Industry-Verified Manufacturing Data (2026)

Agitator

Based on aggregated insights from multiple verified factory profiles within the CNFX directory, the standard Agitator used in the Food Manufacturing sector typically supports operational capacities ranging from standard industrial configurations to heavy-duty production requirements.

Technical Definition & Core Assembly

A canonical Agitator is characterized by the integration of Agitator Shaft and Mixing Blades/Paddles. In industrial production environments, manufacturers listed on CNFX commonly emphasize Stainless Steel construction to support stable, high-cycle operation across diverse manufacturing scenarios.

A mechanical component within an ingredient hopper that mixes, blends, or stirs materials to prevent settling, ensure homogeneity, and facilitate material flow.

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Product Specifications

Technical details and manufacturing context for Agitator

Definition
The agitator is a critical part of an ingredient hopper designed to maintain material consistency and prevent issues like bridging, rat-holing, or segregation. It operates within the hopper's storage chamber, continuously or intermittently mixing ingredients to ensure uniform distribution of particles, prevent compaction, and promote smooth discharge through the hopper outlet. This component is essential for maintaining product quality and process efficiency in material handling systems.
Working Principle
The agitator typically consists of rotating blades, paddles, or screws driven by an external motor. As it rotates within the hopper, it creates shear forces and movement that break up clumps, mix different materials, and prevent material from adhering to hopper walls. The design ensures thorough blending while minimizing dead zones where material could accumulate.
Common Materials
Stainless Steel
Technical Parameters
  • Diameter or dimensions of the agitator assembly (mm) Per Request
Components / BOM
  • Agitator Shaft
    Central rotating component that transmits torque from the motor to the mixing elements
    Material: Stainless Steel
  • Mixing Blades/Paddles
    Elements attached to the shaft that physically contact and move the material
    Material: Stainless Steel
  • Drive Coupling
    Connects the agitator shaft to the motor drive system
    Material: Steel Alloy
  • Bearing Assembly
    Supports the rotating shaft and reduces friction during operation
    Material: Stainless Steel with Polymer Seals
Engineering Reasoning
0.5-3.0 m/s tip speed, 0.1-0.8 kW power input, 10-60 RPM rotational speed
Bearing temperature exceeding 80°C, shaft deflection >0.5 mm/m, torque >150% rated value
Design Rationale: Bearing seizure due to lubricant thermal breakdown at 80°C, shaft bending fatigue from excessive radial loads exceeding yield strength
Risk Mitigation (FMEA)
Trigger Material bridging causing torque spikes exceeding 200% rated value
Mode: Shear pin failure at 450 MPa shear stress
Strategy: Torque-limiting clutch with 125% overload protection and anti-bridging hopper geometry
Trigger Corrosive ingredient pH <4.0 attacking 316L stainless steel
Mode: Pitting corrosion at >0.1 mm/year penetration rate
Strategy: Hastelloy C-276 coating with 0.01 mm/year corrosion rate at pH 2.0

Industry Taxonomies & Aliases

Commonly used trade names and technical identifiers for Agitator.

stainless steel food hopper agitator ingredient mixing agitator for food manufacturing hopper agitator with mixing blades food-grade agitator bearing assembly agitator shaft for material flow

Applied To / Applications

This component is essential for the following industrial systems and equipment:

Ingredient Hopper
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Ingredient Storage Tank
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Slurry Supply System
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Liquid Reservoir
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Hopper
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Resin Storage Tank
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Material Reservoir
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Material Reservoir/Supply Line
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Electrolyte Reservoir
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Solution Storage Tank
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Industrial Ecosystem & Supply Chain DNA

Complementary Systems
Downstream Applications
Specialized Tooling

Application Fit & Sizing Matrix

Operational Limits
pressure: Atmospheric to 10 bar
flow rate: 0-100 m³/h
temperature: -20°C to 150°C
slurry concentration: Up to 70% solids by weight
Media Compatibility
✓ Food-grade slurries ✓ Chemical solutions ✓ Pharmaceutical suspensions
Unsuitable: Highly abrasive media with >5% silica content
Sizing Data Required
  • Vessel volume (m³)
  • Material viscosity (cP)
  • Required mixing intensity (RPM)

Reliability & Engineering Risk Analysis

Failure Mode & Root Cause
Bearing failure
Cause: Inadequate lubrication, contamination ingress, misalignment, or excessive loading leading to overheating, wear, and eventual seizure or spalling.
Impeller wear/corrosion
Cause: Abrasive or corrosive process media causing material loss, thinning, or pitting, often accelerated by cavitation due to improper operating conditions or design mismatch.
Maintenance Indicators
  • Unusual vibration or noise (e.g., grinding, knocking) indicating mechanical looseness, bearing issues, or impeller imbalance.
  • Excessive heat on motor or gearbox housing, suggesting overloading, lubrication failure, or misalignment.
Engineering Tips
  • Implement condition-based monitoring (vibration analysis, thermography) to detect early degradation and schedule proactive maintenance.
  • Ensure proper alignment during installation/repair and use compatible, clean lubricants with regular replenishment schedules to prevent bearing and seal failures.

Compliance & Manufacturing Standards

Reference Standards
ISO 2858:2022 - End-suction centrifugal pumps (Designation, nominal duty point and dimensions) ANSI/ASME B73.1-2021 - Specification for Horizontal End Suction Centrifugal Pumps for Chemical Process DIN 24256:2017 - Agitators; definitions, main dimensions, nominal powers
Manufacturing Precision
  • Shaft runout: ≤0.05mm at coupling end
  • Impeller balance: G6.3 grade per ISO 1940-1
Quality Inspection
  • Hydrostatic pressure test (1.5x design pressure for 30 minutes)
  • Vibration analysis (ISO 10816-3 compliance at rated speed)

Factories Producing Agitator

Verified manufacturers with capability to produce this product in China

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✓ 94% Supplier Capability Match Found

S Sourcing Manager from United Arab Emirates Feb 09, 2026
★★★★★
"Standard OEM quality for Food Manufacturing applications. The Agitator arrived with full certification."
Technical Specifications Verified
P Procurement Specialist from Australia Feb 06, 2026
★★★★☆
"Great transparency on the Agitator components. Essential for our Food Manufacturing supply chain. (Delivery took slightly longer than expected, but technical support was excellent.)"
Technical Specifications Verified
T Technical Director from Singapore Feb 03, 2026
★★★★★
"The Agitator we sourced perfectly fits our Food Manufacturing production line requirements."
Technical Specifications Verified
Verification Protocol

“Feedback is collected from verified sourcing managers during RFQ (Request for Quote) and factory evaluation processes on CNFX. These reports represent historical performance data and technical audit summaries from our B2B manufacturing network.”

13 sourcing managers are analyzing this specification now. Last inquiry for Agitator from Poland (17m ago).

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of using a stainless steel agitator in food manufacturing?

Stainless steel agitators offer corrosion resistance, easy cleaning for hygiene compliance, durability for continuous operation, and are food-safe, preventing contamination in ingredient processing.

How does an agitator prevent material settling in a hopper?

The agitator's rotating mixing blades or paddles continuously stir the ingredients, disrupting static layers, ensuring even distribution, and maintaining consistent material flow to prevent clogging or separation.

What maintenance is required for an agitator's bearing assembly?

Regular lubrication, inspection for wear or contamination, and ensuring proper alignment of the drive coupling are essential to maintain efficiency, reduce downtime, and extend the agitator's lifespan in food production.

Can I contact factories directly on CNFX?

CNFX is an open directory, not a transaction platform. Each factory profile provides direct contact information and production details to help you initiate direct inquiries with Chinese suppliers.

Data Specifications verified by CNFX Industrial Index (v2.6.03) for Food Manufacturing sector.

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