What is a planetary mixer?
A planetary mixer has two identical blades that move in a planetary motion: each blade rotates on its own axis while the pair orbit a common axis.
Because it has two blades, it is also called a double planetary mixer. Wahal makes vertical double planetary mixers for high viscosity mixing.
The mixer turns over thick, sticky or putty-like materials with great efficiency, and is widely used across many industries.
These are industrial machines for process materials. If you are looking for a bakery dough mixer, see our dough kneading plant.
Planetary mixer working principle
The blades physically contact the entire batch.
- Two blades, two motions. The two identical blades rotate on their own axes as they orbit a common axis.
- Full coverage. In only 36 revolutions around the vessel, the blades pass through every point in the product zone and contact the entire batch.
- Turnover. Thick, sticky or putty-like material is turned over with great efficiency.
- Kneading. With products above about 2 million centipoise (cP), the blades impart a kneading action to the batch, smoothing out its consistency and breaking up any agglomerates.
- Shear where kneading is not enough. For formulations that do not reach a high enough viscosity for kneading to be effective, the Power Mix planetary mixer adds shear intensity for faster solids dispersion.
The planetary action gives both shearing and kneading, and vacuum can be added for de-aeration.
Planetary mixer machine: features and options
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Range | 100 to 2000 litres |
| Design | Vertical, so the mixing bowl can be moved out |
| Viscosity | Kneading action above about 2 million cP; with High Viscosity Blades, up to around 6 million cP |
| Atmosphere | Full vacuum sealing offered; blends, mixes and kneads viscous paste under controlled atmospheric conditions |
| Speed control | VFD (variable frequency drive) for varying the mixing rpm |
| Temperature | Jacketing for heating and cooling |
| Hazardous areas and certification | ATEX/NEMA compliant instrumentation, and motors with UL certification, on request |
| Extra shear | Power Mix planetary mixer, for faster solids dispersion |
For a size and a quotation, tell us your material, viscosity and batch size.
High viscosity blades and the 6 million cP range
Over the years Wahal has made a series of design developments that extend the capabilities of the original planetary mixer.
The introduction of High Viscosity Blades raised the maximum viscosity range to around 6 million cP. A number of applications that previously needed sigma blade kneaders are now mixed in a planetary mixer, with better cleanability, a smaller footprint and lower capital cost.
For pasty, thick materials mixed in a U-trough, see our Z-blade mixers.
Planetary vacuum mixer
Full vacuum sealing is available on Wahal planetary mixers. Under vacuum the mixer can blend, mix and knead viscous paste under controlled atmospheric conditions, and vacuum can be used for de-aeration.
In composite and adhesive work, removing entrained air eliminates the voids that would otherwise weaken the material.
For lower-viscosity products mixed under vacuum, see our vacuum mixing systems, which are designed for viscosities up to 100,000 cps, and our vacuum processing plant.
Planetary mixer applications
A planetary mixer is used where thick, sticky or paste-like materials must be blended, kneaded or dispersed.
- Adhesives. Includes epoxy adhesives and sealants.
- Pharmaceuticals.
- Food processing.
- Chemicals.
- Plastics.
- Pigments.
- Coatings.
- Composites. Includes dough-like composite formulations.
- Batteries. Electrode slurries for new-generation batteries.
Planetary mixer for battery slurry
Electrode formulations combine active materials (such as lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate or graphite), conductive additives (such as carbon black) and binders (such as polyvinylidene fluoride). The planetary mixing action disperses these components thoroughly and gives a homogeneous electrode mixture.
Planetary mixers, including dual-planetary and planetary vacuum double-shaft designs, are often preferred for highly viscous slurries and slurries with a high solid content. Mixing speed, mixing time and blade configuration can be adjusted for different batteries.
See our page on the battery manufacturing process.
Planetary mixer for adhesives, sealants and composites
Planetary mixers suit high-viscosity aerospace compounds such as epoxy adhesives, sealants and dough-like composite formulations. They give thorough, low-impact mixing that can incorporate reinforcing fibers and fillers without excessive mechanical degradation of the material.
Wahal supplies double planetary mixers, along with other high-viscosity and high shear mixers, to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). See our aerospace mixing equipment page.
Planetary mixer or another mixer?
Pick the mixer by the material you are mixing. Each machine below has its own page.
| Material or job | Machine | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Thick, sticky, putty-like or paste materials, up to around 6 million cP | Planetary mixer (this page) | Two blades orbit and rotate; kneading action above about 2 million cP |
| Semi-solid, pasty materials | Z-blade mixers | Two Z-shaped blades rotating in opposite directions in a jacketed U trough |
| High-viscosity creams, lotions and pastes that also need dispersing | Twin shaft dispersers and triple / multi shaft dispersers | A high-speed disperser blade with a slower anchor with scrapers, mixing under laminar conditions; multi shaft designs use two or three independently driven agitators under vacuum |
| Dispersing pigments, additives and powders into a liquid | High speed disperser | Cowl-blade disperser for the initial dispersion; speed and power are adjustable |
| Emulsions, fine particle size, low to medium viscosity | High shear homogenizers | Rotor-stator mixers; the batch and inline range covers 1 to 50,000 cP |
| Keeping the contents of a tank moving | Agitators | Anchor and helical ribbon agitators for medium to high viscosity; contra-rotary (dual-shaft) agitators for very viscous, dense products such as toothpaste and grease |
| Dry powders and bulk solids | Ribbon blenders | Horizontal U-shaped trough with double-spiral ribbons; typical mixing cycle 15 to 20 minutes |
Planetary mixer manufacturer in India
Wahal Engineers is a mixer manufacturer in India and makes its own mixers, dispersers and mills, so it controls the quality, performance and customisation of each machine.
Our planetary mixer range runs from 100 to 2000 litres, and the design has been developed over the years with High Viscosity Blades and the Power Mix planetary mixer for extra shear.
Try a planetary mixer on your product first
You can run a trial on a Wahal machine before you decide, in our fully equipped trial lab, or rent one pre-configured to your process. See trials and rentals.
Tell us about your material, viscosity and batch size and we will advise on the right mixer.
Frequently asked questions
What is a planetary mixer?
A planetary mixer has two identical blades that rotate on their own axes as they orbit a common axis. The blades pass through every point in the product zone, which makes it suited to thick, sticky or putty-like materials.
What is a double planetary mixer?
It is a planetary mixer with two blades. Wahal makes vertical double planetary mixers for high viscosity mixing, with full vacuum sealing available.
How does a planetary mixer work?
Two blades rotate on their own axes while orbiting a common axis. In only 36 revolutions around the vessel they pass through every point in the product zone and contact the entire batch. Above about 2 million cP they knead the material, smoothing its consistency and breaking up agglomerates. See the working principle steps above.
What viscosity can a planetary mixer handle?
Kneading takes place above about 2 million cP, and with Wahal's High Viscosity Blades the maximum viscosity range is around 6 million cP. For products with a lower viscosity that need more shear, see the Power Mix planetary mixer, or our high shear homogenizers.
What sizes of planetary mixer are available?
Wahal planetary mixers range from 100 litres to 2000 litres. The mixing rpm can be varied with a VFD.
Can a planetary mixer work under vacuum?
Yes. Full vacuum sealing is offered. The mixers can also be jacketed for heating and cooling.
Can a planetary mixer be supplied for hazardous areas?
Yes, on request. ATEX/NEMA compliant instrumentation and motors with UL certification can be supplied.
What is a planetary mixer used for?
It is used for adhesives, pharmaceuticals, food processing, chemicals, plastics, pigments, coatings, composites and battery slurries, wherever thick or paste-like material has to be blended, kneaded or dispersed. See the applications above.
Is this the same as a bakery planetary mixer?
The planetary mixers on this page are industrial machines for viscous process materials, from 100 to 2000 litres, with vacuum and jacketing options. For bakery dough, see our dough kneading plant.
Who makes planetary mixers in India?
Wahal Engineers makes planetary mixers in India, along with its own dispersers, homogenizers and mills.
How much does a planetary mixer cost?
It depends on the size (100 to 2000 litres), the viscosity of your product and options such as vacuum and hazardous-area equipment. Send us your material, viscosity and batch size and we will quote for your process. You can also run a trial first: see trials and rentals.
