Rotary drum mill TM 300

samplewet grindingstainless steel

Overview
The TM 300 Drum Mill prepares granules and powders in dry or wet conditions and can be configured as a Ball Mill or a Rod Mill via interchangeable modules. Depending on material and configuration, final fineness below 20 µm is achievable. The unit features a gear motor on a steel frame, separation grids and a removable sample collector. Yoke and quick-release locking enable easy access and fast drum cover removal. Maximum sample volume: 9 l, suitable for upscaling and kilogram-scale tests.

Benefits at a glance

• Processing volumes up to 9 l
• Compatible with dry and wet grinding
• Standard drum sizes: 5 l to 43.4 l
• Variable speed and reproducible results
• Suitable for long-term grinding
• Optional ball and rod modules
• Adapted for mechanochemistry upscaling
• Single-screw lids for reliable sealing

Safe and convenient operation
Easy tilt mechanism for emptying, removable sample collector for retrieval and a noise-protection hood for reduced operating noise. Emergency stop included. Redesigned drums and single-screw covers ensure secure sealing for wet applications.

Parameter setting
Process parameters are set via a large display interface. Key settings include:

• Speed: 1–80 rpm
• Grinding time up to 99:59:59 h:min:s
• Rotation direction control (to reduce caking)
• Programmable intervals and breaks for temperature-sensitive samples
• Delayed start function

Accessories and options
Grinding drums from 5 to 43.4 L. Optional separation grid for ball sizes 10, 20 or 30 mm. Dust extraction connection available. Drums supplied with gaskets for loss-free milling and improved wet-sealing.

Drum filling level and feed size
Recommended particle feed size ~5 mm; max acceptable 15 mm. For breakable or deagglomeration samples, 20–30 mm feed sizes are feasible. Filling level may be increased to 9 l for easy-to-process materials. Using stainless steel 1.4404 drums with matching balls enables wet grinding and can exceed dry volume recommendations; many small balls increase friction in wet grinding.

Grinding drum configuration table
Grinding drum | Mass of grinding balls | Grinding ball size (mm) | Number of rods | Optimum sample volume (l)
5 l | 10 kg | <5 / 10 / 20 / 30 | - | 1–1.5 l
10 l | up to 20 kg | <5 / 10 / 20 / 30 | - | 2–2.5 l
21.4 l | 40 kg | <5 / 10 / 20 / 30 | - | 4–5 l
43.4 l | - | - | 8 rods | 9 l

Five drum positions for convenient handling
The drum can be fixed in five positions (filling, mixing, grinding, emptying, complete emptying) secured by a screw for safe handling and improved process control.

Mechanochemistry & co-crystal synthesis (example)
TM 300 supports mechanochemical kilogram-scale processes. Example: synthesis of rac-ibuprofen:nicotinamide co-crystals — 3.2 kg produced in 90 minutes with 99% yield using liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) and minimal solvent. Tests show low metal abrasion compared to other mills; abrasion data available in technical documentation.

Bond Index testing and modules
Bond Index tests (BWI and RWI) can be performed. Both ball and rod modules available; for closed-circuit simulation at least 15–20 kg sample required.

• Ball Mill Module: BWI range to 100 µm; pre-crushing to <3.35 mm for minerals/drillcore. Example optimum number of balls: 285 to reach ~20.125 kg target mass (allowing wear).
• Rod Mill Module: RWI for sizes 25 mm down to 2.1 mm; pre-crushing to <12.50 mm for minerals/drillcore.

Typical sample materials
Suitable for a wide range of materials: activated carbon, alloys, bentonite, bones, carbon fibers, catalysts, cellulose, cement clinker, ceramics, chemicals, clays, coal, coke, compost, concrete, electronic scrap, fibers, gypsum, glass, hair, hydroxyapatite, kaolin, limestone, metal oxides, minerals, ores, paints, paper, pharmaceuticals, pigments, plants, polymers, quartz, seeds, semi-precious stones, sewage sludge, slag, soil, tissue, tobacco, waste, wood, etc.

Functional principle
Sample (usually pre-crushed) is placed in the drum with grinding media (balls or rods) and subjected to rotation around a horizontal axis. Ball milling achieves fine grinding by impact and friction; rod milling targets coarser size ranges. Drum is mounted on a yoke driven by a motor with overload protection and variable speed control. The interplay of impact and friction between media and sample yields effective comminution.

Technical specifications

• Applications: pulverizing, mixing; Bond Index testing
• Fields: agriculture, biology, chemistry, construction materials, electronics, environment/recycling, geology/metallurgy, glass/ceramics, pharmaceuticals
• Feed material: soft, hard, brittle, fibrous — dry or wet
• Size reduction principle: friction/impact
• Material feed size*: < 20 mm general; as Bond Index Tester: <3.35 mm (ball) / <12.50 mm (rod)
• Final fineness*: < 20 µm general; as Bond Index Tester: <100 µm (ball) / 2,100 µm (rod)
• Batch size*: min. 1 l / max. 9 l; as Bond Index Tester: min. 15 kg (ball) / min. 20 kg (rod)
• Rotation speed: 1–80 min⁻¹; Bond Index: 70 min⁻¹ (ball) / 46 min⁻¹ (rod)
• Grinding stations: 1
• Material of grinding tools: hardened steel, stainless steel
• Drum sizes: 5 l / 10 l / 21.7 l / 43.3 l
• Grinding time: digital setting
• Drive: 3-phase asynchronous motor with frequency converter
• Drive power: 0.75 kW
• Power connection: 1-phase (various voltages)
• Protection code: IP 41
• Power consumption: ~1800 VA
• Dimensions W x H x D (closed): 1500 x 1200 x 700 mm
• Net weight: ~306 kg
• Standards: CE

*depending on feed material and configuration