What to do if the pellet size is uneven during production on a poultry feed pellet production line?

 

 

In chicken feed production lines, if the produced pellets exhibit a "mixed size" issue-containing both coarse pellets exceeding the standard diameter by 2mm and a large amount of broken pieces (particle size compliance rate below 80%)-it not only affects the commercial appearance of the feed but also leads to uneven feeding among farmed animals (e.g., chicks unable to swallow coarse pellets, piglets selectively eating broken pieces), and may even clog feeding equipment (such as the feed pipes of automatic feeders). Many manufacturers attempt to adjust parameters with limited success; the problem may actually lie in the condition of the core components of the equipment.

 

 

1.Uneven die wear or blockage in the die holes

 Causes: After prolonged use, some die holes may enlarge due to wear from raw materials (such as high-hardness mineral materials), exceeding the standard by more than 0.5mm. Other holes may become blocked due to material adhesion (such as high-sugar or high-oil materials). Unblocked, large-diameter die holes produce coarse particles, while the area around blocked die holes produces debris due to insufficient material extrusion, resulting in significant particle size variations.

 

 Solutions: Disassemble the die and use a plug gauge to check the die hole diameter. Replace any die with an enlarged diameter (e.g., a standard 4mm die hole enlarged to 4.5mm). For blocked die holes, use a special cleaning needle (0.2mm smaller in diameter than the die hole) to unclog them one by one. Before unclogging, soak the die in 60-70℃ warm water for 30 minutes to soften any residual material. When installing a new die, ensure the coaxiality error between the die and the pressure roller is ≤0.1mm to avoid uneven stress on local die holes.

 

 

2.Improper adjustment of the pressure roller gap or surface wear

 Causes: If the gap between the pressure roller and the ring die is too large (more than 0.5mm), the raw material cannot be fully extruded and easily leaks out, forming debris; if the gap is too small (less than 0.1mm), the pressure roller and the ring die rub directly, causing local die holes to be blocked by metal debris, resulting in inconsistent particle size; if the pressure roller surface is worn (texture depth reduced by more than 0.3mm), the gripping force on the raw material decreases, the raw material is unevenly distributed within the ring die, and the extruded particles have large differences in size.

 

 Solutions: Measure the gap between the pressure roller and the ring die with a feeler gauge and adjust it to 0.2-0.3mm (slightly different for different raw materials; for high-fiber raw materials, it can be appropriately increased to 0.3-0.4mm); if the pressure roller surface is worn, replace the pressure roller skin (choose wear-resistant rubber material with a Shore hardness of 75-80 degrees); after replacing the pressure roller, manually rotate the pressure roller to ensure that it contacts the ring die evenly and without local jamming.

 

3.Cutter installation deviation or dull blade
 Causes: The distance between the cutter and the ring die end face is too large (more than 2mm), causing the particles to stretch and become longer due to gravity after being extruded from the die hole (more than 1.5 times the standard length); the distance is too small (less than 0.5mm), causing the cutter to easily rub against the ring die, resulting in the blade becoming worn and dull, unable to cut the particles quickly, and some particles are "torn" into fragments; the cutter installation angle is incorrect (not 90° perpendicular to the ring die end face), resulting in particles of varying lengths after cutting, producing "slanted particles".

 

 Solution: Loosen the cutter fixing bolts and adjust the distance between the cutter and the end face of the ring die to 1-1.5mm (set according to the particle length requirements, such as 1.2mm for 4mm particles with a length of 8-12mm); grind the dulled blade with a grinding wheel to ensure the blade is sharp (it should feel smooth to the touch after grinding); adjust the cutter angle to ensure the blade is perpendicular to the end face of the ring die, tighten the fixing bolts, and manually rotate the ring die to check whether the cutter is in uniform contact with the ring die.

 

 

 

MIKIM boasts extensive experience in poultry feed pellet production lines, significantly reducing the incidence of poultry diseases. Its equipment is not only widely used across various industries domestically but also exported to Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America, earning a high reputation internationally. This global presence not only demonstrates the adaptability and competitiveness of its products, but also demonstrates the company's experience in adapting to diverse market standards and logistics conditions, enabling it to provide a stable supply chain for its overseas customers. Whether serving large domestic farms or cross-border feed companies, MIKIM can leverage its global service network to ensure a consistent, high-quality experience.

 

For more information on process flow design, equipment layout, factory construction plans, individual equipment pricing, or turnkey project proposals, please feel free to contact us!!!

 

 

 

1. What is the price of the Automated Feed Pellet Equipment?

The price ranges from approximately $7,000-$25,000

2. Do you provide maintenance services for your customers?
Yes, we offer comprehensive after-sales maintenance services to our customers.

 

 

Contact now