Ball mills are necessary equipment when facing large scale sample preparation with advantage of efficiency, low sample loss and no cross contamination. Basically, lab tissue mills uses high speed oscillation impact and friction to destroy sample structure. If we categorize mills based on oscillation format, tissue mills are divided into 3 types. Each category has accordingly features.

Type 1, vertical oscillation

This type is earliest used in seed exams, for seed exams requires large pool of samples-100 samples for each species. Vertical tissue mill’s advantage is very high throughput, up to 4x96 sample quantity. No doubt it is irresistible for such labs; however, due to the vertical structure of oscillation movement, it causes significant impact to supporting surface, which makes it inappropriate to put on lab tables, for the sake of safety of other equipments. Moreover, vertical oscillation causes stronger burden to oscillation arm because of gravity, so heavier samples like rocks and metals are impossible to load on such mills.  At last, when grinding frozen samples, condensate water drops directly on machine main frame, will produce electricity risk.

Type 2, horizontal oscillation

Horizontal oscillation subtly uses two horizontal opposite arm to eliminate oscillation impact to machine mainframe and supporting surface. At the same time, greatly reduce the size and weight of the whole machine. Such mill is very appropriate the place on lab table, since it doesn’t cause vertical shock, perfect for preserve of other equipment on the same table. Besides, horizontal oscillation is not much influenced by sample weight, so heavier sample jars (such as steel 25ml, 50ml jars) can be operated on the machine and will not cause service life reduction.

Horizontal mills are perfect for cryogenic grind, from convenience and safety. Convenience means the simple structure and operation of sample loading. Users only need to load the adapter and fasten the handle, no extra clamps, which save much time to ensure pre-freeze effectiveness. Safety is reflected in condensate water proof. Condensate water is generated at the front part of main frame, away from the inside motor. Thus, such mills are perfect for biology labs.

Type 3, 3D rotation oscillation

This type of oscillation combines vertical shake and horizontal vortex, which achieves very high speed. Due to the unique shape of adapter, its throughput is limited to medium or low, plus such strong impact requires unique tubes with hard material, or common 2.0ml tube will break during homogenizing. 3D oscillation ball mill is often used with extraction kit reagent, which makes cryogenic less important than other two types, so 3D mill is not supportive to cryogenic grind. The adapters can’t be drown into liquid nitrogen, the coldest condition is to pump cold air at 0℃ into sample chamber, which is not low enough for plant grind. But 3D mills are more than acceptable to deal with less fibred animal fresh organs. So this kind of mills is often seen in diagnostic labs and hospitals.

Summed from above, vertical mills are in big size, with high throughput; horizontal mills are convenient to operate, widely adapted; 3D mills are the fastest, ideal for wet grind. Each type has its handy fields.

From the standpoint of cost, most tissue mills cost 12-15 thousand dollars according to structure and function. While in Chinese market, domestic manufacturer released products at much lower price since 5 years ago.DHS is proudly the first horizontal mill manufacturer, and has a successful promoting the market for 3years. We sincerely hope for your cooperation!