Ajax Equipment’s hygienic mixer offers engineering versatility

Solids handling specialist Ajax Equipment has launched a new food-grade, stainless steel twin-screw continuous mixer, integrating over 55 years of engineering innovation to address the dual challenges of mixing precision and rapid sanitation.

As food manufacturers increasingly handle a diverse range of complex ingredients — from delicate nuts and cereals to sticky syrups and chocolate pastes — the demand for equipment that can transition between product types without compromising integrity is rising.

The new Ajax twin mixer is designed specifically to achieve high-homogeneity blends while protecting fragile ingredients through a choice of gentle “LynFlow” ribbon augers or slightly higher-shear paddle augers.

The design focuses heavily on reducing the “non-productive” hours associated with cleaning and changeovers. Key operational features include:

• Rapid accessibility: highly polished internals are accessible via easy-access covers, and augers can be withdrawn from one end of the machine without disturbing the drive arrangement.
• Integrated cleaning: a specialised blanking plate allows the mixer to be filled with cleaning fluid and run safely, using the screw rotation to automate the removal of product residue.
• Process flexibility: an inverter-rated motor allows operators to fine-tune mixing intensity, while the profiled casing eliminates “dead areas” where material could otherwise stagnate and cause cross-contamination.

The launch mirrors a broader industry shift toward “smarter” and more integrated production environments seen across the trade. Much like the latest inspection hardware is becoming more accessible to non-technical staff , Ajax is prioritising ease of use and flexibility to help manufacturers remain resilient amid ongoing labour shortages. Furthermore, the emphasis on material testing before installation aligns with the trend toward “demonstrating control” and reducing waste to protect margins.

“Food production is one of the most demanding processes with producers wanting to deliver a variety of high quality products safely and efficiently, often with delicate ingredients,” says Eddie McGee, managing director at Ajax Equipment. “The use of quick release augers provides flexibility by enabling manufacturers to easily switch between different types of screws for mixing different products.”

Industry analysts note that as retailer scrutiny intensifies, the ability for equipment to support “forensic” levels of hygiene and consistency is becoming a competitive differentiator.