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Whip Mix Blog

Choosing a Vacuum Mixer

VPM2 Blue BKGDThe difference between hand mixed and Vacuum Mixed Gypsum and Investment products is obvious to the trained eye. However, what might not be obvious is how to choose a Vacuum Mixer when your current one wears out.

Currently, you still have two basic choices, Mechanical and Electronic. There are reasons for each choice, but you should know your needs first. In your use, do you or your staff spend a significant amount of time mixing? Are you adept at mechanical repairs or not? How important is consistency in the mix? What is your budget?

These things only you would know, but they are important for your choice. For example, most mechanical mixers last longer than the Electronic Mixers. However, a significant reason for that is the ability of the user to do maintenance and repair. Also the availability of parts for the successful brands.

Electronic mixers have smaller motor sizes and electronic boards and parts that have a shorter life span. In addition, as the technology moves forward, these now ‘old technology’ mixers are discontinued and parts are, “few and far between”. Newer Technology and demand creates newer products.

Whip Mix has several options for you to choose from, and we will list them below for you to review.

MECHANICAL

Powermixer Plus -Single drive comes with a 500ml and a 300ml slotted drive Vac-U-Mixer. Probably the most bang for the buck and most practical with most materials.

Combination Unit-High speed and low speed drive with a 500ml slotted drive and 200ml friction drive, high speed Vac-U-Mixer.  Unless you do inlay work like an old school dentist, there is not much need for the high sped drive and the 200ml friction mixer will most likely collect dust.

Ortho Powermixer Plus-Low speed only but also hands free mixing.  The hands free Handy Holder Vac-U-Mixer only comes in the 500ml and 875ml sizes.  Unit only comes with the 875ml included.  All sizes can be used though as the chuck is slotted.

ELECTRONIC

When choosing a hands free/electronic mixer that is programmable our choices are the VPM2 or the VPM Mini. Both use the same Vac-U-Mixer assembly so this is a good aspect if the customer already has the VPM2 and does not want to have an inventory of obsolete accessories.

 VPM2 has the ability to get more elaborate with the programming of the individual programs. Such as pre vacuum, post vacuum, a premix and the ability to do staged mixing clockwise or counter clockwise with the option of varying RPM’s. time in 5 second increments. If a user is looking for the ability to create very specific programs, the VPM2 is a good choice. The unit also stores up to 99 programs.

VPM Mini will allow RPMs to be set from 100 to 500 and allow up to 9 minutes and 55 seconds of mix time in 5-second increments. If the user wants a basic mix at a lower cost that is easy to program the VPM Mini is the better option.

If you are looking for the employee time saving’s of hands free mixing, then the electronics are the way to go. If you are looking for consistency, then Electronics are the way to go.

Variety is the Spice of Life, but ultimately we need to choose and get mixing!

Will Devine, CDT, TE

Will Devine, CDT, TE is retired from the United States Air Force and has over 28 years of dental laboratory experience. As a Technical Support Representative at Whip Mix, Will’s primary focus is assisting customers with questions regarding our consumable products and equipment.