One station and a broad jar range for standard preparation and research.
12–500 mL nominal jars · Up to 220 mL useful quantity
PLANETARY BALL MILL SYSTEMS
High-energy motion.
New material possibilities.
Grind, mix and homogenize with counter-rotating jars and high-energy impact and friction. Compare PM 100, PM 200, PM 300 and PM 400 for analytical preparation, ultrafine wet grinding and advanced materials research.
Not sure which option fits your work?Use the practical selection helper ↗
A PRACTICAL SELECTION HELPER
Find a practical starting point.
Compare jar capacity, simultaneous positions and research priorities. These are full-size jar positions; stacking and vial adapters are separate configurations.
All options in this helper (4)
Two positions for comparable small preparations.
12–125 mL nominal jars · 2 × 50 mL useful quantity
Two larger positions and a higher-energy range for demanding methods.
50–800 rpm sun-wheel range · 2 × 220 mL useful quantity
Parallel capacity with standard and specialized MA configurations.
4 / 2 stations, by configuration · 12–500 mL nominal jars
CHOOSE THE WORKFLOW
Four models.
A clear starting point.
Begin with sample quantity, the number of preparations and the required energy input. All four systems support dry and wet methods; their capacity, speed and jar ranges differ.
STANDARD APPLICATIONS
PM 100
Compact single-station high-energy mill.
- Feed size*
- < 10 mm
- Sun-wheel speed
- 100–650 rpm
- Grinding stations
- 1
- Nominal jar volume
- 12–500 ml
- Useful sample quantity*
- 1 × 220 ml
PARALLEL SAMPLE PROCESSING
PM 200
Two grinding stations for efficient comparative testing.
- Feed size*
- < 4 mm
- Sun-wheel speed
- 100–650 rpm
- Grinding stations
- 2
- Nominal jar volume
- 12–125 ml
- Useful sample quantity*
- 2 × 50 ml
POWERFUL, ERGONOMIC GRINDING
PM 300
High-energy performance for demanding laboratory tasks.
- Feed size*
- < 10 mm
- Sun-wheel speed
- 50–800 rpm
- Grinding stations
- 2
- Nominal jar volume
- 12–500 ml
- Useful sample quantity*
- 2 × 220 ml
LARGER SAMPLE VOLUMES
PM 400
Highest sample capacity and flexibility in this family.
- Feed size*
- < 10 mm
- Sun-wheel speed
- 30–400 rpm
- Grinding stations
- 4 / 2, by configuration
- Nominal jar volume
- 12–500 ml
- Useful sample quantity*
- Up to 4 × 220 ml
Standard published fineness: below 1 µm, with suitable wet colloidal methods below 0.1 µm. Feed limits, useful sample quantity and achievable fineness depend on the material, jar, ball charge and operating conditions. Nominal jar volume is not the sample filling volume. Sub-100 nm results require a suitable wet-grinding method; maximum batch size and finest result are not simultaneous guarantees.
SIDE BY SIDE
Which planetary mill
fits the task?
Compare each model’s main application, feed limit and station count, then review the detailed specifications for your method.
Swipe or scroll across the table to compare all four models.
| What matters | PM 100 | PM 200 | PM 300 | PM 400 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best starting point | Standard applications | Parallel sample processing | Powerful, ergonomic grinding | Larger sample volumes |
| Maximum feed size* | < 10 mm | < 4 mm | < 10 mm | < 10 mm |
| Standard fineness* | < 1 µm | < 1 µm | < 1 µm | < 1 µm |
| Wet colloidal fineness* | < 0.1 µm | < 0.1 µm | < 0.1 µm | < 0.1 µm |
| Grinding stations | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 / 2, by configuration |
| Sun-wheel speed | 100–650 rpm | 100–650 rpm | 50–800 rpm | 30–400 rpm |
| Nominal jar volume | 12–500 ml | 12–125 ml | 12–500 ml | 12–500 ml |
| Useful sample quantity* | 1 × 220 ml | 2 × 50 ml | 2 × 220 ml | Up to 4 × 220 ml |
| Speed ratio | 1 : −2 | 1 : −2 | 1 : −2 | 1 : −2; MA versions −2.5 / −3 |
| Method storage | 10 SOPs | 10 SOPs | 12 SOPs + 4 cycle programs | 10 SOPs |
| Key difference | Compact single-station high-energy mill | Two grinding stations for efficient comparative testing | High-energy performance for demanding laboratory tasks | Highest sample capacity and flexibility in this family |
*Feed limits, useful sample quantity and achievable fineness depend on the material, jar, ball charge and operating conditions. Nominal jar volume is not the sample filling volume. Sub-100 nm results require a suitable wet-grinding method; maximum batch size and finest result are not simultaneous guarantees. PM 400 station count depends on the selected version. Confirm the configuration and sample-loading arrangement. Scroll the table horizontally on smaller screens.
HOW PLANETARY BALL MILLS WORK
One orbit.
Counter-rotating jars.
Grinding jars sit eccentrically on a rotating support disc, or sun wheel. Each jar turns around its own axis in the opposite direction. The combined motion accelerates the balls and creates repeated ball-to-ball and ball-to-wall interactions.
Impact and friction reduce particles, mix components and can supply mechanical energy for solid-state reactions. The balance changes with speed, ball size, loading, jar geometry and whether the method is dry or wet.
Feed limits, useful sample quantity and achievable fineness depend on the material, jar, ball charge and operating conditions. Nominal jar volume is not the sample filling volume. Sub-100 nm results require a suitable wet-grinding method; maximum batch size and finest result are not simultaneous guarantees.
DEFINE THE RESULT
What should change
in your material?
Reduce size & increase surface area
Break down particles or agglomerates to prepare a representative analytical sample or investigate a more reactive surface.
Mix & disperse
Blend components, homogenize a sample or develop a wet dispersion. Select tools and liquids around chemistry, viscosity and the intended analysis.
Modify material properties
Use mechanical alloying or mechanochemical activation to investigate changes in composition, structure or reactivity. Confirm the resulting material analytically.
MATERIALS & APPLICATIONS
A broad family.
A method for each sample.
Soft, hard, brittle, fibrous and composite materials can be evaluated with the appropriate jar, balls and preparation route.
- Battery materials
- Nanoparticle production
- Ceramics processing
- Mechanical alloying
- Pharmaceutical research
- Minerals & geology
- Mechanochemical synthesis
- Pigments & coatings
- Environmental sample preparation
- Polymers & composites
Defined operating conditions
Programmable speed, intervals and direction reversal help document repeatable preparation methods.
Sealed sample processing
Compatible jars and seals help retain the sample and limit dust release during milling. Tool materials and cleaning control carryover and wear contribution.
Flexible sample formats
Select single or parallel stations, small research vials, stacked compatible jars or larger sample quantities around the workload.
SOLID-STATE & PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH
Mechanochemistry and
co-crystal screening.
Mechanical energy can support solid-state synthesis, mechanical alloying, mechanocatalysis and co-crystal screening alongside conventional sample preparation.
Small-scale experiments. Parallel screening.
Vial adapters support research with limited amounts of material. A compatible adapter has an outer ring with 16 positions and an inner ring with eight positions for different energy conditions. A four-station PM 400 can use the outer-ring arrangement for up to 64 screening samples.
Compare PM 300 for its 800 rpm range and approximately 64 g acceleration rating, or discuss a PM 400 MA version when an increased speed ratio is required. Method development must account for heat, loading and the desired reaction.
JARS, BALLS & PROCESS OPTIONS
Build the method
around the grinding tools.
The jar, ball charge and closure determine what the sample experiences. Confirm each accessory against the model, jar size and application.
EasyFit grinding jars
The family includes 12, 25, 50, 80, 125, 250 and 500 ml nominal jar sizes; PM 200 accepts sizes only up to 125 ml. Advanced Anti-Twist geometry on applicable 50–500 ml jars helps resist twisting and simplifies positioning.
Tool materials
Options include hardened stainless steel, tungsten carbide, agate, sintered aluminum oxide and zirconium oxide. Additional steel or silicon-nitride formats depend on model and availability. Select for sample hardness, chemistry and acceptable wear contribution.
Lids, seals & wet-grinding closures
O-ring seals support pressure-tight, dust-resistant jar closure. Protective jackets are used on selected brittle-material jars. Compatible special closure devices are recommended for wet or colloidal grinding.
Aeration lids
Compatible aeration lids allow a specified gas atmosphere inside the jar, such as nitrogen or argon. Interchangeable material inlays can match the contact surface to suitable jar materials.
GrindControl
The optional measurement system records temperature and pressure inside a compatible jar. Use these data to study warming, gas evolution and reaction behavior. Monitoring does not actively cool the sample.
Vial adapters for research
A compatible adapter offers an outer ring with 16 positions and an inner ring with eight positions for different energy conditions. Disposable 1.5 ml GC vials support small-sample screening; compatible 20 ml formats are also listed in selected models’ technical data.
Jar volume, useful sample and stacking are different.
PM 100, PM 300 and PM 400 accept jars up to 500 ml; PM 200 accepts jars up to 125 ml. Stacking requires the specified jar sizes and adapters, with sample quantity and balancing reviewed for the complete arrangement.
BUILD A REPEATABLE METHOD
Speed is one part
of the process.
Match the sample and vessel
Choose nominal jar size around useful sample quantity, feed size and available station configurations.
Choose media and atmosphere
Match balls, jar contact material and any liquid or gas atmosphere to the sample and analysis.
Manage energy and temperature
Set speed, duration, pauses and direction reversal. Consider pressure-and-temperature monitoring for demanding methods.
Measure the output
Review the size distribution, recovery, chemistry and wear contribution, then document the method before comparing or scaling.
TEST BEFORE YOU SELECT
Use your material
to make the decision.
Free feasibility testing
Evaluate the appropriate mill and method using a representative sample. Discuss the measurements that would make the trial useful.
Explore the serviceRental options
Discuss in-house testing and the required instrument, jar, ball and accessory configuration. Confirm availability for your project.
Explore the serviceContract processing
Bridge a capacity requirement or explore a process while you establish demand and define equipment needs.
Explore the serviceYOUR MATERIAL. YOUR NEXT STEP.
Put the process
to the material test.
Tell us what you’re processing and what needs to change. We’ll help define the equipment, accessories and a useful trial.
- Material and starting particle size
- Target fineness and required quantity
- Temperature, purity and cleaning requirements