Cole Parmer BM-200 Mixer/Mill User manual

1300-87059-1M, REV 3
BM-200 Mixer/Mill
Rock and Mineral Grinder for Spectroscopy Applications
Operation Manual
For 115V/230V (04576-27)

BM-200 Mixer/Mill®
1300-87059-1M, REV 3 Cole-Parmer® Page 2 of 16
Copyright 2023 by Cole-Parmer
All rights reserved. No part of the work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical; including photocopying and recording, except as
may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher.
Requests for permission should be addressed in writing to Cole-Parmer, 65 Liberty Street,
Metuchen, NJ 08840.
SPEX SamplePrep is now part of Cole-Parmer®.
The Cole-Parmer® BM-200 Mixer/Mill was formerly known as SPEX 5120 Mixer/Mill.
Over the years, we’ve acquired many high-quality and reputable brands. After many years
of continual growth, we realize our brands are all as brilliant as each other. Rather than
have a portfolio of complementary brands, we felt consolidating them under one world-
class brand name enabled us to offer a single and significant brand experience. Through
one brand we can speak in one voice through our team of experts who provide support in
product selection, usage and troubleshooting to empower laboratories to run efficiently
throughout the world.
Same Great Quality!
One World-Class Brand Name!

BM-200 Mixer/Mill®
1300-87059-1M, REV 3 Cole-Parmer® Page 3 of 16
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION
DESCRIPTION
PAGE
1.0 Introduction..................................................................................................................4
2.0 Specifications................................................................................................................5
3.0 Unpacking.....................................................................................................................6
4.0 Setting Up .....................................................................................................................7
4.1 Electrical Connection....................................................................................................7
4.2 Cabinet Set-Up..............................................................................................................7
4.3 Standard Safety Features .............................................................................................7
4.4 CE Safety Features........................................................................................................8
4.5 General Safety ..............................................................................................................8
5.0 Changing the Vial Holder..............................................................................................8
6.0 Operation....................................................................................................................10
6.1 Control Panel ..............................................................................................................10
7.0 Blending and Pulverizing ............................................................................................11
7.1 Mixing .........................................................................................................................11
7.2 Grinding ......................................................................................................................11
8.0 Error Messages...........................................................................................................11
8.1 Lid Error.......................................................................................................................11
8.2 Run Fault .....................................................................................................................11
9.0 Maintenance...............................................................................................................12
10.0 Accessories..................................................................................................................12
11.0 Vial Reference Table...................................................................................................13
12.0 Warranty.....................................................................................................................14
12.1 Product Specifications................................................................................................14
12.2 To Arrange a Return Shipment...................................................................................14
13.0 Instrument Disposal....................................................................................................15
14.0 Contact Us...................................................................................................................16

BM-200 Mixer/Mill®
1300-87059-1M, REV 3 Cole-Parmer® Page 4 of 16
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The BM-200 Mixer/Mill® is an efficient, compact laboratory mill designed for small-scale
sample preparation. It is very effective pulverizing samples in the 1 gram range, or mixing
product samples with volumes up to 3 ml.
Functionally described as ball mill, this Mixer/Mill shakes containers back and forth
thousands of times a minute. The vial, which contains a sample and one ball, is shaken in a
complex motion that combines back-and-forth swings with short lateral movements, each
end of the vial describing a figure-8. With each swing the ball impacts against one end of
the vial, simultaneously milling the sample to a powder and blending it.
Sample grinding is often performed manually with a mortar and pestle, an approach that is
not practical for day-to-day screening since manual grinding of rock-like material is slow,
and re-use of mortars and pestles may lead to cross-contamination.
Ideal for pulverizing the toughest rocks, minerals, cement and ceramics, rapidly reducing
samples to analytical fineness, blending powders, and making emulsions. Finely grinding
the sample increases the surface area to improve acid dissolution for ICP, AA, and pellet
pressing or fusion bead for XRF.
The features include: modern design, operating commands through a digital timer, large
clear lid for visibility of sample loading area, safety interlock, interchangeable vial holders
and the clamp orientation makes it easy to load/unload samples. A choice of steel, agate,
tungsten carbide, and plastic vials are available for purchase. Interchangeable vial holders
for each vial type are sold separately.
Operation is simple: the vial is secured in a clamp, and the lid closed. The controls are
checked for the proper running time, rate, and the RUN button pushed. When the run is
complete, the lid is lifted, and the vials are unclamped.
NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT OPERATE THE BM-200 MIXER/MILL®UNTIL YOU HAVE READ
THESE INSTRUCTIONS AND ARE FAMILIAR WITH ITS CONTROLS AND CLAMP
MECHANISM. THE BM-200 MIXER/MILL®IS INTENDED FOR USE ONLY BY
QUALIFIED AND TRAINED PERSONNEL.

BM-200 Mixer/Mill®
1300-87059-1M, REV 3 Cole-Parmer® Page 5 of 16
2.0 SPECIFICATIONS
Type of Mill:
Ball Mill
Display:
Digital
Grinding
Mechanism:
Grinding balls of stainless steel, tungsten carbide, or agate.
Dimensions
15 in. (38 cm) long x 8 in. (20.5 cm) wide x 11 in. (30 cm) high.
Weight:
23 lbs. (10.4 kg) with external power supply.
Capacity:
One polycarbonate vial (cap with steel inserts), one polycarbonate
vial (cap with tungsten carbide inserts), one agate vial, or four
polyethylene vials.
Clamp Speed:
Fixed Speeds (rpm): 750, 2000, 3000, 3500.
Electrical
Specifications:
CE approved. 115V/230V, 60/50Hz. CSA approved.
Circuit Breaker:
Same as ON/OFF Switch.
Power Cord:
115V/60Hz model: 3-prong grounded plug supplied.
230V/50Hz model: 2-prong European plug supplied.
Operator is responsible for supplying alternate line cord/plug.
Safety Features:
Interlock prevents mill from running if lid is open.
Run Timer:
Maximum 5 minutes.
Motor:
1/7 HP. Maximum speed 4200 rpm.
Environment:
For indoor use only at a maximum altitude of 6600 ft. (2000 m).
Operate at ambient conditions between 40°F (5°C) and 104°F (40°C),
with maximum relative humidity 80% below 88°F (31°C) decreasing
linearly to 50% at 104°F (40°C). Main supply voltage fluctuations up
to 10% of nominal voltage (115 or 230 volts AC RMS). Pollution
degree 1: none or only dry, conductive pollution occurs.

BM-200 Mixer/Mill®
1300-87059-1M, REV 3 Cole-Parmer® Page 6 of 16
3.0 UNPACKING
Inspect the exterior of the packing box and report any visible damage to the carrier.
Remove all packing documents from the exterior of the box, and save them for your
records. Open the top of the shipping box. Remove the packing material and accessories,
and gently lift out the BM-200 Mixer/Mill®. Visually check the mill for any damage that may
have occurred during shipping. Open the lid, remove packing from around the clamp
mechanism and cut the zip ties securing the clamp arm. Tilt the cabinet and remove the
two shipping red bolts on the bottom. They hold the floating baseplate to the cabinet for
shipping. Check the packing list to see that there are no parts missing, and inspect the
accessories. We recommend storing the packaging materials in the event there is a need to
return the unit for warranty service or repairs.
Vials and vial holders are necessary for processing samples but must be purchased
separately. The full range of vials and accessories for the BM-200 Mixer/Mill® is described
in this manual, or Cole-Parmer.com.
NOTE: Before operating, remove the shipping two red bolts from the bottom of the BM-200
Mixer/Mill; otherwise the mill may be damaged. The two red bolts should be
reinserted if the unit is ever to be shipped or transported.
Figure 2 –Back View
On/Off
Switch
(2) Shipping
Bolts
AC Inlet
Figure 1 –Front View
Control Panel
Lid
Lid Handle

BM-200 Mixer/Mill®
1300-87059-1M, REV 3 Cole-Parmer® Page 7 of 16
4.0 SETTING UP
The BM-200 Mixer/Mill® weighs 23 pounds (10.4 Kg). The lid opens from the front with the
handle in the center. The AC Inlet and On/Off switch are located on the back of the cabinet,
as shown in Figure 2. The control panel is fixed to the front side of the unit (Figure 1).
4.1 Electrical Connection
The detachable power cord should be plugged firmly into its inlet, then into an electrical
outlet. Make sure that the electrical outlet is easily accessible in case it becomes necessary
to unplug the unit. For 115V/60HZ use, a 3-prong outlet. The 230V/50HZ BM-200
Mixer/Mill power cord has a standard European 2-prong plug, but modification by the user
may be necessary to meet local electrical codes.
4.2 Cabinet Set-Up
To open the lid, grasp the gray handle and raise the lid to its full upright position. Allow the
lid to rest against the cabinet in its open position. To close, grasp the gray handle and lower
the lid until it is fully closed.
4.3 Standard Safety Features
Clamp Locking Tab: Place a vial holder in the clamp. Note, the Agate and Tungsten Carbide
vials have different holders. The holder must be inserted in the Clamp with the proper
Orientation, as shown in Figure 3). Push the Holder Cover down and close the clamp arm
by pushing it down then pressing the locking Tab inwards until it clasps the clamp arm.
Stretch the safety ring around the clamp arm knob to secure the vial in holder. To remove
vial (or holder), unclasp the safety ring and locking tab from the clamp arm and extend the
arm to the open position.
Figure 3 –The Clamp Locking Tab
Locking Tab with
Safety Ring
Stretch Safety
Ring around
Clamp Arm Knob

BM-200 Mixer/Mill®
1300-87059-1M, REV 3 Cole-Parmer® Page 8 of 16
4.4 CE Safety Features
CE directives require that electricity to the motor and timer be interrupted whenever the lid
is open, and that the clamp must stop completely before the lid is opened.
Safety Interlock: If the RUN button is pressed while the lid is open, the BM-200 Mixer/Mill
will not start. During operation, if the lid is opened, the motor will immediately stop, and
movement of the clamp mechanism will cease.
4.5 General Safety
5.0 CHANGING THE VIAL HOLDER
The clamp mechanism is the most critical component of the mill. Sample vial holders must
be held securely in the clamp during operation to prevent damage and leakage.
Only use a vial holder that is designed for the appropriate vial. See Table A. below for a list
of the vial holders and suitable vial types.
Table A.
Holder
# Vials and Vial Size
Vial Set
Grinding Balls or Beads
1211
(04500-07)
Holds four polyethylene vials
2241R-PEF
(04500-37)
6.35 mm Steel or 6 mm Zirconia
2154 (04575-44) or 2186 (04575-60)
1215
(04575-32)
Holds one Stainless Steel vial
5005
(04576-25)
7.9 mm Stainless Steel (included
with vial)
Holds one Tungsten Carbide vial
5006
(04576-26)
7.9 mm Tungsten Carbide (included
with vial)
1217
(04575-34)
Holds one Agate vial
3120
(04575-93)
6.35 mm Agate
Caution: Every effort has been made to ensure the BM-200 Mixer/Mill
operates at a moderate noise level. The intensity of noise is directly
impacted by the type of grinding vial, type of balls, run speed (e.g.
3500 rpm) and sample hardness. Ear protection is recommended.
Figure 4 –1211 Vial Holder
(5ml Polyethylene Vials)
Figure 5 –1217 Vial Holder
(Agate Vial)

BM-200 Mixer/Mill®
1300-87059-1M, REV 3 Cole-Parmer® Page 9 of 16
5.0 CHANGING THE VIAL HOLDER (Cont’d)
The vial holder can be placed or removed from the clamp mechanism with or without
sample loaded vials, as shown in displayed in Figure 6.
1) Unclasp the safety ring and locking tab from the clamp arm.
2) Fully extend the clamp arm to the open position.
3) Insert the vial holder into the clamp and carefully press down until it fits snug in
the cradle.
4) Place the vials into the holder.
5) Push the Holder Cover down.
6) Close the clamp arm, pushing it down then pressing the locking tab inwards until
it clasps the arm.
7) Stretch the safety ring around the clamp arm knob to secure the vials in holder.
8) Program a run as described in section 6.1.
Figure 6 –Inserting (Removing) Vial Holder
Clamp
Arm
Locking Tab
Safety Ring
Holder Cover

BM-200 Mixer/Mill®
1300-87059-1M, REV 3 Cole-Parmer® Page 10 of 16
6.0 OPERATION
NOTE: Never run the BM-200 Mixer/Mill with the clamp arm unfastened or not
properly secured. Damage and leakage will result.
6.1 Control Panel
6.1.1 Digital Timer
To set a programmed run use the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons to adjust the runtime.
Press the plus button (+) to increase the time in 5-second increments or press the minus
button (-) to decrease the time in 5-second increments. Maximum runtime is 5.00 min.
To set the rate use the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons to adjust the run speed. Press the plus
(+) and minus (-) buttons to set the rate at the following fixed speeds to 750 rpm, 2000 rpm,
3000 rpm, or 3500 rpm.
Push the Run button to begin a programmed run. The timer counts down in 1-second
increments, showing the time left in the run. When the timer reaches zero and the motor
shuts off, the timer will display RUN COMPLETE. The safety interlock switch prevents the
BM-200 Mixer/Mill from running if the lid is open.
To have the unit pause during a run and retain the timer setting, push the PAUSE button.
The motor will shut off and PAUSED will appear in the display window. To resume the run,
close lid and push RUN; the timer will briefly display the exact number of seconds left in the
run and then continue to count down in 1-second increments. To abort the run, push STOP;
RUN ABORTED will appear in the display window.
Display
Run
Button
Pause
Button
Stop
Button
Time Increase
and Decrease
Buttons
Speed Increase
and Decrease
Buttons
Figure 7 –Control Panel