What’s next?

As ribbon blender engineering continues to evolve, these workhorses will be used even more widely, and in more demanding applications. Seals will become even more reliable, providing greater protection against contamination. New ribbon materials and coatings will prevent excessive wear caused by abrasive materials. High performance options often found on more sophisticated mixers and blenders – vacuum, for example - will become common on ribbon blenders.

But the process engineer who is determined to maximize blending efficiency must eventually ask whether the ribbon blender is really the best design for his application. When in doubt, test before you invest in any new equipment. Compare the capabilities of a ribbon blender and a cone screw blender in an equipment manufacturer’s laboratory, using your own ingredients. Ultimately, this is the best way to be sure that you will be putting the best possible blender on your process line.