Paddle mixer VK series

verticalcontinuousbatch

Product overview
JCT Machinery vertical kneaders (VK series) are explosion-proof, top-driven mixing units engineered for the manufacture of solid propellant and other ultra-high-viscosity composite materials. The design enables vacuum mixing, precise temperature control and PLC automation for repeatable, safe production of high-solid-content, temperature-sensitive formulations.

Key features

• Explosion-proof construction suitable for flammable/energetic materials
• Vacuum degassing and vacuum mixing (vacuum level up to approx. -0.098 MPa)
• High-torque, low-speed pericentric/telecentric mixing blades
• Top-mounted drive, bearings and gear reducer — no bottom shaft seal
• PLC automatic control with optional touchscreen HMI and operator terminals
• Continuous temperature monitoring, anomaly alerts and closed-loop regulation
• Intelligent self-diagnosis and visual fault localization

Operational considerations

• Designed for extremely high viscosity and high solids content formulations
• Materials are temperature-sensitive and susceptible to frictional heating and static
• Vertical configuration reduces shaft-seal contact and frictional heat by locating drive above the product
• Vacuum degassing improves product density and consistency by removing entrained air

Solid Propellant Vertical Kneader Equipment Parameters
Model | Full Volume (L) | Useful Volume (L) | Power (kW) | Pericentric Blade Speed (rpm) | Telecentric Blade Speed (rpm) | Revolution Speed (rpm) | Vacuum Abs Pressure (kPa)
VK-10 | 16.9 | 12 | 5.5 | 0~25 | 0~50 | 0~6 | <1.5
VK-100 | 135 | 100 | 22 | 0~25 | 0~50 | 0~6 | <1.5
VK-500 | 500 | 350 | 37 | 0~22.5 | 0~45 | 0~6 | <1.5
VK-1000 | 1000 | 600 | 45 | 0~22.5 | 0~45 | 0~6 | <1.5
VK-2000 | 2000 | 1200 | 55 | 0~20 | 0~40 | 0~6 | <1.5
VK-3000 | 3000 | 1800 | 75 | 0~20 | 0~40 | 0~5 | <1.5
VK-5000 | 5000 | 3000 | 110 | 0~18 | 0~36 | 0~5 | <1.5

Advantages

• Top-mounted bearings and gear reducer eliminate bottom shaft seal, reducing leakage and contamination risk
• Design minimizes frictional heat to enhance intrinsic safety with energetic/flammable materials
• Vacuum degassing capability (approx. -0.098 MPa) improves density and reduces voids
• Overhead drive layout simplifies maintenance and inspection

Application areas

• Solid propellant processing and HTPB propellants
• High-energy material slurries and highly filled composite materials
• Thermal pastes, aerospace sealants
• Feedstock preparation for MIM (metal injection molding) and CIM (ceramic injection molding)

Expandable functions and control highlights
Flexible Interaction Terminals | Standalone touchscreen + multi-axis adjustable robotic arm | Enhance HMI ergonomics and access angles
Precision Security and Early Warning | Continuous temperature monitoring + anomaly alerts/automatic closed-loop regulation | Improve process stability and prevent thermal runaway
Intelligent Self-Diagnosis | Visual fault localization system | Reduce troubleshooting time and speed maintenance
Quality Traceability System | Tiered access control + audit trail for operation logs | Ensure process discipline and full traceability
Industrial Interconnectivity | Integration with MES/ERP + remote data retrieval | Enable factory digital transformation

Technical characteristics / specifications

• Brand: JCT Machinery
• Model family: VK series (VK-10, VK-100, VK-500, VK-1000, VK-2000, VK-3000, VK-5000)
• Full volume range: 16.9 L to 5000 L; useful volume examples: 12 L (VK-10) to 3000 L (VK-5000)
• Motor power range: 5.5 kW to 110 kW depending on model
• Mixing speeds: pericentric and telecentric blade ranges vary by model (typical pericentric 0–25 rpm; telecentric up to 0–50 rpm)
• Revolution speed: typically 0–6 rpm (largest models 0–5 rpm)
• Vacuum capability: vacuum degassing to approx. -0.098 MPa; vacuum absolute pressure <1.5 kPa indicated
• Control and safety: PLC automation, HMI options, continuous temperature monitoring, anomaly alerts, visual fault localization, MES/ERP integration