Grinding Mills - Vertical
Principle of Operation
The fluid product to be dispersed is pumped upward through a water-jacketed grinding vessel at a controlled rate by an external, pumping system.
The fluid in the vessel is subjected to a combination of intense impact and high-shear forces created by the impeller system and media particles. The effect is to produce a smooth, uniform, finely ground deagglomerated pigment, thoroughly wetted to its primary particle size.
Media is retained in the vessel by a screen system, which allows the fluid to flow and be collected.
Fineness of grind depends on dwell time in the vessel, media loading, media size, media density, formulation of the premix, and effectiveness of the preliminary mixing and wetting.
Vertical vs. Horizontal Grinding Mills
| Technology | Model Type | Cost | Efficiency | Target Size | Mat'l of Construction |
| Vertical | Red Head | Lower | Single/Multi-pass | < 6 microns | Standard |
| Horizontal | KD | Medium | Single-pass | < 2 microns | Advanced |
| ECM | Higher | Higher output | < 0.2 microns | Exotic |
Production Grinding Mills
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Sealed Model | “Red Head” Small Media Grinding Mills are proven performers. They are vertical grinding mills designed to grind / disperse: paints, inks, dyes, chemical coatings, magnetic tape coatings, paper coatings, agricultural chemicals, minerals, chocolate, etc. “Red Head” Grinding Mills have been in service for over 50 years and continue to meet many customer’s needs. They are available in the original open design or with Seal Kits to eliminate fugitive vapor emissions. |
 Open Model |
Technologically, “Red Head” Grinding Mills have evolved since 1955. They are economical, efficient, easily controlled grinding mills that are easily adapted to a variety of wet milling applications. Current models feature a high efficiency agitator shaft assembly, increasing productivity up to 200%.
There are six basic sizes of open or sealed production grinding mills. Typical batches range from ten to more than several thousand gallons and outputs ranging from eight to more than 800 GPH. “Red Head” Open Grinding Mills are reliable, easy to operate, and simple to maintain. Sealed models are designed to provide the same reliability as open models and reduce VOC emissions.
Please click on the model that matches your output needs from the list below:
| MODEL (S denotes sealed unit) | Output Gal/Hr. | Batch Range Gallons |
| 3-P / 3-PS | 8-45 | 10-125 |
| 8-P / 8-PS | 30-75 | 25-400 |
| 16-P / 16-PS | 60-160 | 50-750 |
| 30-P / 30-PS | 100-350 | 150 & up |
| 60-P / 60-PS | 170-600 | 300 & up |
| 180-P / 180-PS | 350-1,800 | 900 & up |
Lab Grinding Mills
Capable of producing small-lot dispersions, “Red Head” Laboratory Grinding Mills are easily adapted for operation on a utility drill press with an explosion-proof motor and a spindle speed of 2400 RPM or with our CB Mills’ laboratory power stand.
All have stainless steel contact parts with either cast alloy or nylon agitators. Lab grinding mills are ideal for checking quality of incoming materials, media types, and milling capability.
By optimizing the process in the lab, users can improve:
Product formulation
Formulation viscosity
Media type
Media size
Media loading
Residence time
to positively affect production time.
Please learn more about our laboratory mills.