally located lube blocks. If desired, a fully automatic and self-monitoring lube system can be installed as an option.

Mixers available in capacities from: 1/4 cu.ft. to 210 cu.ft.