A concrete mixer mixes raw materials such as cement, sand and gravel aggregates, and water into a uniform concrete mixture through mechanical action.
Classification by Mixing Principle
Self-falling Mixer: The mixing drum rotates around a horizontal axis, and the blades inside the drum lift the materials to a certain height, after which the materials fall freely under their own weight. Uniform mixing is achieved through repeated dividing, lifting, falling, and impact. This method has a lower mixing intensity and is suitable for plastic concrete.
Forced Mixer: The mixing drum is fixed and the blades on a rotating shaft inside the drum forcibly shear, press, and turn the materials. The blades have a high linear speed, providing strong mixing action, and are suitable for dry, stiff, lightweight aggregate concrete, and mortar. Common structures include vertical-axis spiral paddle type, vertical-axis planetary type, and horizontal-axis type.
System Coordination Process
Concrete mixing equipment (such as a batching plant) operates in coordination through a control system.
Measurement and Conveying: The weighing system accurately measures aggregates, powders, water, and additives according to preset ratios, then conveys them to the main mixer via a belt conveyor or screw conveyor.
Mixing and Discharging: The main mixer completes the mixing within the set time and then discharges the finished product through a discharge gate or by reversing the drum. During transportation, the concrete mixer truck rotates slowly to prevent segregation of the concrete.
