New prototype of blade for planetary concrete mixers and wear analysis with a new method

Figure: University of Perugia

Studied planetary mixer

Figure: University of Perugia

New blade shape

Figure: University of Perugia

Wear map of traditional T blade (a) and new blade (b)

Figure: University of Perugia

Figure: Sicoma

Planetary mixer with the new blades (left star) and the traditional ones (right star)

Figure: Sicoma

Maria Cristina Valigi

Associate Professor of Mechanics of Machines at University of Perugia, Italy. Her research interests are: Tribology (lubrication models, contact models and wear measures), mechanical vibrations, modeling and control of mechanical systems.

Silvia Logozzo

Mechanical Engineer for Automation and Robotics, PhD in Industrial Engineering, expert in mechatronic systems, scanning systems and time of flight scanning techniques. She is a researcher in applied mechanics at University of Perugia and Research and Innovation Manager at V-GER SRL Bologna.

Mirko Rinchi

Associate Professor of Mechanics on Machines at University of Florence. He is graduated in Mechanical Engineering at University of Perugia and he has a PhD degree at University of Bologna. His research interests regard dynamics of mechanical systems.

Luca Galletti

Graduated in Mechanical Engineering at University of Perugia. He works in many areas in the Sicoma s.r.l. Company but with specific attention to research and development area and management of foreign branches.

This article focuses on concrete mixers and presents a research study that led to the design of a new mixing blade prototype. This new design ensures a longer useful life of the blades than the conventional design and, at the same time, higher performance in terms of wear resistance and discharge times.

Even in times of crisis, the construction industry continues to be one of the most solid sectors both on a national and international scale. In this industry, related research aims to design new products with ever-greater performance whilst enabling a reduction in production times and costs. This article focuses on concrete mixers and presents a research study that led to the design of a new mixing blade prototype. This new design ensures a longer useful life of the blades than the conventional design and, at the same time, higher performance in terms of wear resistance and discharge times....