5 Things to Consider When Designing an Industrial Mixer Shaft
Industrial Mixer Shaft Design
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In our last blog post, we talked about industrial mixer and vessel design considerations related to critical speed including the design of the industrial mixer shaft. For the industrial mixer designer, this requires configuring the mixer shaft and/or setting the critical speed at a safe value.
This post explores the 5 primary variables in industrial mixer shaft design (length, weight, torque, hydraulic loading, and stiffness). Subsequent posts related to industrial mixer shaft design will explore preventing fatigue failure in your gearbox shaft and when and when not to use steady bearings.
The guide below will help determine your industrial mixer shaft design based on the 5 primary industrial mixer shaft design variables. For assistance related to any of the variables, contact ProQuip 330-468-1850 or sales@proquipinc.com.
1. Length of the Industrial Mixer Shaft
The length of the industrial mixer shaft is primarily determined by the desired location of mixing impellers in the vessel. This is directly related to the geometry (e.g., size and height) of the mixing vessel.
2 -4. Weight, Torque and Hydraulic Loading of the Industrial Mixer Shaft
The weight, torque and hydraulic loading of the industrial mixer shaft are determined by the impeller, which is itself, determined by your process requirements. The design of the industrial mixer shaft must be able to handle the torque and bending moment induced by its impeller.
Modern designs for industrial mixer impellers often put more stress on the mixer shaft caused by bending moment than the stress caused by the torque required to power them. Consequently, while a commodity gearbox comes with an output shaft diameter commensurate with its torque rating, a gearbox specifically designed for industrial mixer applications comes with a larger shaft that allows for the bending moments typical of mixing applications. See our next blog post for additional information about gearbox considerations related to industrial mixer shaft design (specifically how to prevent fatigue failure in the gearbox shaft).
5. Stiffness of the Industrial Mixer Shaft
One free variable in industrial mixer shaft design is its stiffness, which is directly related to its diameter. The diameter of your industrial mixer shaft must be large enough to withstand the stress brought about by the combined torque and bending forces on it. The diameter of your industrial mixer shaft must also be large enough to keep the critical speed sufficiently above the operating speed to prevent excessive vibration. Proper industrial mixer shaft design does not allow the critical speed limit to be the controlling factor on the shaft diameter.
For More Information
Knowing the 5 Things to Consider When Designing an Industrial Mixer Shaft will help ensure reliable, cost-effective operation of your industrial mixer. For more information about industrial mixer shaft design for your application, view our shaft design page, contact ProQuip at 330-468-1850 or sales@proquipinc.com or look for part 2 of our blog series on shaft design, “How to Prevent Fatigue Failure in the Gearbox Shaft of Your Industrial Mixer.”
Previous Blog Posts
3 Ways Viscosity Affects Your Industrial Mixer Specifications and Mixing Process
How to Stop Your Industrial Mixer from Shaking
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