Chip Geometry
Short, free-flowing chips are generally easier to feed consistently. Long stringy turnings and tangled chips require closer assessment of their feeding behavior and may need pre-treatment.
Metal Briquetting Machine for High-Density Metal Chip Compaction
TITAN metal chip briquetting machines compact loose metal chips, metal turnings, and other fine metal scrap into dense, uniform briquettes. The compacted material takes up less space and maintains a more stable shape, making it easier to store, transport, and remelt. During briquetting, some of the cutting fluid or oil can also be separated from the material, improving scrap handling efficiency and increasing the value of the recovered metal. To suit different metal types, chip geometry, fluid content, and throughput requirements, TITAN can configure the appropriate pressing force, feeding method, and level of automation to match actual operating conditions and production requirements.
Suitable Materials and Briquetting Results
Metal type, chip geometry, and fluid content all affect feeding and briquette formation. TITAN matches the pressing capability, feeding method, and any necessary pre-treatment to the actual material conditions.
Common Materials
TITAN metal briquetters are suitable for a wide range of metal chips, metal turnings, and other fine metal scrap.
Material type is only the first step in machine selection. Chip geometry, fluid content, and the presence of contaminants also affect the feeding method, machine configuration, and final briquetting results.
Feed Conditions That Affect Briquetting
Fluid Content
Metal chips containing cutting fluid or oil can be briquetted, and some of the liquid can be separated during pressing. If the fluid content is high, fluid separation may be required before briquetting.
Contaminants and Foreign Objects
Non-metallic contaminants such as plastics, wood fragments, cloth, sand, and stones, along with larger solid foreign objects such as broken tools, bar ends, and scrap parts, should be separated as far as possible before briquetting.
Real Briquetting Results
Briquetting tests with real materials show the condition of the material before and after pressing. Together with the machine model and measured test data, they provide a direct view of the briquetting results.
Actual briquetting results depend on metal type, chip geometry, fluid content, and machine configuration. Specific results should be confirmed through a briquetting test with the actual material under the project's operating conditions.
Model Selection and System Configuration
TITAN selects the machine model based on metal type, throughput, feed condition, briquette requirements, and site conditions. Storage, conveying, and any necessary pre-treatment equipment can also be integrated to configure a metal chip briquetting system.
Y83L Standard Vertical Models
Seven Y83L models cover different maximum main cylinder forces, briquette diameters, maximum briquette densities, and maximum hourly throughput values, allowing the equipment to be matched to material and production requirements.
| Model | Maximum Main Cylinder Force (kN) | Briquette Diameter (mm) | Installed Power (kW) | Maximum Density (g/cm³) | Maximum Throughput (t/h) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Chips | Steel Chips | Copper Chips | Aluminum Chips | Steel Chips | Copper Chips | ||||
| Y83L-250 | 2500 | 80–120 | 22 | < 2.4 | < 5.5 | < 7.0 | < 0.3 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 |
| Y83L-360 | 3600 | 120–160 | 30 | < 2.4 | < 5.5 | < 7.0 | < 0.5 | < 1.0 | < 1.3 |
| Y83L-500 | 5000 | 160–180 | 73 | < 2.4 | < 5.5 | < 7.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.6 | < 1.8 |
| Y83L-630 | 6300 | 180–250 | 109 | < 2.4 | < 5.5 | < 7.0 | < 2.0 | < 3.0 | < 3.6 |
| Y83L-800 | 8000 | 230–280 | 165 | < 2.4 | < 5.5 | < 7.0 | < 3.0 | < 7.0 | < 7.5 |
| Y83L-1000S | 11600 | 260–330 | 287 | < 2.4 | < 5.5 | < 7.0 | < 5.0 | < 9.0 | < 11.0 |
| Y83L-1250 | 13690 | 260–360 | 395 | < 2.4 | < 5.5 | < 7.0 | < 7.0 | < 13.0 | < 15.5 |
The “<” symbol indicates that the maximum value does not exceed the figure shown. Actual throughput and briquette density depend on metal type, chip geometry, fluid content, feeding stability, and machine configuration. Final model selection should be based on actual material conditions.
How We Select the Right Configuration
Machine selection should not be based on pressing force alone. The right configuration should be determined from actual material characteristics and production requirements.
- 01
Material Characteristics
Confirm the metal type and its compaction characteristics. Different materials have different requirements for pressing force, briquette formation, and machine configuration.
- 02
Throughput
Determine the required throughput from hourly or daily chip generation and the production schedule.
- 03
Feed Condition
Assess chip geometry, fluid content, contaminants, and feeding stability to determine whether the feeding method needs to be adjusted or pre-treatment is required.
- 04
Briquette Requirements
Determine the pressing configuration based on the required briquette size, handling method, and downstream recycling or remelting requirements.
- 05
Site and Automation
Consider installation space, feeding method, labor input, and production-line integration requirements when determining machine layout and supporting equipment.
Greater Pressing Force Does Not Mean a Better FitThe right machine should balance throughput, material characteristics, briquette requirements, site conditions, and automation needs. This avoids oversizing equipment for low material volumes or selecting a machine that cannot meet the required throughput.
Vertical or Horizontal?
Vertical and horizontal metal chip briquetting machines differ in feeding method, machine layout, suitability for different chip geometries, and automation integration. The appropriate configuration should be selected according to actual operating conditions.
Y83L Standard Series
Vertical Metal Chip Briquetting Machine
- Material is fed from the top, and the main pressing mechanism moves vertically downward to perform compression.
- Compact design with a relatively small installation footprint.
- The Y83L series includes seven standard models.
- Better suited to medium-throughput applications and installations where space is limited.
Application-Specific Configuration
Horizontal Metal Chip Briquetting Machine
- Uses horizontal pre-compression and main compression stages for feeding and briquetting.
- Pre-compression helps move loose or easily tangled chips into the main compression chamber.
- Better suited to continuous feeding and higher automation requirements.
- Requires more horizontal installation space.
Long stringy turnings and tangled chips should be evaluated according to their actual feeding behavior. If they cannot be fed directly and consistently, appropriate chip pre-treatment is required.
Configuring the Briquetting System Around Material Flow
Depending on the condition of the incoming metal chips, the metal briquetter can operate as a standalone unit or be integrated with storage, feeding, pre-treatment, and liquid collection equipment to form a continuous metal chip processing line.
- 01
Pre-Treatment as Required
Based on Feed Condition
- Tramp Metal Separation
- Chip Crushing
- Fluid Separation
- 02
Storage and Feeding
Manual or Automatic Feeding
- Screw-Feed Hopper
- Slat Belt Conveyor
- Weighing System
- 03
Briquetting
Core Compression Stage
- Metal Briquetting Machine
- 04
Briquette Ejection and Liquid Collection
For Storage, Transport, or Downstream Recycling
- High-Density Metal Briquettes
- Cutting Fluid or Oil Collection
Metal Chip Briquetting Process and Core Engineering Design
Metal chip briquetting is more than a single pressing action. Stable briquette formation depends on coordinated feeding, compression and forming, solid-liquid separation, controlled decompression, briquette ejection, and reset. The hydraulic system, briquetting die, liquid collection system, and control system together determine the stability of the entire briquetting cycle.
How Metal Chips Are Formed into Briquettes
Feeding and briquette ejection structures differ between machine configurations, but the core briquetting process follows the same forming logic.
- 01
Feeding
Metal chips enter the compression area through the hopper. On horizontal machines, a pre-compression mechanism can first push loose or easily tangled chips into the main compression chamber, providing stable feed conditions for subsequent pressing.
- 02
Main Compression and Forming
The main hydraulic cylinder drives the main ram to apply continuous pressure within the die cavity. As the voids between the chips are progressively reduced, the material undergoes plastic deformation until a dense, uniform briquette is formed.
- 03
Solid-Liquid Separation and Pressure Holding
For metal chips containing cutting fluid or oil, a portion of the liquid separated during pressing is directed to the liquid collection system. Once the preset pressure is reached, the system holds pressure to complete stable briquette formation.
- 04
Controlled Decompression
After high-pressure compression, pressure in the high-pressure chamber is gradually reduced before the main hydraulic cylinder reverses direction or the briquette is ejected. This helps reduce hydraulic shock, vibration, and noise caused by sudden decompression.
- 05
Briquette Ejection and Reset
After the formed briquette is ejected, the actuators return to their initial positions. The control system completes the reset sequence and begins the next operating cycle.
Vertical and horizontal machines differ in their feeding, pre-compression, and briquette ejection structures, but both use high-pressure cold pressing to compact loose metal chips into dense briquettes.
Key Engineering Design
Surge-Free Decompression Design
All TITAN Y83L models are equipped as standard with a surge-free decompression design. After high-pressure compression, the system gradually reduces pressure in the high-pressure chamber through controlled decompression before the main hydraulic cylinder reverses direction or the next action begins. This reduces hydraulic shock, vibration, and noise caused by sudden decompression and provides a smoother transition between pressing and the following operation.
This design specifically manages the decompression process at the end of a high-pressure cycle and is not the same as the pressure-limiting protection provided by safety or pressure relief valves.
Three Core Engineering Elements for a Stable Briquetting Cycle
Beyond decompression design, stable briquetting also depends on coordination among hydraulic compression, liquid handling, and automatic cycle control.
Controlled Hydraulic Compression
The hydraulic system provides the pressure required for briquetting, while the main hydraulic cylinder drives the main ram to densify and form the material inside the die cavity. Actual pressing pressure and cycle settings are determined according to metal type, feed condition, and briquette requirements.
Compression and Liquid Handling
For metal chips containing liquid, a portion of the cutting fluid or oil separated during pressing is directed through the drainage structure to the liquid collection system, allowing compression and liquid collection to take place within the same processing cycle.
PLC Automatic Cycle Control
The PLC control system coordinates compression, pressure holding, decompression, briquette ejection, and reset in the programmed sequence. It also processes machine interlocks and sensor signals so that each actuator completes the automatic cycle according to the defined control logic.
Real-World Metal Chip Briquetting Projects
TITAN metal briquetters are used in real projects across different countries, materials, and production conditions. From oil-contaminated cast iron chips and aluminum chips to multiple types of machining scrap, TITAN matches the machine and auxiliary configuration to the material characteristics and site requirements, with actual operating results used to validate the processing solution.
Russia · Metalworking
Briquetting Oil-Contaminated Grey Cast Iron and Ductile Iron Chips
The customer’s machining workshop continuously generates grey cast iron chips and ductile iron chips contaminated with oil. The loose, oily chips contaminated the work area and, when delivered directly to the steel mill, could not meet its requirements for furnace charging.
- Challenge
- Process high-hardness cast iron chips while reducing the residual oil content in the briquettes so that the recovered material could meet the steel mill’s requirements for subsequent melting.
- TITAN Configuration
- Y83L-630 metal briquetting machine + fluid recovery tank. Higher pressing force was selected to suit the material characteristics of the grey cast iron and ductile iron chips, while oil was separated and collected during briquetting.
<2%Residual oil content after briquetting
PassedSteel mill furnace-charging inspection
More Real-World Briquetting Projects
Uzbekistan · Precision Casting
Briquetting 80 t/month of Aluminum Chips with Cutting Oil Recovery
The customer operates a precision casting plant processing approximately 80 tonnes of aluminum chips per month. Cutting oil carried by the chips contaminated the work area and also caused continuous oil loss.
ConfigurationY83L-360 vertical metal chip briquetting machine + oil collection unit. Cutting oil is separated and collected during aluminum-chip briquetting to reduce workplace contamination and oil loss.
4–5 t/monthCutting oil recovered
≈ US$15,000–22,000/yearSavings on cutting oil purchases
China · Machining
Foshan Iron Chips Briquetting and Cutting Fluid Recovery Project
The customer is a machining company in Foshan, Guangdong, generating more than 50 tonnes of iron chips each month. Before the project, the chips were collected continuously in the workshop and stored loose until the storage area was nearly full, at which point they were shipped out in bulk.
ConfigurationTITAN therefore configured a Y83L-630 Vertical Metal Chip Briquetting Machine together with a cutting fluid recovery tank. The machine presses the loose iron chips into compact briquettes under high pressure, while cutting fluid separated during pressing is collected in the recovery tank.
50+ t/monthProject Scale
CNY 80–120/tTransport Cost Savings
<50%Storage Space Required
The results above are based on records from specific customer projects. Actual briquetting performance and economic returns may vary depending on material, feed condition, machine configuration, operating conditions, and local cost levels.
Customer Feedback
Feedback from a customer using this TITAN machine in a real scrap processing project.
TITAN understood the challenges of recycling our aluminum chips and provided a reliable solution that improved storage efficiency, reduced transportation costs, and helped us recover more value from scrap.
Alim ShadmanovOperations Manager
Support from Installation and Start-Up through Long-Term Operation
TITAN’s service goes beyond equipment delivery. Depending on project requirements, we can provide equipment installation and commissioning, operator training, and, after start-up, technical support through remote diagnostics, field service, and spare parts supply to help keep the equipment running.
- 01Equipment Installation
Positioning and System Connections
Complete machine positioning, piping connections, and electrical connections according to the equipment and project configuration, preparing the machine for commissioning.
- Machine positioning
- Piping connections
- Electrical connections
- 02Commissioning
Integrated Commissioning and Operating Verification
Commission the hydraulic, electrical, and control systems together, check the machine sequence and operating status, and verify that each actuator completes the briquetting cycle according to the programmed logic.
- Hydraulic system checks
- PLC function check
- Briquetting cycle test
- 03Operator Training
Operation and Basic Maintenance Training
Training is based on actual machine operation and covers starting and stopping the machine, parameter setting, fault response, safe operation, and basic routine maintenance, helping site personnel master the basic operating and handling procedures.
- Machine start/stop and parameter setting
- Fault response
- Basic routine maintenance
- 04Long-Term Support
Remote Diagnostics, Field Service, and Spare Parts Supply
After start-up, TITAN can assist with remote diagnostics based on fault symptoms, alarm information, and operating status. If further action is required, field service and the corresponding spare parts support can be provided.
- Remote diagnostics
- Field service
- OEM spare parts supply
12 MonthsComplete Machine WarrantyCovers the entire machine; wear parts and other items are subject to the warranty terms.
Remote DiagnosticsTechnical SupportAssistance with troubleshooting hydraulic, electrical, and control system faults.
OEM Spare PartsLong-Term Spare Parts SupportSupport for hydraulic, electrical, sealing, and related spare parts.
Specific installation, field service, and warranty coverage are determined by the project configuration, delivery region, and contractual terms.
Metal Briquetting Machine FAQs
Can long stringy turnings or severely tangled chips be briquetted directly?
Not always. Long stringy turnings, continuous curled turnings, or severely tangled chips can bridge or tangle during storage, conveying, and feeding. The actual material condition should be evaluated to determine whether chip crushing or other pre-treatment is required. The pre-compression structure of horizontal machines can improve feeding for these materials, but it should not be assumed that all long stringy turnings can be briquetted directly without pre-treatment.
Can metal chips containing cutting fluid or oil be briquetted?
Yes. During pressing, high pressure separates part of the cutting fluid or oil from the metal chips, and the separated liquid is collected through the liquid collection system. For materials with high fluid content, the actual condition should be assessed to determine whether fluid separation is required before briquetting to help ensure stable feeding and briquette formation.
Does metal chip briquetting require a binder?
For granular chips, short chips, or finer metal chips suitable for cold forming, dense briquettes can generally be produced by high-pressure cold pressing without adding a binder or other additives. Actual briquette formation still depends on metal type, chip geometry, and feed conditions.
Should I choose a vertical or horizontal metal chip briquetting machine?
Vertical machines have a compact design and relatively small footprint, making them better suited to short chips, medium-throughput applications, and installations where space is limited. Horizontal machines use a pre-compression structure and are better suited to continuous feeding, higher throughput, and higher automation requirements, with an advantage when feeding longer or easily tangled chips. Final selection should still be based on chip geometry, throughput, available site space, and automation requirements.
Can compressed metal briquettes be charged directly into the furnace?
If the metal type, contaminants, and residual fluid content meet the acceptance requirements of the downstream melting process or steel mill, the briquettes can be used as furnace charge material. Whether they can be charged directly into the furnace should be determined according to the actual material and downstream process standards. For example, in a project in Russia involving gray cast iron chips and ductile iron chips, the residual oil content of the briquettes was reduced to below 2%, and the material passed the customer’s steel mill furnace-charging inspection. This is a project-specific result and does not mean that every material will automatically meet the same standard after briquetting.
How do you determine the right model? Is a briquetting test with the actual material necessary?
Model selection should consider metal type, chip geometry, fluid content, contaminants, throughput, installation space, and briquette requirements rather than comparing machine “tonnage” alone. When conditions allow, we recommend running a briquetting test with the customer’s actual material to observe whether feeding is smooth and briquette formation is stable before finalizing the machine and auxiliary configuration.
Information to Prepare for Machine Selection
The closer the material information is to actual operating conditions, the more accurately we can determine the machine model, feeding method, and necessary auxiliary configuration.
Metal Type
What metal are your chips made of? For example, aluminum, steel, iron, cast iron, copper, stainless steel, titanium, or magnesium. If you have multiple types of chips, please list the main materials separately.
Chip Geometry
Are the chips short, particles, powder, or long stringy turnings? Chip length, degree of curl, particle size, and severity of tangling can all affect storage, conveying, and feeding methods. Some materials may require pre-treatment.
Fluid Content and Contaminants
Do the chips contain cutting fluid, oil, or other contaminants? We need an approximate indication of fluid content and whether the material contains plastic, wood debris, sand or stones, broken tools, bar ends, or other large foreign objects, to determine whether fluid separation, foreign-object removal, or other pre-treatment is required.
Throughput and Briquette Requirements
How much metal chip material needs to be processed per hour or per day? Please provide the amount of scrap chips generated under normal production conditions. If you have specific requirements for briquette size, density, or downstream melting use, include them so the appropriate machine model and pressing configuration can be matched.
Site and Feeding Method
How much space is available on site? How do you plan to feed the material? Please provide the approximate installation space and indicate whether feeding will be manual, via an elevating conveyor, or integrated with your existing chip-handling process. This helps determine whether a vertical or horizontal configuration is more suitable, along with the corresponding storage and conveying setup.