Please provide a detailed introduction to the working principle of the kneading machine

Please provide a detailed introduction to the working principle of the kneading machine, including vacuum kneading machine, screw kneading machine, ordinary kneading machine, laboratory kneading machine, and Rugao Xiyun Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd

Rotating motion of agitator blade

The core of the kneading machine's operation is the rotation of the stirring blade. After the equipment is started, the motor transmits power to the mixing blade through transmission components such as reducers and couplings, causing it to rotate inside the tank of the kneading machine. There are various shapes of agitator blades, commonly including Z-shaped, S-shaped, double row star shaped, etc. Taking the Z-shaped stirring blade as an example, it will generate strong shear force on the material during the rotation process. This shear force can break up the aggregates of materials, allowing materials of different compositions to come into contact with each other. For example, in the process of rubber mixing, the Z-shaped stirring blade can tear apart the aggregates of rubber raw rubber and various additives (such as vulcanizing agents, accelerators, etc.), allowing the additives to be evenly distributed in the rubber raw rubber.

Mixing and stirring of materials

When the stirring blade rotates, it will drive the surrounding materials to move together. Due to the shape and motion of the stirring blade, the material will generate complex flows inside the tank. For example, when the S-shaped stirring blade rotates, it creates a rolling effect on the material inside the tank, just like stirring soup in a pot with a spoon, causing the material to constantly change positions and achieve uniform mixing. For the dual planetary agitator, its motion trajectory is more complex. The two agitator blades revolve around the center of the tank while also rotating on their own. This motion can cover every corner of the tank, ensuring that the material is fully stirred throughout the entire tank. During this process, materials will rub and collide with each other, further promoting the mixing effect.

The generation of kneading action

In addition to stirring, kneading is also an important function of kneading machines. During the rotation of the stirring blade, it exerts squeezing pressure on the material. When the distance between the stirring blade and the tank wall is close, the material will be sandwiched between the stirring blade and the tank wall and subjected to compression. This squeezing force can cause changes in the organizational structure of materials, and for some sticky materials such as dough or rubber, it can make them more compact. At the same time, the material will also produce folding and kneading effects on its own under the push of the mixing blade. Taking the dough making process as an example, the stirring paddle continuously squeezes the dough against the tank wall while rotating, and the dough itself is repeatedly folded, just like hand kneading dough, gradually forming a gluten network, thereby enhancing the toughness and elasticity of the dough.

The impact of temperature changes on materials

During the kneading process, the temperature of the material will increase due to friction between the materials and the work done by the stirring blade on the material. For some temperature sensitive materials, this may be a factor to consider. For example, in some plastic mixing processes, an appropriate increase in temperature can help soften the plastic, making it easier for additives to blend into the plastic, thereby improving the mixing effect. However, if the temperature is too high, it may lead to a decrease in material properties, such as excessive vulcanization of rubber. Therefore, some kneading machines are equipped with heating or cooling systems, which regulate the temperature of the material inside the tank by controlling the temperature of the heating medium (such as steam, thermal oil) or cooling medium (such as cooling water) in the jacket to maintain it within an appropriate range.

The overall cyclic motion of materials

As the stirring blade continues to rotate, the material will form a complete circular motion inside the tank. It is driven to rotate from the area near the mixing blade, then spreads towards the edge and bottom of the tank, and is re drawn into the area near the mixing blade from the bottom and edge. This cyclic motion enables the materials to be thoroughly mixed and kneaded throughout the entire tank. For example, in the process of making sauce, various raw materials (such as vegetable granules, seasonings, oils, etc.) will continuously blend with each other in this cyclic motion, ultimately forming a uniform sauce.