Automated mixing system for cartridges containing materials

Abstract

Current cartridge-style mixers due not have the ability to measure mixing performance nor determine the need for maintenance based on performance. Risks of non-homogeneous mixing and insufficient maintenance can exist with cartridge-style mixers. A mixing system comprises a mixing apparatus, a first switch, a magnetic switch, and a controller. The mixing apparatus is configured to receive a cartridge and to mix a material. The mixing apparatus comprises a linear actuator configured to translate the cartridge or plunger in a vertical direction and a spindle configured to rotate a plunger. The first switch is configured to measure a number of strokes per unit of time of operating the linear actuator. The magnetic switch is configured to measure a speed of the spindle. The controller is configured to receive one or more mixing parameters, actuate the spindle and the linear actuator, and actuate a light to indicate if there was sufficient mixing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.