Paddle & Ribbon Blender Solutions

From liquids to solids, EnSight has the equipment food processors need to perfectly mix/blend their product. For liquids/non-solid products, our Likwifier line includes a variety of high-shear solutions to ensure proper ingredient dispersion. For solid foods, e.g., meat blends, seasonings, pet foods and IQF vegetables, our A-One line includes paddle and ribbon blender solutions to mix the product without beating it up.

Let’s take a look at A-One mixing/blending solutions and how they can help food processors accomplish their goals.

Construction & Design

First, let’s take a look at EnSight blenders and how their design helps food processors make their product.

EnSight blenders have a capacity ranging from 150 lbs. up to 14,000 lbs. They feature all-stainless steel construction with all-continuous welds, are USDA accepted and have formed tub frames.

The blenders are powered by one or two motors, depending on how many shafts a particular blender houses. These motors are attached to a heavy-duty chain-and-sprocket drive system for maximum reliability. The entire system is controlled via high-tech Allen Bradley electrical components.

For safety, every EnSight blender features top-mounted, weld-in safety grates and shut-off features.

EnSight blenders are available with either ribbon or paddle blenders and can be upgraded with a variety of componentry to meet a processor’s unique needs.

Ribbon Blenders

EnSight ribbon blenders feature a single shaft that runs the length of the blender and features a ribbon agitator. This design is ideal for processors who want to create mixtures less aggressively. Depending on the product, this could be because the product doesn’t need to be aggressively mixed (like spices) or because the processor doesn’t want to harm the ingredients or change their size, shape or consistency (like with meals made of various individual quick freezing [IQF] meals). Regardless of the reason, the ribbon blender will gently mix the ingredients to the processor’s preference.

Paddle Blenders

As the name denotes, paddle blenders feature paddle agitators mounted to one or two shafts inside the blender. While some manufacturers use spoke paddles, EnSight welds the paddles directly to the shaft(s). We believe this creates a tougher, longer-lasting blender because spoke-mounted paddles can snap off, especially in blenders that use CO₂ to cool product (see Tailored Capabilities section below).

Paddle blenders mix the product much more aggressively than ribbon blenders, which allows them to work well for mixing products like ground meat and spices. On the other hand, the aggressive agitation would ruin the consistency of IQF foods.

EnSight offers paddle blenders with one or two shafts. Which is best depends on the size of the load and the particular product.

Tailored Capabilities

Some organizations’ products, processes and recipes may necessitate special equipment considerations.

For example, aggressively blending ingredients can increase the temperature of the product inside the machine. Some organizations have a “sweet spot” they prefer to keep their products at. For some, this may help facilitate further processing. For others, it’s just the correct temperature to protect the flavor and consistency of their product.

Regardless, the EnSight team can design blending solutions with gas injection ports. During the blending process, the processor can pump carbon dioxide (CO₂) or nitrogen (N) gas into the blender while it’s agitating the product. The processor can adjust the frequency of gas injections to cool the product to the desired temperature.

To improve ingredient dispersion even further, EnSight can design a vacuum blender with or without gas injection ports. When the vacuum pump is on, it will pull all the air out of the inside of the blending compartment. This helps the product absorb the ingredients better and faster.

Because EnSight blenders pull such a strong vacuum, we reinforce the lid and sides with “body bands” to maintain structural integrity.

Custom Line Solutions 

The EnSight team provides more than just blenders–we can help food processors with full line solutions.

This means in addition to a tailored blender that will mix product just right, our team can work with the food processor to plan out complimentary machine solutions to enhance overall efficiency and quality. We can build column dumpers to fill the blender with product and conveyors to carry it on to the next stage. Or, we can craft an auger to move the product into blender and vats for receiving the final mix.

 

At EnSight Solutions, we pride ourselves on being able to tackle even the toughest food processing challenges. From increasing efficiency to improving quality to keeping workers safe, our hygienically designed solutions can help you make your product better.

To learn more about EnSight Solutions and our blending line solutions, please contact our sales consultants.