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Should An Operation Upgrade To A Sigma Mixer?

23 June 2023

Sam Gomez

Using a Sigma mixer is a sign that a company takes the industrial scale of its operations seriously. Not every application calls for one, but you need to know when your operation should make the investment. Here is how to tell if your company needs this style of mixer.

Mixing High-Viscosity Materials 

Generally, a Sigma mixer helps an operation mix high-viscosity materials at relatively slow speeds. These tend to be industrial-scale batches. Also, the company doing the mixing usually doesn't want a chopper or similar system involved. The contents in the mixer typically require both transverse and lateral motion during the mixing process.

Notably, there are multiple styles of blades for the job. Each blade produces a different action so you can usually find a setup that's right for your company's needs.

Example Application

It is far from the only example, but industrial-scale bread kneading is a common application. Companies use Sigma mixers to take a material that's not inherently very fluid, in this case, bread dough, and push and pull them until they reach specified consistencies.

If you've ever made bread dough by hand, it's easy to picture how this process is hard on industrial-scale equipment. Even many industrial-grade mixers will fail quickly because the components can't handle the strain. Parts wear out quickly, and the only solution is to use a purpose-built mixer of significant size that can handle the job day in and day out for years.

Other Applications

While you will see a Sigma mixer at many food processing plants, it's not the only application. Companies that make thick adhesives often employ these mixers to achieve the desired consistencies without straining the equipment. Chemical manufacturers also use them because they need to achieve precise mixtures. Sealants, putties, plastics, explosives, and even powdered metals all go through these mixers.

Signs You Need a Sigma Mixer

The most obvious sign is that your current hardware is just dying while doing the job. If you're regularly replacing equipment or components, there's a good chance you should upgrade to a Sigma mixer. Likewise, anyone that's already using one may need to look at a bigger model or a system that uses a different blade configuration.

You might also have hardware that's holding up but doesn't provide enough capacity. To scale up, you may need a Sigma mixer to have enough power to mix that much high-viscosity material. Especially if you don't have more room to add your current type of unit, a Sigma mixer can save space, time, and labor.

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