What Is a Bin Blender Machine?
The bin blender (also known as an IBC bin mixer, square cone mixer, or post bin blender) is a highly efficient and dust-free mixing system. Its core design features a square-cone-shaped mixing hopper, which functions as both the blending chamber and the container for material handling. The hopper has a square inlet at the top and a tapered discharge outlet at the bottom, with large internal arc transitions to ensure there are no dead corners during mixing.
During operation, the hopper is securely locked onto a multi-dimensional rotating frame. Unlike traditional mixers that rotate along a single axis, this IBC bin blender performs complex, asymmetric rotations, causing materials to move along constantly changing flow paths inside the hopper. This unique motion generates intense convection and shear mixing, achieving highly uniform blending results.
The materials are mixed within a completely sealed IBC bin, rotating through 360 degrees. The top of the bin features a large airtight loading cover for charging and inspection, while the bottom is equipped with a specially designed butterfly valve or ball valve that prevents leakage even during high-speed rotation. Since the mixing is achieved by rotating the entire container rather than using internal paddles, the process is gentle on the material and eliminates the risk of cross-contamination or product degradation. After mixing, the IBC bin is rotated so that the discharge outlet faces downward, allowing for complete material discharge thanks to its streamlined, dead-corner-free geometry. This closed and dust-free system not only ensures excellent mixing uniformity and reproducibility but also fully complies with GMP standards widely required in the pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries.
If the required capacity is greater than 1000L, we recommend using our double-column IBC bin mixer. This IBC bin mixer can handle up to 3000L.
Applications of Bin Blenders
Bin blenders (also known as IBC bin mixers or post bin powder mixers) are widely used across different industries for efficient, uniform, and dust-free powder handling and blending processes, including:
Food Processing
These IBC bin blenders are used to blend dry ingredients such as flour, sugar, milk powder, and spices in large quantities, ensuring homogeneous mixtures for products like cakes, biscuits, instant drink powders, and seasoning mixes. Their closed, dust-free design ensures hygiene and compliance with food safety standards.
Pharmaceuticals Processing
In pharmaceutical production, powder bin blenders and IBC bin mixers are key for mixing active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) with excipients during the production of tablets, capsules, and granules. The GMP-compliant design guarantees high precision, repeatability, and prevents cross-contamination in cleanroom environments.
Chemical Industry
Ideal for blending powders, granules, and even small amounts of liquids, these post-bin blenders provide uniform mixing for fine chemicals, detergents, pigments, and catalysts. The stainless-steel structure ensures corrosion resistance and safe operation in industrial environments.
Bin Blender Loading Methods
The Bin blender offers flexible feeding methods to suit various material handling needs. The primary options include manual feeding, vacuum feeder feeding, and a dust-free feeding station with a vacuum feeder for bagged materials.
1. Manual Feeding
Operators manually load raw materials into the IBC hopper. This method is simple and cost-effective, making it suitable for small-scale production or specific ingredient additions.
2. Vacuum Feeder Feeding
A vacuum feeder automates material transfer to the hopper lifter mixer, ensuring efficient and dust-free loading. This method is ideal for large-scale production, reducing manual labor while maintaining a clean working environment. However, this method is not suitable for bagged materials.
3. Dust-Free Feeding Station for Bagged Materials
When handling bagged raw materials, a dust-free feeding station can be connected to the vacuum feeder. This system allows operators to safely empty bags without dust contamination, improving workplace hygiene and protecting workers' health. At the same time, the dust-free feeding station can be equipped with a single-layer screen to filter out impurities and lumps from bagged materials, significantly reducing the entry of clumped materials and contaminants into the mixer. This kind of agglomerated material needs to be crushed by a pulverizer (pin mill) and then put into the IBC bin blender for mixing.
By selecting the appropriate feeding method, manufacturers can enhance efficiency, maintain cleanliness, and ensure smooth material flow in their production processes.
4. Platform Loading
If your raw materials are stored on the second floor, we provide a matching loading platform and then push the hopper under the platform. This solution is suitable for the feeding needs of raw materials on the second floor, avoiding the inconvenience of manual handling, and efficiently processing through platform unloading. However, if it is only for loading, but the materials and the mixer are on the same floor, it is not recommended to use the platform loading method.
Please inform us based on the specific situation of your company's raw materials, and we will recommend the best feeding solution for you based on your needs.
Fully Enclosed Powder Mixing Process Flow Diagram
Fully Enclosed Powder Blending Process
How to Choose the Right IBC Powder Blender?
Before ordering a custom bin blender, please provide the following details to help our engineers design the right equipment:
1. Material Physical Properties
Bulk Density: A key factor in determining the effective mixing volume.
Moisture Content / Hygroscopicity: Does the powder easily absorb moisture or form lumps?
Flowability: Evaluate powder flow (excellent, good, fair, or poor).
Adhesiveness: Does the material stick to the bin wall? What is the acceptable residue rate?
2. Mixing Capacity
Capacity: Define the batch size (e.g., kg per batch) to select the proper mixer volume.
Mixing Quality & Efficiency: Uniformity Requirement: Specify desired homogeneity (e.g., RSD ≤ 5%).
Mixing Time: Indicate the maximum allowed time per batch.
3. Material Handling
Feeding Method: Manual loading, vacuum conveying system, big bag discharge station, or integration with upstream equipment (e.g., sifter, mill).
Discharge Method: Direct connection to downstream equipment like bins or packaging machines for closed, dust-free transfer.
4. Regulations & Standards
Standards: Should the system comply with GMP or other regulatory standards (e.g., FDA, CE)?
5. Material of Construction & Surface Finish
Main Material: 304 or 316L stainless steel.
Surface Roughness: Mechanical polish (Ra ≤ 0.8 µm), electro-polish (Ra ≤ 0.4 µm), or customized finish for hygienic design.
6. Cleaning & Sterilization
Cleaning Method: Manual cleaning, semi-automatic, or full CIP (Clean-in-Place) system for pharmaceutical or food-grade applications.
7. Safety & Explosion Protection
Is the powder flammable or explosive? Specify required explosion-proof level (e.g., Ex d IIB T4) and whether nitrogen protection is needed.
8. Automation & Control
Control Level: Basic manual, or PLC + HMI fully automatic control.
Data Management: Need for recipe storage, batch recording, or data integrity compliance (e.g., CFR 21 Part 11).
9. Installation & Site Conditions
Available Space: Provide dimensions (L × W × H) of the installation area.
Utilities: Confirm available power supply (voltage/frequency/phase) and other plant utilities.
Post Bin Blender Working Video
Post Bin Blender Specifications
Model | Total volume (L) | Operation Volume(L) | Maximum loading (Kg) | Power (kw) | Weight (Kg) | Size (mm) |
HTD-200 | 200 | 160 | 80 | 4.75 | 1200 | 2150x2210x3000 |
HTD-400 | 400 | 240 | 120 | 4.75 | 1500 | 2460x2410x3200 |
HTD-600 | 600 | 480 | 240 | 7 | 2200 | 2950x2860x3200 |
HTD-800 | 800 | 640 | 320 | 7 | 2600 | 2950x2860x3500 |
| 1. Hywell machinery reserves the right to the design without notice 2 .All specifications of Bin Blender are as accurate as is reasonably possible, but they are not binding. 3. This IBC bin blender has good accessibility for cleaning between 2 batches |
Structure of a Bin Powder Blender
The design of a bin powder blender focuses on efficiently lifting and blending materials. Its key structural components include:
Hopper
The hopper serves as the core component, where materials are stored before lifting. Typically designed in a conical or cylindrical shape, it facilitates smooth material flow. Some models feature vibrating or tilting hoppers to prevent material clumping or sticking.
Lifting Mechanism
Depending on production requirements, the lifting mechanism can be mechanical or hydraulic. It is designed to transport materials from the hopper to the mixing height, ensuring smooth and reliable movement.
Mixing Mechanism
After the hopper is lifted to a designated height, the mixing system rotates the fixed hopper clockwise and counterclockwise, ensuring uniform blending of the materials inside.
Control System
The lifting bin blender is equipped with an automated control system, allowing operators to monitor and regulate the mixing and lifting processes. These systems may include timers, speed regulators, and sensors to ensure consistency and optimize production efficiency.
Discharge Mechanism
After mixing, the powder mixing machine includes a discharge system to transfer the blended material to the next production stage, such as packaging, granulation, or storage. Our company typically integrates a hopper elevator to lift the hopper to a packaging or tablet press machine for discharge.
Advantages of The BC Bin Powder Blender
Hywell Machinery’s HTD Series Bin Powder Blender offers significant advantages over conventional mixing solutions, ensuring high efficiency, safety, and compliance with GMP standards.
Superior Mixing Homogeneity
The IBC bin blender ensures uniform mixing as all materials remain in continuous motion.
Particle Integrity Protection
Gravity-based mixing applies minimal and equal forces, preventing material degradation.
Short Mixing Time
The absence of friction eliminates temperature rise and prevents localized hot spots.
Quick & Easy Cleaning
Designed for hygienic security with effortless cleaning.
Low Energy Consumption
Efficient operation reduces power usage.
Multiple Safety Interlocks
Equipped with multiple safety mechanisms for secure operation.
Intelligent PLC & HMI Control
Features an intuitive graphical interface for seamless operation.
Flexible Material Transfer
Easily movable with a trolley-mounted IBC bin.
Adjustable Mixing Time & Speed
Settings can be customized via the touchscreen interface.
Automated Positioning & Reporting
Includes auto-positioning, record printing, failure reports, and alarm alerts.
Interchangeable IBC Containers
Compatible with different materials for versatile production.
Fully Automated Operation
Automatically performs lifting and mixing.
Compact & Modern Design
Space-efficient with a sleek appearance and 99% mixing uniformity.
Hygienic & Easy Discharge
Highly polished inner and outer surfaces, with no dead corners, prevent cross-contamination.
IBC Bin Powder Blender Construction Material
Hywell Machinery offers the HTD Series hopper lifting Blender with contact parts available in SS304, SS316L, Titanium, Duplex Stainless Steel, and other materials as required. The electrical components of the control system can be customized to meet the specific needs of customers.
IBC Bin
IBC Tank
IBC Bin Blender Operation
The IBC Bin Mixing Machine, also known as the IBC bin blender, is a widely used industrial powder mixing system known for its high mixing uniformity, dust-free operation, and efficient material handling. The movable IBC bin design significantly enhances operational flexibility by simplifying the processes of loading, mixing, discharging, and cleaning. This powder blender can also be seamlessly integrated with upstream and downstream equipment—such as vacuum conveyors, mills, and packaging systems—to form a complete solid granulation line, effectively reducing dust emissions and preventing cross-contamination caused by repeated material transfers. The HTD Series IBC Bin Blender Machine is engineered for large batch powder mixing and can handle a wide range of powder and granule formulations across pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries, ensuring both high efficiency and compliance with GMP standards.
Post Bin Blender Operational Process
The IBC bin is placed into the rotary frame.
The operator sets parameters via the touchscreen control panel.
The bin is lifted to the desired height.
The driving system starts rotating, mixing the contents for the preset time at the specified speed.
Once the mixing cycle is complete, the system automatically stops at the required mixing level.
The lifting system lowers the bin to the floor.
The operator removes the IBC bin, marking the completion of the mixing process.
The system records and generates a report of the entire mixing process for quality control and traceability.
The HTD Series Bin Blending System ensures a highly uniform mixing of powders and granules, making it ideal for industries that require consistent product quality.
Custom Design & Technical Support
Hywell Machinery offers customized solutions based on your production capacity and facility layout requirements. Our engineers will design an optimal layout plan tailored to your specific workshop conditions and operational needs.
If you are interested in our IBC Bin Mixing Machine, please contact Hywell Machinery for expert consultation and further details.
IBC Bin Diffusive Mixers had the following options
1. Total volume of IBC Bin Diffusive Blender
Total volume sizes range from 100 to 1000 liters.
2. Materials of the IBC Bin Diffusive Blender
Drums can be built in SUS304, SUS316L, Titanium, and Duplex stainless steel.
3. Control system of IBC Bin Diffusive Blender
The lifting powder mixer has more choices, such as a push button or HMI+PLC.
4. Feeding system of the IBC Bin Lifting mixer
The feeding system for the powder blending machine can be by manual or pneumatic conveyor or vacuum feeder.
Cleaning Method of the Bin Powder Mixer
1. Stop operation
Before cleaning, push the hopper of the bin mixer to the cleaning station and push it to a fixed position of the cleaning station so that the cleaning ball can enter the hopper.
2. Clean up the residue
Open the upper cover of the hopper and clean the residue in the mixer. Material adhering to the inner wall and mixing blades can be removed using tools such as scrapers or brushes.
3. Install the cleaning device: manually move the cleaning ball of the lower cleaning station into the hopper.
3. Cleaning process
Turn on the switch of the CIP cleaning station for automatic cleaning interior of the bin.
4. Manual surface cleaning
Use a hand-held cleaning gun to spray dust on the surface of the hopper. You can use a damp cloth or detergent to wipe down the device case to keep it clean and tidy
6. Drying and assembly
Place the cleaned parts in a well-ventilated area to dry. After making sure the parts are completely dry, assemble the parts according to the equipment manual or instructions for use. Make sure all parts are installed and tightened correctly.
IBC Bin Blender Cleaning Process Video
Drying Method of the IBC Bin Powder Blender
After cleaning, the square cone hopper (IBC Bin) should be left to dry naturally. Hywell Machinery also has an integrated cleaning and drying machine. This clean IBC bin device can automatically clean the hopper. After cleaning the hopper, it can switch to the process of automatic hot air drying inside the hopper. The specific usage process is as follows:
1. Move the hopper to the designated position of the cleaning station.
2. Open the upper cover of the IBC bin, lower the cleaning nozzle, and put it into the hopper.
3. Set the cleaning time and turn on the cleaning button. After the automatic cleaning time ends, the cleaning process ends.
4. Set the drying temperature and drying time, and turn on the drying button. After the automatic drying time ends, the drying process ends. If PLC control is adopted, all cleaning and drying settings can automatically complete the cleaning and hopper drying process.
IBC Bin Blender Cleaning and Drying Process Video
HTD IBC Bin Lifting Mixer
Why Choose Hywell Machinery?
With over 20 years of experience, Hywell Machinery has become a trusted bin blender manufacturer in China, supplying advanced powder mixing solutions worldwide.
We integrate design, manufacturing, testing, and after-sales service, ensuring every machine delivers reliable performance and long service life.
FAQ About Bin Blender Machines
Q1: What materials can be mixed in a bin blender?
A1: Bin blenders are suitable for dry powders and granules such as pharmaceutical excipients, food ingredients, and fine chemicals.
Q2: What is the difference between an IBC bin blender and a fixed blender?
A2: The IBC bin blender uses removable containers, allowing multiple batches and materials to be processed without cleaning between runs.
Q3: Is the bin blender GMP compliant?
A3: Yes, all Hywell bin blenders are designed and manufactured to meet GMP standards.
Q4: Can the bin blender be customized?
A4: Absolutely. Hywell can customize size, bin type, control system, and material grade according to your needs.
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