Maschinenfabrik Gustav Eirich, Hardheim, Germany, has recently supplied an EVACTHERM® dispersion mixer to EZD (the European centre for dispersion technologies) to supplement its extensive range of mixing systems available at its headquarters in Selb. EZD is an interdisciplinary centre, the only one of its kind in Germany, that was established by the plastics research body SKZ Kunstoffzentrum in close cooperation with industry and with support from the State of Bavaria to undertake development work in production and characterisation of dispersions (suspensions and emulsions). SKZ has been providing independent services in plastics technology since it was founded in 1961. Today it is considered to be one of the biggest sector-specific institutes of its type. Over 350 staff are employed at its head office in Würzburg or at its branches – including in China, Iran and UAE – with work encompassing R&D projects as well as further training, certification and inspection.

 

The newly acquired Eirich processing technology includes a 1-litre vacuum mixer with an EX-protection finish, 4kW drive power, with an accompanying condenser, vacuum pump retort and fully automatic touch-panel controller. Using EVACTHERM vacuum technology brings further advantages for EZD: dry mixing achieves significantly better loosening of agglomerates; eliminating the buffering air significantly reduces energy consumption; and shearing forces can be introduced into the product with greater efficiency. Moreover, kneading and dispersion under vacuum ensures bubble-free suspensions. www.eirich.com; www.ezd.eu 

 

 

The unique EIRICH mixing principle and (below) the company’s type RV02VAC 1-litre vacuum mixer