To blend more than 300 glass compositions, in unlimited colors, the company relies on a Munson Rotary Match Mixer.
The mixer has a horizontal, rotating drum that is supported on either end by trunnion rings and driven by rollers, powered by a 5 horsepower motor. It has a stationary inlet at one end and a stationary outlet with a discharge gate at the other end. Mixing flights tumble the batch in a multi-directional manner.
The liner and other contact surfaces are made of abrasion resistant steel, designed to withstand the abrasive mixture, particularly sand. Mixing times are only about 5 minutes — less than half the time required by a pan mixer the company used previously.
The mixer provides a continual supply of mixed glass ingredients to the furnaces. As soon as one batch has been discharged, the machine is cleaned and readied for the next batch. The machine processes 10 to 20 batches per day, typically of several different colors, so it is important to avoid residue from one batch to another.
