Retsch TM 500 drum mill
The Retsch TM 500 drum mill is a high-performance laboratory bead mill that has been specially developed for extensive grinding and mixing tasks. With a sample capacity of up to 35 liters and variable speeds from 10 to 50 min-¹, this mill covers a wide range of applications in research and production. Thanks to its flexible configuration, it allows both robust, coarse comminution processes and ultra-fine grinding down to below 15 µm. This makes it far superior to conventional drum mills and enables precise, reproducible results. Similar features to the [Retsch PM 100] also offer impressive performance in various industries.
High performance and versatile areas of application
This drum mill meets the requirements of professional users from industries such as chemicals, metallurgy, environmental technology and pharmaceutical technology. Thanks to the flexibility in the selection of grinding ball sizes and the ability to grind for up to 100 hours, even heat-sensitive materials can be processed efficiently and gently. An optionally available foodGrade version allows contamination-sensitive processes in the food industry, so that even sensitive ingredients can be ground safely.
Easy loading via a feed hopper ensures particularly convenient operation. This grinder is the ideal solution for anyone who needs to handle specific grinding tasks in large volumes but still requires fineness in the µm range. The design with drum sizes of 150 liters is designed to achieve optimum results through impact and friction. High-performance alternatives such as the [Retsch PM 400] also provide high shredding forces, but the drum mill opens up additional possibilities for higher throughputs thanks to its large drum volume.
Technical features for professional applications
The combination of friction and impact effects makes the device suitable for a wide range of materials: from hard, brittle materials to fibrous or soft samples. Reliable control via the touch display is also guaranteed for adjusting or monitoring the following parameters:
- Travel speed range: 10 - 50 min-¹
- Drive power: 2.2 kW for powerful grinding
- Sample volume: 1 to 35 liters (depending on task and configuration)
- Final fineness: < 15 µm with appropriate material properties
- Time setting: up to 99:59:59, including pause and interval mode
- Grinding tools: hardened steel, stainless steel or 316L steel
- Protection class: IP 30 for reliable operation
All versions have a stable base frame and are optimized for ergonomic operation. The electronically tilting bowl makes emptying easier, while an optional separating sieve simplifies the separation of sample and grinding balls. Even with large ball loads of up to 80 kg, this increases safety and ease of use.
Relevant standards and special features
The appliance bears the CE mark and therefore meets all relevant safety and quality requirements in the EU. A foodGrade option with 316L stainless steel bowl and hopper is available for particularly hygiene-critical areas in food production. This version prevents contamination of even the most sensitive materials and makes cleaning much easier.
Concrete application examples
- In the chemical industry, the mill handles demanding pulverization and mixing processes, for example for catalysts or metal oxides.
- For metallurgical investigations, it can easily crush rocks, ores and alloys to the desired particle size.
- In environmental technology, it is used to crush electronic waste, compost or sludge so that subsequent treatment processes run more efficiently.
- Processing in the pharmaceutical and food industries includes powdered active ingredients, herbs, plant residues or other sensitive materials that must not be contaminated.
FAQs
How can a uniform final fineness be achieved?
An adapted combination of suitable grinding ball sizes and optimized speed is crucial. Different ball diameters are often used to achieve a uniform grinding profile.
Can the machine also be used for long-term grinding?
Yes, thanks to digital time control and adjustable grinding pauses and intervals, even grinding for up to 100 hours can be realized without any problems.
Is it possible to cool the samples?
Heat-sensitive materials benefit from regular grinding pauses and changes in the direction of rotation. A direct cooling device is not integrated, but can be added externally if required.
What safety functions are available
An emergency switch enables the motor to be switched off immediately. In addition, the appliance will not switch on as long as any open drum could pose a safety risk.
Summary
The TM 500 is ideal for grinding and homogenizing large sample quantities in laboratories and production. Thanks to the variable setting of speed, grinding time and application locations, it is unrivaled in terms of performance, ease of use and versatility. Thanks to its CE conformity and optional food-grade design, it can be operated safely and efficiently in a wide range of industries under demanding conditions.
