Double Discharge Doors For Twin Shaft Mixers


The Sicoma Company, of Italy, has announced the introduction of DOUBLE DISCHARGE DOORS on its line of twin shaft mixers. This is the first time that such a feature has been available on this type of mixer; it is an important development that improves plant efficiency as well as cost, both for precast and ready-mix operations. Horizontal pan mixers are well known for their ability to discharge through two, three or even four separate doors to feed an assortment of belts, buckets, chutes and traveling hoppers. Twin shaft mixers, however, have been limited to a single door running the full length of the mixer. To feed more than one process, plant designers had to resort to rotating chutes or flop gates.

The only mixer option that could provide two discharge streams was a door that could rotate in either direction to feed two separate chutes. Conventional twin shaft mixer doors are symmetrical; although suitable for this bidirectional action, the rubber seals are in contact with the door during the whole opening and closing operation, resulting in high wear and the need for frequent replacement. In comparison, Sicoma's doors are mounted on offset shafts which give an eccentric action. This separates the door and seal as it opens, greatly reducing wear and the need for maintenance, and ensuring a watertight seal throughout its life, but prevents it being opened in both directions.

A recent Sicoma patented innovation, the Reduced Discharge Door, has been proven to discharge almost as quickly as the full width door, due to Sicoma's greater number of paddles and their true spiral action, which greatly aids in fast discharge. This same principle allows two doors to be fitted, with separate chutes to different operations; for example, two sets of traveling hopper rails can be channeled under the mixer for high volume delivery. In ready-mix operations, it allows trucks to back in from both sides and eliminate waiting between loads. A secondary advantage of the smaller chute is its lower headroom requirement which lowers the mixer platform by up to 4 ft for the same delivery height. Chutes are fitted with a water spray bar for cleaning and a pressure washing accessory is also available.

The Double Discharge Door has been patented by Sicoma and is in use in many installations, mostly in Europe.

For more information, contact Marianne Myers 1 800 921 7559. Fax 727 789 6321, Email: marianne@sicoma.biz. Web: www.sicoma.biz

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