Which Inductor Is Right for Your Operation?
When you’re building a Mixmate system, one of the first decisions is choosing the right inductor. Praxidyn offers two primary options: the Mixmate Fusion and Mixmate Pro.
Both can serve as the foundation for a automated chemical mixing system. Both can handle liquid and dry products, work with bulk chemical Flow Stacks, and use the Mixmate system to measure, control, and record your mixes.
So which one is right for you?
For most operations, we recommend starting with the Fusion. The Pro becomes especially attractive when you want premium all-stainless construction, need NTEP certification, or simply want some of the additional features that come with the Pro.
Here’s how to think through the decision.
What Do the Fusion and Pro Have in Common?
Before comparing the differences, it’s important to understand how similar the two systems are.
Both the Fusion and Pro can be configured to handle the products used in your operation. Both can work with jugs, dry products, and bulk chemicals. Both can be integrated with Flow Stacks to measure and control bulk products.
The Mixmate software handles the process of measuring and mixing products, including the procedures used for dry products. In other words, you aren’t giving up Mixmate’s core mixing capabilities by choosing the Fusion.
The biggest differences are in the design and construction of the inductors themselves.
Why the Fusion Is the Starting Point for Most Operations
For most customers, the Fusion is the first inductor we recommend.
– Compact and easy to configure
The Fusion has a compact footprint and can be configured with a Flow Stack mounted directly to the inductor. If you need four bulk inputs, this can create a particularly compact package.
That makes the Fusion a great fit for trailer-mounted Mixmate systems, where space is often at a premium.
Rather than building a larger system than you need, the Fusion lets you put the components together in a compact package while still giving you the automation and measurement capabilities you expect from a Mixmate.
– A practical choice for most applications
The Fusion handles the same basic mixing tasks as the Pro. It can process liquid products, handle dry products, rinse containers, and work with bulk chemical Flow Stacks.
For many operations, there simply isn’t a compelling functional reason to move up to the Pro.
That doesn’t make the Fusion a stripped-down version of the Mixmate. It means the Fusion is designed to provide the capabilities most operations actually need in a compact package.
– Great for trailer-mounted systems
If your Mixmate is going on a trailer, the Fusion is usually where we start.
Its compact design makes it easier to work with limited trailer space, and a Flow Stack can be mounted directly to the inductor in configurations where that makes sense.
For a mobile mixing system, keeping the footprint small can make a significant difference in how easily everything fits together.
Why Choose the Mixmate Pro?
The Pro isn’t necessarily about doing things the Fusion can’t do. Instead, it’s about premium construction, specific features, and certain applications where those advantages matter.
– Full stainless-steel construction
One of the biggest reasons customers choose the Pro is its construction.
The Pro uses stainless steel for the frame and cone, creating an inductor designed for long-term durability. Some customers simply want the most robust version available and prefer the idea of an all-stainless system.
The stainless cone also provides a smooth, durable surface that minimizes concerns about product hanging up inside the cone.
We’ve had Fusion systems in the field for years and have not seen a poly cone fail. However, like most plastic components exposed to the elements, the poly cone will eventually be affected by UV exposure.
For customers who want an inductor that they don’t have to think about from a long-term durability standpoint, the Pro’s stainless construction is a significant advantage.
– The lid switch
The Pro also includes a lid switch that can be used to advance the mixing process.
This can be a convenient feature for operators who like the additional control it provides during the mixing process.
It’s not necessarily a reason every customer needs a Pro, but for some operators, it’s a feature they appreciate having.
– NTEP certification
For some applications, this is the most important difference of all.
The Pro’s scale geometry allows the system to carry NTEP certification, making it the appropriate choice for applications where legal-for-trade requirements apply.
If you need NTEP certification, the decision is straightforward: the Pro is the inductor to choose.
This is one situation where the Pro isn’t simply a premium option. It is the appropriate solution for the application.
What About Bulk Chemical Handling?
This is an area where the differences between the Pro and Fusion can sometimes be misunderstood.
The Pro has the ability to batch bulk chemicals through the back of the inductor. However, that feature is not how most modern Mixmate systems handle bulk products.
Instead, bulk chemical handling is typically accomplished using Flow Stacks.
Flow Stacks allow a Mixmate system to measure and control multiple bulk products while keeping the system modular. This means the number of bulk chemicals you need to handle does not automatically determine whether you need a Pro or Fusion.
For example, a customer with several bulk products doesn’t necessarily need a Pro simply because they have more bulk products. The system can be configured with additional Flow Stack capacity around either inductor.
The Pro’s batching capability can still be useful in certain situations, such as when an operation has an additional bulk product and the existing Flow Stack is already full. However, batching through the inductor is generally not as fast as handling the product through a dedicated Flow Stack.
When you’re deciding between a Fusion and Pro, don’t base the decision simply on how many bulk chemicals you have.
Instead, look at how you want those products handled and how the entire Mixmate system will be configured.
What About Dry Products?
Another common misconception is that choosing the Pro gives you an advantage when mixing dry products.
In reality, both inductors handle dry products in essentially the same way.
The dry-product mixing process is controlled by the Mixmate software rather than being a fundamental difference between the two inductors.
So if dry products are a major part of your operation, that alone isn’t a reason to choose the Pro.
Both can give you the automated mixing process you need.
Fusion vs. Pro: How Do You Decide?
For most operations, we would start with the Fusion and then determine whether there is a specific reason to move to the Pro.
– Choose the Fusion if:
- You want a compact Mixmate system.
- Your system will be mounted on a trailer.
- You want to maximize available space.
- You want to integrate a Flow Stack directly with the inductor.
- You don’t require NTEP certification.
- You want the capabilities most Mixmate systems need without adding premium features you may not use.
– Consider the Pro if:
- You want full stainless-steel construction.
- Long-term durability is a major priority.
- You prefer the stainless cone over a poly cone.
- You want the Pro’s lid-switch functionality.
- You need NTEP certification for a legal-for-trade application.
- You’re building a stationary system where space is less of a concern.
- You simply want a premium, all-stainless inductor.
Which One Would We Recommend?
For most customers, the Fusion is the place to start.
It provides the core capabilities needed for an automated Mixmate system while offering a compact design that works particularly well on trailers. When paired with Flow Stacks, it can also be configured to handle the bulk products required by a wide range of operations.
The Pro makes sense when there is a specific reason to choose it.
If you want the premium feel and durability of a full stainless-steel inductor, the Pro is an excellent choice. If you need NTEP certification, the Pro may be the only appropriate option. And if you simply prefer the Pro’s construction and features, there’s certainly value in choosing the premium system.
The important thing is that you don’t need to buy a Pro just because you have a large operation or several bulk chemicals. A well-configured Fusion can provide the same core Mixmate automation and mixing capabilities while taking up less space.
Build the Mixmate Around Your Operation
The inductor is only one part of a Mixmate system.
Your ideal configuration also depends on the number of bulk products you handle, how you want products measured, your pumps and plumbing, where the system will be mounted, and how you want the system controlled and connected to your data.
That’s the advantage of the Mixmate platform: the system can be configured around the way you actually work.
If you’re not sure whether the Fusion or Pro makes sense for your operation, we’d be happy to help you work through the options and build a Mixmate system around your needs.