Simpson Pyrotechnic Muller

Safer Production and Reliable Design for Pyrotechnic Applications

The modern Simpson Mix-Muller® is the product of many years of close cooperation with leading pyrotechnic manufacturers worldwide. Typically used in the production of explosive, tracer, pyrotechnic igniter, delay, illuminating, infrared flares, photoflash, heat powders, and smoke compositions the Simpson Mix-Muller® is available with many optional features in addition to those normally provided, and specified herein. Please don’t hesitate to request or suggest design modifications to the standard equipment.

As a member of the International Pyrotechnics Society and a longtime supplier to the pyrotechnic industry, Simpson continues to supply equipment and services which are the best of their respective kind, and in conformance with modern industry practices.

Project Information Worksheet

The Simpson Mix-Muller has been used in the production of black powder pyrotechnic compounds for over 100 years!

Description

Pyrotechnic Mix-Muller for the safe production of ignitable materials.
 

Application

For the safe production of ignitable material characteristically utilized in the pyrotechnical industry.

Features

  • Robust design to reduce accidental spark
  • Remote operated discharge
  • Explosion-proof motor, Class 1 & D, Groups D, E, F, and G

Simpson SML Series Pyrotechnic Lab Muller

Laboratory Sized Mix-Muller provides a solution for Research & Development experiments directly scalable to production capacity in a safe, controlled environment. Experiments and rapid prototyping can be utilized to improve process and material efficiency while synthesizing the theory in a low-risk setting that replicates the high performance, homogenization, and safety features seen in the Simpson GP Series Pyrotechnic Mix-Mullers.

Batch Capacity: 0.09ft3 | 2.5 Liter

Customization Options:

  • Cooling/Heating jacket around mixer side walls

Simpson GP Series Pyrotechnic Mix-Muller

For the safe production of explosive materials–leading the industry in longevity and reliability. Smaller production machines are more effective in that smaller batches are handled, providing more ease of material handling. Consistent results and repeatable process control are achieved with the intensive mixing action of mulling. The unique kneading, smearing, and spatulate actions of mulling carefully regulates and develops each component of the mix to its maximum potential. This allows for a lower risk of ignition with no moving parts and extensive process control, which includes thermal control for exothermic and endothermic reactions. The Simpson Mix-Muller continually has proven itself a valuable asset in the mixing of explosives.

Batch Capacity: 0.75ft3 | 20.0 Liter

Customization Options:

  • Cooling/Heating jacket under mixer bottom
  • Cooling/Heating jacket around mixer side walls
  • High pressure heating jacket
  • Remote drive
  • High crib

Simpson 05GP Series Pyrotechnic Mix-Muller

For the safe production of explosive materials–leading the industry in longevity and reliability. Smaller production machines are more effective in that smaller batches are handled, providing more ease of material handling. Consistent results and repeatable process control are achieved with the intensive mixing action of mulling. The unique kneading, smearing, and spatulate actions of mulling carefully regulates and develops each component of the mix to its maximum potential. This allows for a lower risk of ignition with no moving parts and extensive process control, which includes thermal control for exothermic and endothermic reactions. The Simpson Mix-Muller continually has proven itself a valuable asset in the mixing of explosives.

Batch Capacity: 3ft3 | 85.0 Liter

Customization Options:

  • Cooling/Heating jacket under mixer bottom
  • Cooling/Heating jacket around mixer side walls
  • High pressure heating jacket
  • Remote drive
  • High crib

Simpson’s Commitment to Safety

Caution was used in adapting the Simpson Mix-Muller for use in the pyrotechnic industry. Close cooperation with leading manufacturers and government agencies over a period of years has been invaluable to our work along this line. The objective was to create a machine to produce high energetic materials with a minimal risk. Remote control allows the unit to be operated and discharged from a safe distance. Wire locking of the nuts, bolts, and grease fittings inhibits the opportunity for sparking. Machined surfaces and tight tolerances prevent material build up. The drive motor is an explosion-proof motor manufactured to meet Class 1 and 2, Groups D, E, F, and G for hazardous duty applications. The unit is grounded to eliminate static electricity, which is one of the most concerning conditions when working with pyrotechnic and explosive materials. Simpson continues to improve the design to ensure safety stays a priority.

Equipment Overview


Muller Main Body
All internal machine components are constructed of #304 (EN 1.4301) stainless steel. The interior surfaces of the mixing pan will be machined smooth to close tolerances. All nuts, bolts, and grease fittings on the interior of the mixer are held in place by wire-locking.

Intensive mixing is accomplished by a mixing tool set, rotating counterclockwise, consisting of two (2x) cast stainless steel mulling wheels vertically mounted 180 degrees apart on suspension rocker arms and two (2x) mixing plows mounted on a crosshead. Crosshead consists of a one-piece, streamlined crosshead casting to prevent material build-up. The inside and outside plow straps are of one-piece construction with vertical and horizontal adjustment at the top of the crosshead. Any cast steel surfaces are blasted or machined to give a smooth surface and promote ease of cleaning.

The muller caps are flush with the side face of the mullers and are equipped with a plugged lubrication port to provide for lubrication (for the Mix-Muller). The Mix-Muller is fitted with a standard grease nipple must be inserted in place of the plug to again lubricate the muller wheel bearings. The mullers are equipped with oil impregnated bronze bushings.

Two (2x) plows provide blending and movement of the material into the muller wheel path. Complete coverage of the mixing pan assures no dead spots in the mixing operation.

Discharge of composition is accomplished by remote operation of an automatic, pneumatically operated bottom discharging single door.


Muller Power System
The muller crosshead is driven through a keyed connection to a vertical drive shaft. The drive shaft is supported in the muller by a completely sealed crosshead support turret constructed as part of the muller crib. The bottom of the drive shaft fits into the gear reducer. The gear reducer consists of steel helical gearing with anti-friction bearings totally enclosed in a cast iron housing and provided with splash type lubrication.

Drive consists of a motor mounted on the machine base and coupled to the reducer by a manually adjustable mechanical variable speed drive arrangement to allow vertical shaft speeds. The drive motor is an explosion-proof motor manufactured to meet Class 1 and 2, Groups D, E, F, and G for hazardous duty applications.

For the Mix Muller: The starter shall be NEMA size one (1), type 7 & 9 with a circuit breaker type disconnect and equipped with start/stop pushbuttons. The starter is manufactured to meet Class 1 Groups C and D, and Class 2 groups E, F, and G for hazardous duty applications.

Pyrotechnic Compositions

Continuing the Legacy

Beginning in 1942, the Monsanto Chemical Company developed a new type of explosive and destroyed the three standard No. 2UD Simpson Mix-Mullers in their test and development work before placing an order for over 100 highly customized Mix-Mullers to take full advantage of modern components and materials of construction. The byproducts of these Simpson Mix-Muller supported the WWII war effort. Many from the Monsanto order in the 1940s are still in operation to this day.