Neptune Upgrades Mixer Gears to Deliver Quieter Operation

Recent feedback from customers highlighted an opportunity for Neptune to reduce the perceived sound levels being emitted from the gear-train on several of its mixer lines. Specifically, this was an occurrence during the early stage of the mixer’s product life when it was still in the “break-in” period. With that valuable feedback in mind, Neptune worked closely with its gear supplier to optimize the gear-tooth profile by increasing the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) Quality Class from a level 6 to a level 9, resulting in tighter manufacturing tolerances on the mesh and backlash, and an improved running-surface finish. This upgraded, quieter gear operation was incorporated on Neptune mixers that went to market in September 2011.

“By doing this we have been able to maintain all of the positive attributes of our mixers while, at the same time, reducing the sound level from the running product,” explained Don Weidemann, Quality Manager for Neptune Chemical Pump Co. “These changes, although subtle, have resulted in a significantly lower perceived and measured sound level.”

The changes also meet the tenets under which Neptune operates within the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System standard, specifically that Neptune solicited and responded to customer feedback concerning this issue, and that it has undertaken continuous improvement of its mixer products and processes.

All Neptune mixers have been designed, engineered and built to provide long life and trouble-free service for a wide variety of blending and mixing operations. They are ideal for waste treatment, water treatment and batch-chemical operations where paints, varnishes, polymers, textile sizes and dyes, pharmaceutical, soaps and countless other materials with viscosities ranging from 1 to more than 25,000 cPs need to be mixed or blended.