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In plastics or silicone R&D and quality control laboratories, one of the most commonly used equipment for mixing and processing a wide range of polymer materials is the two roll mill. In the past, the most used machines were conventional floor-standing laboratory open mills, but nowadays many laboratory professionals are increasingly choosing small desktop two roll mills if they only want to do color mixing and color matching tests, or to make super-small batches of comparison testing. What exactly are the advantages of these compact machines? in this post, we’ll explore the significant benefits of using desk-top two roll mills in your laboratory and how they can enhance your research and development processes.
Versatility in Small-batch Plastic Material Processing
Just as an idiom goes: The sparrow may be small but all its vital organs are there. The basic structure and function of a table-top two roll mill is the same as that of a routine type of open mill, with two rolls that can rotate towards each other and heating function to allow for versatility in processing various plastic materials. A benchtop open mill can handle a wide range of substances, including polymers, elastomers, and other composite materials. This flexibility allows laboratories to tackle different projects and experiments without needing multiple types of mixing equipment.
For instance, they can be used in various applications, from developing new silicone compounds to creating custom plastic formulations. This versatility makes table-top two roll mills an invaluable addition to any laboratory involved in material science or engineering.
Space-Saving Design
Space is often at a premium in laboratories, where large equipment can take up considerable room. One of the notable advantages of table-top two roll mills is their compact size and design. These mills are much smaller than traditional industrial models, making them ideal for labs with limited space.
Their space-saving design not only frees up valuable work surfaces but also allows for easier transportation and setup within the lab environment. This versatility enables laboratories to optimize their layout without compromising on the quality of their mixing processes.
Good compatibility for lab power supply
The power supply needed for our ordinary laboratory standing two roll mills are generally AC three-phase 380V, but many ordinary small laboratories may not be equipped with three-phase power supply, which creates an obstacle to the connection of the power supply, resulting in the machine can not be properly powered and used. But for our desktop two roll mills, you do not have to worry about this problem, because the standard power supply voltage required is single-phase AC 220V or 110V. The machines are read-to-use after receive them, and you do not have to worry that the machines can not match your laboratory power supply.
User-Friendly Operation
Thanks to the simple and compact structure, table-top two roll mills are remarkably user-friendly, making them accessible even to those with limited experience in handling such equipment. With intuitive controls and straightforward operation, researchers can quickly learn how to use the mill effectively.
Cost-Effectiveness
When budgeting for laboratory equipment, cost is always a factor to consider. Table-top two roll mills offer a cost-effective solution compared to their larger counterparts. You can probably buy at least two tabletop two roll mills for the prices of a standing lab two roll mill. The initial investment is generally lower, and the extremely small-batch mixing process each time can help save money in the long run by reducing material waste.
Additionally, compared to large machines, the table-top two roll mill comes with a small power motor, allowing for a lower electricity consumption during the operation. It can help you further save energy costs.
Conclusion
Just like a coin has two sides, there is a positive and a negative. The above mentioned content talks about the advantages of the tabletop mixing mill, but it also has some limitations as follows:
- Limited by the motor power, it cannot process highly viscous polymers such as rubber, especially fluororubber. It is mainly because the equipment is equipped with a low-power motor, which cannot provide strong torque to drive the rolls to process materials with high viscosity, otherwise it will burn the motor or reduce the life of the motor.
- Limited by the size and surface area of the rolls, the processing material cannot be much at one time.
- It is not suitable for plastic sheeting that have high requirements on sample thickness.
- Limited by the small size of the machine, it is not easy to dissipate heat, and the machine cannot be used continuously for a long time.
If you have more questions or are interested in the tabletop two roll mill, please contact Amade directly. Amade is a supplier specializing in providing laboratory rubber and plastic testing equipment, covering open mills, internal mixers, vulcanizers, tensile testing machines and other equipment. We can provide tabletop open mills and standing open mills of different specifications and configurations to take your research to the next level.
