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Butterfly Disperser Mixer
Butterfly Disperser Mixer for High Viscosity Materials
The butterfly disperser mixer is designed for dispersing and mixing medium-to-high viscosity and thixotropic materials. It combines a butterfly-shaped mixing blade with a high-speed dispersing disc to effectively mix, disperse, and dissolve substances like gypsum, putty, and adhesives. The machine features variable speed control and can be customized with scrapers to improve product quality.
What exactly is a Butterfly Disperser Mixer?
A butterfly disperser mixer (or butterfly mixer or dual shaft disperser) is a contemporary industrial mixing apparatus which is specially created for the treatment of materials with medium to high viscosity. Its operation consists of a low-speed butterfly agitator with a PTFE scraper and a high-speed disperser disc, and both working together make it very effective in the three interrelated processes of dispersion, mixing, and homogenization.
In contrast with single-shaft mixers of the old type, the butterfly dispersing mixer is able to take care of thixotropic materials with a viscosity of up to 1,000,000 cps and thus it is the perfect choice for highly demanding and tough coatings, lithium battery, ink, adhesive, and construction industries applications.
The Dual-Shaft Technology
Butterfly agitator + high-speed disperser cooperating for maximum efficiency.
The PTFE Scraper System
It keeps on taking material away from the tank walls on a continuous basis thus ensuring 100% mixing participation.
The Vacuum Capability
The optional vacuum system gets rid of air bubbles and reaches -0.098MPa (20mbar).
The High Linear Speed
Disperser tip speed reaches 25m/s at the most for quick particle size reduction.
Butterfly Mixing System Essential Parts
01 Butterfly Mixing Blade
The Low-speed mixing paddle (0-60 rpm) or semi circular butterfly paddle with PTFE wall scrapers will continuously remove the product from the walls of the vessel to prevent dead zones.
02 Disperser Saw Disc
0-1500rpm sawtooth dispersing disc, operating under high-speed conditions provided high-shear mixing zones for particle size reduction and good dispersion.
03 Mixing Vessel (Change Can)
Manufactured from SS304/316L stainless steel with optional heating/cooling jacket. The removable change-can design allows for quick product change-overs.
04 Hydraulic Lift & VFD Control System
A controlled air-oil hydraulic system allows the agitator head to adjust up and down smoothly. Independent VFDs for each shaft allow precise RPM control for specific process conditions.
Butterfly Mixer for High Viscosity Features
Multi-Function Design
The machine is capable of performing three different processes, i.e. dispersing, mixing, and scraping, all at once. This results in a maximum efficiency.
Dual Shaft System
The butterfly mixer and disperser can be operated independently, thus allowing for a flexible control of the entire process.
No Dead Zones
The wall scraper design not only prevents the accumulation of material but also guarantees the mixing to be consistent throughout.
PLC Control
Smart automation comes with recipe management and process monitoring.
Double Guide Lift
The hydraulic lifting system is designed to be stable, and thus it is safe and smooth for operation.
Energy Efficient
The use of variable frequency drives leads to a reduction in power consumption, and consequently, lower operating costs.
Technical Specifications
IDA butterfly disperser mixer technical parameters for industrial applications
| Parameter | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Working Capacity | 10L – 5000L | Customizable according to the needs |
| Viscosity Range | 100,000 – 2,000,000 cps | Perfect for high viscosity substances |
| Solid Content | Up to 80% | Ideal for extremely thick pastes and slurries |
| Vacuum Capability | -0.07MPa / 29.5″ Hg | Vacuum butterfly disperser is optional |
| Speed Control | Variable Frequency | Continuous speed regulation |
| Disperser Speed | 0 – 1500 rpm | High-speed dispersing disc |
| Butterfly Speed | 0 – 60 rpm | Low-speed mixing blade |
| Material Options | SS304 / SS316L | Stainless steel in contact with the parts |
| Temperature Control | Heating/Cooling Jacket | Optional thermal management system |
| Safety Certification | CE, ATEX (optional) | Explosion-proof version available |
The Working Principle of the Butterfly Disperser Mixer
To comprehend how the dual-shaft disperser achieves superior mixing performance for high-viscosity materials.Low-Speed Butterfly Mixing STEP 01
On low speed (0-60RPM), the three-blade butterfly agitator exerts both axial and radial material-flow, turning and folding the material throughout the vessel so that circulation is complete in even the most viscous paste maintained up to one million centipoises.
High-Speed Dispersion STEP 02
The high-speed disc of an edge has sawtooth design serrations for working up to 1,500 RPM to make high shear. This will assist in destroying flocs and dispersing most solid particles into the liquid medium-precisely what is needed for a fine dispersion that is highly crucial for coating, inks, and adhesive quality.
The double-action troublemakers work together The butterfly team scrapes the material into the disperser zone while constant purging actions of the PTFE scrapers keep cleaning the vessel walls. This all means no dead spots, uniform temperature and product quality across batches.
Types of Butterfly Disperser Mixers
The various dispersing butterfly mixer appliances have different configurations to cater to different viscosity ranges, process needs, and production volumes.
10L Fully Explosion-Proof Laboratory Butterfly Mixer
This is a compact butterfly mixer for laboratories designed for research and development (R&D) functions, with a fully explosion-proof system. It is excellent for environments where there are flammable and explosive materials.
Key Features
Specifications
| Effective Volume | 10L |
| Motor Type | Full Explosion Proof |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Application | Lab R&D, Formula Testing |
30L PLC Controlled Hydraulic Lifting Butterfly Mixer
This is a 30L medium-size butterfly mixer. It comes with a PLC intelligent control system and a hydraulic lift for automated operation control.
Key Features
Specifications
| Effective Volume | 30L |
| Control System | PLC Touch Screen |
| Dispersing Speed | 0-1450 rpm |
| Lifting Method | Hydraulic |
30L Full Stainless Steel Electric Lifting Butterfly Mixer
30L stainless steel butterfly mixer with electric lifting system. Exceptional corrosion resistance. Designed for high quality sanitary applications.
Key Features
Specifications
| Effective Volume | 30L |
| Materials | Full Stainless Steel |
| Lift Mechanism | Electric |
| Optional | Jacket, Vacuum System |
1000L Vacuum Butterfly Double-Shaft Mixer
A large-scale production-grade butterfly mixer with double-shaft mixing structure and a vacuum system. Suitable for industrial batch production of materials within medium to high viscosity range.
Key Features
Specifications
| Effective Volume | 1000L |
| Disp. Power | 30 kW |
| Mix Power | 22 kW |
| Vacuum Degree | ≤-0.09 MPa |
1000L Explosion Proof Vacuum Butterfly Double Shaft Mixer
Designed for production environments that require safety around potentially combustible and explosive mixtures, maintaining industry standards for safety and mixing excellence.
Key Features
Specifications
| Effective Volume | 1000L |
| Rating | EXDIIBT6 |
| Motors | 30kW Disp / 22kW Mix |
| Vacuum Degree | ≤-0.09 MPa |
Butterfly Disperser Mixer Interactive Tools
Professional calculation and selection tools to help you find the perfect IDA butterfly mixer solution for your production requirements.Smart Equipment Configurator
Find your ideal butterfly mixer in 4 simple steps| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | IDA-BDM-500 |
| Total Capacity | 600L |
| Working Capacity | 500L |
| Disperser Speed | 0-1500 rpm |
| Butterfly Speed | 0-60 rpm |
| Disperser Motor | 22 kW |
| Butterfly Motor | 7.5 kW |
| Vacuum Degree | -0.07 MPa |
| Material | SS304 |
| Control System | VFD + PLC |
Viscosity Application Matcher
Match material viscosity to industrial applicationsROI Investment Calculator
Calculate your return on investment for equipment upgrade* Estimates based on industry averages. Actual results may vary.
Butterfly Mixing Machine Challenges & Our Solutions
The Butterfly disperser mixer from IDA, helps solve some of the tough problems faced by you while working with viscous materials.
Problem of Choosing Equipment
You are often faced with the problem of selecting the correct equipment. Are you confused about the difference between a planetary mixer and a butterfly mixer?
For equipment selection and planning, our engineers offer a complimentary consultation, After studying the material properties, viscosity levels, and your production goals, we propose the best suited butterfly disperser configuration for your process.
Working With High Viscosity Materials
Most industrial mixers tend to overlook the problems associated with materials with a viscosity level of 500,000 cps and more. The result of such mixers is incomplete dispertion and sub standard mixing.
The low speed butterfly and the high speed disperser of our dual shaft disperser design work in unison to manage and process materials with viscosity levels of 1,000,000 cps. The vacuum butterfly mixer variant removes air bubbles resulting in a mixed product of superior quality.
Limitations of Production Capacity
The current systems in place are at peak operational efficiency, and this to a sub standard level. Thus the systems fail to achieve the objectives of the production goals. There is a requirement of more work to be done without compromising on quality.
The system is designed to offer the user two different services, dispersing and mixing. The system is designed to vary between 10L and 5000L. Frequency control is adjustable to optimize the cycle times. After consulting you regarding the upgrade of equipment, we can assist you with your ROI.
Inconsistent Quality
Each product batch has inconsistent quality. Mixing vessel has dead zones and materials that stick to the wall.
Wall and bottom scrapers remove dead zones. The exclusive butterfly blade design guarantees full turnover of materials. PLC intelligent control ensures the same parameters every time.
Trusting Supplier
Questions about reliability and quality about the manufacturer. Need proof of professional standards and certifications.
Manufacturing with CE and ISO certification. Over 15 years of experience. Available factory video tours. Customer references for more than 50 countries. Direct contact and open company data.
Concerns about After-Sales
Fears about the maintenance, the availability of spare parts, and the technical support for the international purchases.
Detailed technical documentation. Remote support for troubleshooting. Spare parts ready for global shipping. On-site training and installation. An after-sales engineering team.
Butterfly Mixer vs Other Industrial Mixers
Objective comparison to assist in understanding the right choice of a butterfly disperser mixer versus alternative mixing technologies.
Butterfly Disperser vs Planetary Mixer
| Factor | Butterfly Disperser Mixer | Planetary Mixer |
|---|---|---|
| Viscosity Range | 100,000 – 1,500,000 cps | 500,000 – 2,000,000+ cps |
| Mixing Action | Fixed axis, dual shaft rotation | Planetary rotation (revolves + rotates) |
| Best For | Medium-high viscosity with dispersion needs | Ultra-high viscosity pastes |
| Investment Cost | $$ – $$$ | $$$ – $$$$ |
| Cleaning Ease | Easier (change can design) | More complex (fixed vessel) |
| Dispersion Quality | Excellent (high-speed disc) | Good (relies on planetary motion) |
Choose butterfly disperser mixer when you need both high viscosity handling AND fine dispersion (paints, inks, sealants). Choose planetary mixer for ultra-high viscosity materials (>1.5M cps) where dispersion is secondary to mixing.
Dual Shaft vs Single Shaft High Speed Disperser
| Factor | Dual Shaft (Butterfly) Disperser | Single Shaft High Speed Disperser |
|---|---|---|
| Viscosity Range | Up to 1,500,000 cps | Up to 50,000 cps |
| Material Turnover | Excellent (wall scraper) | Limited in viscous materials |
| Mixing Uniformity | Excellent | Good for low viscosity only |
| Investment Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Processing Time | Faster for viscous materials | Fast for thin materials |
| Wall Scraping | Built-in PTFE scrapers | Not available |
Choose dual shaft disperser for medium to high viscosity materials (>50,000 cps) or when wall scraping is needed. Single shaft HSD is cost-effective for low viscosity applications only.
Industrial Butterfly Mixer Applications
Butterfly mixers that are versatile for industrial use are all-purpose and can be found in a variety of industries where medium to high viscosity materials processing is a must.
Paint & Coatings Industry
- Architectural latex paints and emulsion coatings
- Automotive OEM and refinish coatings
- Industrial protective coatings
- Marine and anti-corrosion coatings
- High-solid content coatings (60%+ solids)
Key Benefits: Efficient pigment dispersion, consistent color, reduced grinding time by 30-40%
Printing Ink Manufacturing
- Offset lithographic inks
- UV-curable inks and coatings
- Water-based flexographic inks
- Digital inkjet inks
- Screen printing inks
Key Benefits: Fine pigment dispersion, consistent viscosity, vacuum degassing option
Sealant & Adhesive Production
- Silicone sealants (RTV, neutral cure)
- Polyurethane (PU) sealants and adhesives
- MS polymer hybrid sealants
- Structural adhesives and epoxies
- Construction sealants and caulks
Key Benefits: Vacuum degassing, high viscosity handling up to 1.5M cps, clean discharge
Putty & Filler Production
- Wall putty and skim coats
- Automotive body fillers
- Wood fillers and patching compounds
- Industrial gap fillers
- Tile adhesives and grouts
Key Benefits: High solid content mixing (80%+), smooth paste consistency, wall scraping
Battery & New Energy
- Lithium-ion cathode slurry (NMC, LFP)
- Anode slurry (graphite, silicon)
- Solid-state battery materials
- Conductive paste and adhesives
- Electrode coating materials
Key Benefits: Homogeneous dispersion, vacuum operation, temperature control, clean room compatible
Additional Industries
Key Benefits: FDA/cGMP options available, sanitary design, easy cleaning
How to Choose the Right Butterfly Mixer
A comprehensive guide illustrating the selection of a butterfly disperser mixer that is suitable for your unique production and process needs.
5 Key Factors in Butterfly Mixer Selection
At processing temperature, find the viscosity range of your materials or estimate the range. Also, take into account viscosity alterations that happen during mixing (temperature changes, powder addition, shear, and so on).
To make sure the mixer has enough performance margin, pick one that is rated for 20-30% higher than your maximum expected viscosity.
From the production plan, storage space, and material shelf life, give the volume of the batch that is going to be less than the optimum. The working capacity is often 70-80% of the whole vessel’s volume.
For very viscous materials, limit the filling level to 70%. This will give room for the materials’ rising during mixing and, consequently, prevent overflow.
Think about any special requirements: Vacuum? (sealants, adhesives) Temperature control? (hot melt, cooling sensitive) Explosion-proof? (solvents, flammables) Sanitary? (food, pharma)
If processing sealants or adhesives, vacuum capability is almost always necessary for bubble-free products.
Pick construction materials according to your product: SS304 suits most applications. Use SS316L for corrosive materials. Hastelloy/Titanium for aggressive chemicals. PTFE scrapers for most materials.
When in doubt, specify SS316L – the cost difference is minor compared to potential corrosion issues.
Don’t just consider the initial price, look at the total cost of ownership: Energy efficiency, maintenance costs, spare parts availability, expected life, and profits all contribute to the actual value. Get ROI calculated for 5-10 years equipment life.
A quality dual shaft disperser typically pays for itself within 18-24 months through productivity gains and reduced batch failures.
Our engineering team offers free consultation to help you determine the optimal butterfly mixer configuration for your specific application. We can also arrange trial mixing at our facility.
Butterfly Disperser Mixer Success with Customers
Strategies d’intégration de disperser mixers butterfly. Proven Results Across Industries for over 15 years.
Escalation of Automotive Paint Production
Background: A mid-size automotive paint manufacturer ($45M revenue) needed to scale up for new contracts with 3 major automakers requiring specialty metallic and pearl effect paints.
- Insufficient Mixing: Legacy equipment capped at 500L batches.
- High Viscosity: Overheating occurred at 800,000 cps.
- Quality Issues: 12% rejection rate due to color inconsistency.
- Cycle Time: Slow 4-5 hour process per batch.
- Damage: High-shear damaged metallic flakes.
Model BDM-2000 Dual Shaft Butterfly Disperser
- Capacity: 2000L working capacity with twin-shaft layout.
- Drive: 45kW High-torque motor (VFD) for 1.5M cps viscosity.
- Blade: Customized low-shear paddle for metallic flakes.
- Control: PLC system for batch traceability.
- Temp: Integrated jacket with ±2°C precision.
Optimizing Offset Ink Production
Background: A specialized manufacturer of high performance offset printing inks. New UV curable ink formulations required equipment upgrades.
- Dispersion: Fineness stuck at 15-20 microns (Target: <10).
- UV Processing: Could not cool effectively for UV photoinitiators.
- Efficiency: Long 6-8 hour cycle times constrained capacity.
- Reliability: 15% production time lost to breakdowns.
Model TSM-1000 Twin Shaft Mixer Disperser
- Cooling: Advanced chill water jacket (< 15°C).
- Blade: Proprietary sawtooth blade (40% faster breakdown).
- Vacuum: In-built system (-0.08 MPa) for deaeration.
- Monitoring: In-line Grind Gauge for real-time measurement.
Silicone Sealant Production Upgrade
Background: A leading manufacturer of silicone sealants facing expansion limits due to moisture sensitivity and high viscosity formulations.
- Waste: 8-10% batch loss due to moisture contamination.
- Bubbles: Inadequate vacuum in old system (-0.05 MPa).
- Viscosity: >1.2M cps materials required manual intervention.
- Dispersion: Unblended filler causing inconsistent extrusion.
Model VBM-3000 Vacuum Butterfly Mixer
- Vacuum: Deep vacuum (-0.095 MPa) with moisture trap.
- Atmosphere: Full Nitrogen (N₂) blanketing system.
- Viscosity: Handles 2,000,000 cps with wall scraper.
- Powder: Vacuum sub-surface induction (dust-free).
Battery Slurry Mixing (Li-Ion)
Background: Scaling from pilot to commercial manufacturing for Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) cells. Precision and cleanliness are paramount.
- Quality: Particle agglomeration and binder issues.
- Stability: Slurry settling in 4-6 hours.
- Contamination: Metal contamination causing internal shorts.
- Efficiency: Slow 8-10 hour mixing cycles.
Model BSM-2500 Battery Slurry Mixer
- Design: Dual shaft disperser + planetary mixer combo.
- Material: Ceramic-coated SS & Tungsten Carbide (No metal contact).
- Cooling: Precision ±1°C for PVDF dissolution.
- Degassing: In-line vacuum chambers.
PU Sealants Production Line Upgrade
Background: A family-owned PU adhesive manufacturer. Aging equipment struggled with evolving demands, safety risks, and efficiency.
- Safety: Isocyanate exposure risks during manual addition.
- Quality: Incomplete reactions causing adhesion failures.
- Efficiency: High labor (3 operators) and slow changeovers.
- Moisture: CO₂ bubbles causing package bulging.
Model PUM-1500 PU Mixing System
- Safety: Closed-loop automated material transfer.
- Mixing: High-shear + anchor agitator for full reaction.
- Atmosphere: Dry nitrogen purge (< 50 ppm moisture).
- Efficiency: Automated CIP reducing changeover to < 45 mins.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a butterfly disperser, and how does the butterfly mixer work?
A butterfly disperser is a type of mixing and dispersing equipment geared by a butterfly agitation mechanism, usually made of a disk moving up and down in close connection and close to another wall with a stirrer connected to a set of rotating shafts-or more, to facilitate such strong shear and scratching in a fixed direction of circulation. The job of a complex butterfly blade deflector, often combined with a dispersing disc or high-speed disperser attachment, is spawned when pigment, filler, and other additives are successfully dispersed into solvents such as ink, adhesive, sealant, and lithium battery slurry. The butterfly dissolver could be further customized with possibilities of scrapers, vacuum, or explosion-proof options to suit the production process requirements.
How does the butterfly mixer deal with high-viscosity and half-viscosity materials?
A butterfly-type mixer is directed at processing high viscosity materials using a low-speed butterfly disc to circulate material and an optional high-speed dispersing disc for high shear. By simultaneously blending materials with low-speed mixing from a dissolver disc and unscreened instant shear mixing from a dispensing disc, butterfly mixing excels at achieving premixer- and disperser-type functionality at the cost of two surface mixers. Dual-shaft or twin-shaft configurations are termed in the terminology of the present invention as a butterfly dispersing mixer, with one shaft designated for gentle mixing and wall scraping and the other for more intense shearing.
What role can a butterfly disperser play in managing the different viscosities and rheological properties of various thixotropic materials?
It is. It has been designed well, keeping in mind the requirement for processing the specification like various viscosities and thixotropic materials. Using such dispersive discs was tailored for the media and thin viscosities; high shaft speed was created, whereas thick viscosities were imagined as both the butterfly eddy currents and wall scrapers. For each type, they bring homogeneity, and every area is clean and scraped off easily.
What are a few added advantages when you use twin- or double-shafted butterfly-dispersing mixers?
In this context, a butterfly agitator is combined with a high-speed disperser or dispersing disc on a separate shaft for the simultaneous dispersal and mixing. Advantages include high stability, strong shearing, improved mixing effect, reduced production times, and the ability to meet the production process requirements of materials in industries such as coatings, ink, adhesives, and battery slurries. The dual shaft mixer can be customized with vacuum disperser features and is easy to clean and maintain
What is the role of hydraulic lifting dispersers, and why adopt the hydraulic lift operation?
Hydraulic lifting dispersers use a hydraulic cylinder or a hydraulic actuator to lift and lower the disperser head or butterfly dissolver in uniform movement towards the batch. The hydraulic operation offers low maintenance operation, superior control, and robust actuation for heavy and high viscosity material loads. A hydraulic butterfly mixer ensures consistent dispersing depth, acts to lessen wear at the output shaft, and can include explosion-proof or vacuum-type configurations, wherever necessary.
How do scrapers help in dispersion and mixing, and what role do the wall-scrapping conditioners play in the same?
Butterfly Dispersing Mixers are successfully used in industries processing inks (including UV ink), coatings, adhesives, putty, and lithium battery slurry. The design has been optimized to accommodate the dispersing and mixing of high-viscosity material, high-solids content materials, and formulations easily. With customization options such as a variety of dispersing disc geometries, vacuum type, explosion-proof type, and tailored speed ranges, this mixer is made for matching the specific mixing materials of various industries or production process requirements.
What are the enhancements obtainable in a butterfly disperser if custom-made so that the process can deliver better dispersion, reflecting the company’s production needs?
A butterfly disperser can be customized by the selection of different dispersing disc-type combinations, the incorporation of a disperser with a scraper, the provision of single-shaft or twin-shaft arrangements, and the selection of hydraulic lifter disperser systems or vacuum disperser option systems with explosion-proof specifications. Customization, which is according to viscosity and shear rate requirements, ensures an increase in the effectiveness of mixing, enabling strong shearing where it is needed. The product is then able to meet the requirements of different materials with varying viscosities, and is easy to clean and maintain as well.


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