LFA RBM 100 User manual

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We don’t just sell machines—
we provide service.
RBM™Ribbon Blender Range
User Manual

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Copyright Notice
© LFA Machines Oxford Limited, published in 2021 by LFA Machines Oxford Limited 2021.
Registered in England and Wales, company number 08428898, registered office for service
Demar House 14 Church Road East Wittering, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 8PS.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or
by any means, or stored in any retrieval system of any nature, without prior permission, except
for fair dealing under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, or in accordance with the
terms of license issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency in respect of photocopying and/or
reprographic reproduction. Application for permission for other use of the copyright material
including permission to reproduce extracts in other published works shall be made to the
publisher. Full acknowledgment or author, publisher and source must be given.
All trade marks are acknowledged and are owned by their respective owners.

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Important Safety Information
READ THIS BEFORE OPERATING MACHINE
Intended Use
The intended use of this machine is to
thoroughly blend dry or moist raw materials.
Potential misuse of this machine includes:
• Completely filling the ribbon blender with
material (over 70% full).
• Filling the ribbon blender with materials
before conducting a test run.
• Using materials that are too hard or have
long fibers.
Personal Protection
For personal protection while transporting the
RBM™, abide by these actions:
• Use a forklift to lift the machine.
• Wear steel toe boots to prevent foot injury.
• Wear heavy duty grip gloves to ensure firm
grasp on machine.
• Wear back support belt to prevent injury if
needed.
For personal protection while operating the
RBM™, abide by these actions:
• Avoid wearing loose jewelry to prevent
machine entanglement.
• Contain long hair to prevent machine
entanglement.
• Wear safety goggles.
• Wear disposable latex/rubber gloves.
• Wear a hairnet (food grade products only).
• Wear a beard net if needed (food grade
products only).
General Hazards
• Be aware of risk of entanglement and pinch
point due to moving parts.
• Do not operate in a wet environment or with
wet hands due to risk of electrical shock or
burn.
• Do not operate if any wires are damaged,
pinched, or frayed due to risk of electrical
shock or burn.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Keep fingers and head away from all moving
parts.
• Ensure that the machine is on either stable,
level ground or a stand.
• Inspect machine before use.
• Check that nuts and bolts are suitably
tightened.
• Use this machine only for its intended use
as described in this manual.
• Turn off and unplug the machine before
conducting cleaning and maintenance.
• Do not modify the machine in any way.
Safety Assessment
It is critical to conduct a safety assessment to
ensure that it complies with all local laws and
industry accepted safety regulations.
If you require guidance on the installation of the
machine or conducting a safety assessment,
please contact LFA Machines.

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WARNING
This signals potential risk for personal injury.
Modes for Stopping
WARNING
This signals potential risk for electrical shock.
Symbols
Important Safety Information
READ THIS BEFORE OPERATING MACHINE
In the case of an emergency during operation, immediately push the red OFF button and unplug.
CAUTION
This signals potential risk for damage to the
machine or other parts.
Prop. 65 Warning for CA Residents
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including nickel
(metallic), which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, and
chromium, which is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or
other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

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Table of Contents
Copyright Notice 2
Important Safety Information 3
Intended Use 3
Personal Protection 3
General Hazards 3
Safety Assessment 3
Symbols 4
Modes for Stopping 4
Prop. 65 Warning for CA Residents 4
RBM™Ribbon Blender Parts List 6
Preface 7
Training 8
On-Site/Off-Site Training 8
Training via Video Chat/Phone 8
LFA Articles 8
LFA Videos 8
Installation 9
Tools and Materials Needed 9
The Appropriate Workstation for the Machine 9
Positioning the RBM™Ribbon Blender 10
Electrical Controls 13
Settings and Adjustment 19
Maintenance 20
General Maintenance Prescriptions 20
Lubrication 20
Cleaning 24
Troubleshooting 27
Common Machine Issues 27
Storing the RBM™Ribbon Blender 28
Appendix 29
Glossary 29
Material of Contact Parts 30
Technical Specifications 30
Maintenance Checklist 31
Diagrams 32
Resources 39

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RBM™Ribbon Blender Parts List
1. Gearbox
2. Motor
3. Bearings
4. Seal
5. Powder Inlet
6. Ribbon Agitator
7. Rotating Shaft
8. Discharge Chute
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Preface
The RBM™Ribbon Blender range of machines consists of five highly efficient, trough-format
mixers ranging from a capacity of 100 liters to 3000 liters. The machines' stainless steel mixing
blades thoroughly combine dry or moist materials, including powders and pastes, and have a
clearance between the interior wall of the mixing container and blades that allows a high degree of
consistency and homogeneity. Ideal for the chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries, these
machines have been designed according to GMP principles so that they are easily cleaned and
able to resist chemical damage. Equipped with simple controls and ruggedly built, the RBM™Ribbon
Blender range is straightforward in its operation and maintenance.
The purpose of this document is to support your understanding of the RBM™Ribbon Blender
range’s components, features, functions, and design. With this manual, you will be able to
successfully operate and maintain your RBM™Ribbon Blender machine.
The user manual’s content includes:
• Important safety information
• RBM™Ribbon Blender installation instructions
• Description of the RBM™Ribbon Blender's operation
• RBM™Ribbon Blender maintenance information
• Appendix with supplemental information

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Training
RBM™Ribbon Blender training is essential for the machine’s successful operation and your
personal safety. There are several methods to prepare you for working with the RBM™Ribbon
Blender.
On-Site/Off-Site Training
LFA technicians can travel and train you at your own facility with your own machines. LFA also
offers free training at our UK, USA, and Taiwan facilities for all our customers and their teams.
For more information, go to https://www.lfatabletpresses.com/services
Training via Video Chat/Phone
Using an online video chat system, an LFA technician can interact face-to-face with you and assist
with your understanding of the machine. Or, if you prefer, LFA can provide training via phone for all
customers who call the office. To set up a training, call or email your local LFA office:
UK
Phone
[phone]
Email
[email protected]
Taiwan
Phone
[phone]
Email
[e-mail]
USA
Phone
[phone]
Email
sales.us[email protected]
LFA Articles
LFA writes informative articles about powder mixers, which includes instructions, procedures, and
guides. To access the articles, go to https://www.lfatabletpresses.com/articles
LFA Videos
LFA has created several videos involving powder mixers. To access the videos, go to https://www.
lfamixers.com/videos or https://www.youtube.com/user/TabletPilPress

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Installation
Tools and Materials Needed
Before you install and operate the RBM™Ribbon Blender, it is best to have the following tools and
materials on hand for general operation and maintenance:
• Forklift rated to lift at least 5,000 kg (two forklifts for larger machine range with extended forks)
• Straps rated for at least 5,000 kg
• Lifting straps rated to lift at least 5,000 kg
• Spirit level
• Metric wrench set
• Set of metric Allen keys with ball ends
• Lubricant (NSF approved for food grade products)
• Grease gun
• Bagless vacuum or shop vacuum (larger machine range)
• Pressure washer (larger machine range)
• Ladder (larger machine range)
• Cleaner (e.g. Member's Mark Commercial Lemon Disinfectant)
• Sanitizer (e.g. Member's Mark Commercial Sanitizer)
• Cleaning brush set
• Plastic sheet or something similar to cover machine
• Safety goggles
• Disposable latex/rubber gloves
• Hairnet and/or beard net (food grade products only)
• Sterile shoe covers (food grade products only)
The Appropriate Workstation for the Machine
Find a stable workspace that supports the RBM™Ribbon Blender's weight.
Machine Weight and Floor Loading (Static)
RBM 100™250 kg (550 lbs) 1.647 kN/m2
RBM 150™500 kg (1100 lbs) 5.502 kN/m2
RBM 200™500 kg (1100 lbs) 5.502 kN/m2
RBM 400™600 kg (1320 lbs) 6.602 kN/m2
RBM 500™1500 kg (3307 lbs) 26.998 kN/m2
The machine's motor requires a power supply range of 1.5 kW-7.5 kW. Ensure to position the
machine near an appropriate electrical plug.
Environmental Conditions
It is important that the environment in which you operate and store the RBM™Ribbon Blender has
the appropriate temperature and relative humidity levels. These two environmental factors can
potentially cause the machine to rust and/or cause the blended materials to have a lower quality.
The table below shows the acceptable temperature and relative humidity levels:
MACHINE TEMPERATURE HUMIDITY
RBM™Ribbon Blender °C °F 20-80% RH
0-40 32-104

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READ BEFORE INSTALLATION:
Depending on local health and safety laws, the RBM™Ribbon Blender may
be required to be installed in a cage. A risk assessment is required to be
conducted before installation and operation of the machine.
LFA Machines is able to advise on this. Please contact us for more information:
UK
Phone
[phone]
Email
[email protected]
Taiwan
Phone
[phone]
Email
[e-mail]
USA
Phone
[phone]
Email
sales.us[email protected]
Positioning the RBM™Ribbon Blender
WARNING: To prevent personal injury, wear steel toe boots and heavy duty grip
gloves while transporting the RBM™Ribbon Blender.
LFA recommends carrying the machine with a forklift (or two). At least two
people (four people for larger range) should be involved (one/two operating the
forklift and one/two stabilizing the machine) in removing the machine from the
shipping container and placing it in the workspace.
Moving the RBM™Ribbon Blender (smaller machine range) with a Forklift
Tools and Materials Needed
• Forklift that is rated to lift at least 5,000 kg
• Lifting straps that are rated for at least 5,000 kg
• Spirit level
• Heavy duty grip gloves
• Steel toe boots
Instructions
1. Position the forks of a forklift truck above the machine and securely attach the lifting straps.
2. Feed and secure the lifting straps underneath the Mixing Tank.
3. Carefully lift the machine off the pallet so that it is suspended in the air by the lifting straps.
4. Lower the machine so that it is no more than 2-3 cm off the floor.
5. Position the machine in the desired location and carefully lower the machine.
6. Ensure that the machine is flat on the ground with a spirit level.
7. Plug the machine into the appropriate electrical outlet.

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READ BEFORE INSTALLATION:
LFA Machines is able to advise on installation of the larger range of the
machines. Please contact us for more information:
Moving the RBM™Ribbon Blender (larger machine range) with Forklifts
Tools and Materials Needed
• Two forklifts that are rated to lift at least 5,000 kg
• Fork extensions for both forklifts
• Straps that are rated for at least 5,000 kg
• Spirit level
• Heavy duty grip gloves
• Steel toe boots
Instructions
1. Wrap the straps around the forklifts' forks.
2. Position the extended forks of the forklift trucks under each side of the machine and wrap the
straps on the forks around both sides of the machine.
3. Carefully lift the machine off the pallet.
4. Lower the machine so that it is no more than 2-3 cm off the floor.
5. Position the machine in the desired location and carefully lower the machine.
6. Ensure that the machine is flat on the ground with a spirit level.
7. Remove the straps and plug the machine into the appropriate electrical outlet.
UK
Phone
[phone]
Email
[email protected]
Taiwan
Phone
[phone]
Email
[e-mail]
USA
Phone
[phone]
Email
sales.us[email protected]

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Performing a Test Run After Installation
Tools and Materials Needed
• Materials to blend
• Safety goggles
• Disposable latex/rubber gloves (for food grade products and to protect hands from grease)
• Hairnet and/or beard net (food grade products only)
• Sterile shoe covers (food grade products only)
Instructions
Note: Wear latex/rubber gloves (and appropriate food grade attire if applicable) during this process.
1. Ensure that the Discharge Chute is closed.
2. Plug in the machine and operate it without powder first by pressing the green ON button and
Start button.
2.1 Note: Watch for any abnormalities in the machine operation. Ensure that the ribbons
do not make contact with the Mixing Tank.
3. Press the Stop button to halt operation.
4. Open the Mixing Tank's cover and gradually pour materials into it, beginning with 10% of the full
volume.
5. Press the Start button to resume the test run.
6. Gradually increase the amount of material until it reaches 60% to 70% capacity of the Mixing
Tank's volume.
6.1 Note: Do not fill the Mixing Tank above 70% volume.
80%
60%
25%
Overfill. Do not
fill to this point.

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Electrical Controls
Basic Components
A description of the principal components follows:
• The Mixing Tank contains the materials that are blended.
• The Ribbon Agitator pushes the material from both ends of the Mixing Tank, resulting in the
ingredients continuously flowing in different directions and blending.
• The Rotating Shaft moves, which causes the Ribbon Agitator to blend the materials.
• The Control Panel allows the user to make adjustments to the machine and turn operation on
or off.
• The Discharge Chute releases the mixed ingredients via an air-powered valve.

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Control Panel
1. Light that shows power is on
2. Rotate Mixing Tank in clockwise direction
3. Stop mixing
4. Rotate mixer in counterclockwise direction
5. Open Discharge Chute
6. Close Discharge Chute
7. Mixing Timer setting
8. Continuous mixing or timed mix
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RBM™Ribbon Blender Process
The basic mechanism of the RBM™Ribbon Blender involves filling the Mixing Tank with ingredients,
powering the machine to move the Rotating Shaft and Ribbon Agitator, and discharging the
blended materials.
Filling the Mixing Tank with Materials and Blending Them
The materials are poured into the Mixing Tank. As the machine operates, the Rotating Shaft moves,
which causes the Ribbon Agitator to rotate. During this process, powder is continuously moved in
opposite directions and blended into a homogeneous product.
Discharging the Powder
After the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, the discharge valve at the bottom of the machine
releases the mixed materials.

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Fill Volumes
All machines in the RBM™Ribbon Blender range work on fill volume, rather than maximum weight
capacity of the Mixing Tank, because the weight of a powder mix can vary depending on its bulk
density.
The maximum fill volume represents only a percentage of the total volume of the Mixing Tank and
is dependent on the bulk density of the powder product.
Calculating Bulk Density
Tools and Materials Needed
• Raw material formulation
• Measuring apparatus (e.g. 1 liter cylinder)
• Scale
Instructions
Note: Wear latex/rubber gloves (and appropriate food grade attire if applicable) during this
process.
1. Place the measuring apparatus onto the scale.
1.1 Note: Ensure that the scale displays zero.
2. Fill the measuring apparatus with the raw material to the top.
2.1 Note: Ensure not to tap down or disturb the material while it is being poured.
3. Record the weight of the material in mL.
4. Divide the weight of the material by the volume of the measuring apparatus in mL.
Resources for Calculating Bulk Density
To help with calculating bulk density of a material, LFA offers two resources on our website.
To watch a video on how to calculate the loose bulk density of a material, go to https://www.
lfatabletpresses.com/videos/calculating-bulk-density-making-a-tablet-pill-mix
To see further information on bulk density and use our bulk density calculator, go to https://www.
lfatabletpresses.com/bulk-density-calculator

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How to Mix Materials with the RBM™Ribbon Blender (smaller range)
Tools and Materials Needed
• Raw ingredients
• RBM™Ribbon Blender
• Receptacle for mixed material
• Safety goggles
• Disposable latex/rubber gloves (for food grade products and to protect hands from grease)
• Hairnet and/or beard net (food grade products only)
• Sterile shoe covers (food grade products only)
WARNING: For personal protection while operating the RBM™Ribbon Blender,
contain long hair and do not wear loose jewelry
Instructions
Note: Wear latex/rubber gloves (and appropriate food grade attire if applicable) during this
process.
1. Ensure that the Discharge Chute is closed.
2. Open the Mixing Tank's cover by hand.
3. Pour the raw ingredients into the Mixing Tank.
3.1 Note: Pour enough material to cover the Ribbon Agitator to get the best mixing results.
Do NOT overfill the Mixing Tank. Fill up only to 70% capacity. See graphic below for further
information regarding filling capacity percentages:
80%
60%
25%
4. Close the Mixing Tank's cover.
Overfill. Do not
fill to this point.

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5. Set the mixing time (minutes and seconds).
6. Turn the switch for timed mix.
7. Wait until the timer runs out or press the stop button to halt machine operation.
8. Place the receptacle for the mixed material underneath the Discharge Chute.
9. Press the discharge start button to open the Discharge Chute.
10. Press the discharge stop button to close the Discharge Chute.
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Settings and Adjustment
The RBM™Ribbon Blender’s time settings can be adjusted.
Operation Time
Different materials require a specific amount of time in order to be thoroughly blended and mixed.
The RBM™Ribbon Blender has a timer on its control console that allows the machine's operation
time to be adjusted.
Tools and Materials Needed
• Disposable latex/rubber gloves (for food grade products and to protect hands from grease)
• Hairnet and/or beard net (food grade products only)
• Sterile shoe covers (food grade products only)
Instructions
Note: Wear latex/rubber gloves (and appropriate food grade attire if applicable) during this
process.
1. Input the mixing time (minutes and seconds).
2. Turn the switch to start operation.
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To ensure that the RBM™Ribbon Blender will have a long operational life, maintenance is essential.
This section includes methods for troubleshooting solutions and how often to grease and clean
your machine to keep its performance optimal.
General Maintenance Prescriptions
• Use the maintenance checklist (found in the Appendix) before, during, and after machine
operation.
• Make sure all grease points are maintained and regularly lubricated.
• Use an appropriate amount of lubricant.
• After cleaning the machine, make sure that the parts are dried and oiled.
• Constantly check for any loose nuts and/or screws before, during, and after machine operation.
Lubrication
Regularly greasing your machine is vital to prolonging its operational life. Parts that are not
greased properly can make the machine seize up and cause major problems later. LFA
recommends maintaining a lubrication schedule for your RBM™Ribbon Blender, which can be
found in this section.
Tools and Materials Needed
• NLGI Grade 2 grease
• #20 machine oil or WA 460 oil
• Grease gun
• Metric wrench set
• ¼ inch compression packing rope
• Disposable latex/rubber gloves (for food grade products and to protect hands from grease)
• Hairnet and/or beard net (food grade products only)
• Sterile shoe covers (food grade products only)
WARNING: To prevent any potential personal injury, unplug the RBM™Ribbon
Blender from the electrical outlet.
Instructions
Note: Wear latex/rubber gloves (and appropriate food grade attire if applicable) during this
process.
1. Open the machine's cabinets to reveal the Gearbox and bearings.
Maintenance