Salt Lick Block Production Line

BellaEx provides salt and mineral lick block production line solutions built around hydraulic pressing, covering material mixing, feeding, block forming, conveying, and packing.

Whether you are building a new plant or expanding an existing facility, BellaEx can help develop an equipment configuration and supply plan for your project.

A salt lick block production line mixes salt and mineral ingredients, feeds the material into molds, and forms it into blocks through hydraulic pressing. The formed blocks are then transferred for downstream handling and packing.

Salt blocks are solid supplements made primarily from salt. Mineral lick blocks may also contain major minerals and trace minerals, depending on the intended product and formulation.

These products are used for salt and mineral supplementation in cattle, sheep, and other livestock. They can be produced in different weights, shapes, and packaging formats for farm supply, private-label products, and commercial distribution.

BellaEx's hydraulic pressing solution is primarily intended for salt and mineral-based materials that can be formed into blocks by hydraulic pressing.

Particle size, moisture content, flowability, and formulation affect how the material behaves during mixing, feeding, and pressing.

Even blocks of the same target weight may require different filling or pressing conditions when the formulations differ. An existing formulation or product sample provides a useful starting point for evaluating the forming process and equipment configuration.

The market also includes nutritional lick blocks made with ingredients such as molasses and urea. These products may require different mixing, forming, or curing processes and should be evaluated separately from conventional hydraulically pressed salt blocks.

Blocks intended for cattle, sheep, and other livestock may look similar, but their formulations need to be developed for the intended animals.

Mineral and trace-element requirements vary by species. Copper levels, in particular, need careful consideration in products intended for sheep.

Manufacturers planning several livestock product ranges should also consider formula management, production changeovers, and clear identification of the finished products.

Block weight, dimensions, shape, and hole design are the starting points for mold design. For commercially distributed products, branding and packaging can be planned at the same stage.

Salt lick blocks can be made in different weights and shapes for the intended market, including designs with a central hole.

The mold defines the block's outer profile, hole position, and embossed features. Different block sizes may use different molds and cavity arrangements, depending on the product specifications and press configuration.

Where several sizes will be produced on one line, the expected volume of each size and the mold changeover arrangements also need to be considered.

A BellaEx project in Morocco included contracted mold arrangements for three block weights. The details are included in the project reference below.

Logo embossing can be considered as part of custom mold design for private-label products.

The artwork, embossing position, dimensions, and depth are reviewed against the mold design and forming requirements. Fine lines or complex details may need adjustment to produce a suitable impression on the block surface.

The logo, central hole, and overall block shape can be considered together when developing the mold.

Depending on the intended market, blocks may be handled without individual wrapping or supplied in film packaging.

BellaEx can configure film sealing and heat-shrink packing equipment for a project. The packing method is selected to suit block dimensions, weight, and distribution requirements.

Deciding on the packaging format early also helps determine the downstream conveying and packing equipment.

The line follows the material from mixing and mold filling through pressing, demolding, conveying, and packing.

Raw Material Mixing → Feeding & Mold Filling → Hydraulic Pressing → Demolding → Block Conveying → Film Sealing & Heat-Shrink Packing

Salt, mineral powders, and other ingredients are prepared according to the product formulation before entering the mixer. The mixer blends the ingredients before they move to the forming stage.

For plants producing multiple formulations, ingredient handling and changeovers form part of the production plan.

Feeding equipment and screw conveyors transfer the mixed material to the pressing area. The material is then fed into the molds, ready for pressing.

This stage connects the mixer discharge to the press's filling system.

Once the mold is filled, the hydraulic press compacts the material into a block.

The mold defines the outer profile and hole design, while the pressing conditions influence how the material forms and holds together.

After pressing, the formed blocks are released from the mold and transferred toward the packing area.

The demolding mechanism releases the blocks, while the conveying equipment supports and carries them between the press and the next stage.

On lines equipped for shrink-film packing, blocks are wrapped and sealed in film before passing through the heat-shrink stage.

Packing equipment and settings are matched to the block dimensions and film material. Packed blocks then move on to storage or shipment preparation.

Each equipment unit has a specific job. Selecting a line means matching those units to the product and to one another, including any machinery already installed at the plant.

The hydraulic press is the main forming machine, but press tonnage alone does not determine the right setup.

Selection starts with the intended block and material: target weight, dimensions, formulation, and forming requirements. The press and mold arrangement are then considered together, including cavity count and the production plan for each size.

For a multi-size line, the assessment also includes the mold combination and changeover arrangements rather than treating each block size as a separate machine purchase.

For a new line, the mixer discharge, press inlet and outlet, and packing infeed can be planned together.

For an existing plant, the starting points are the positions and connection details of the installed equipment. These determine the available routes for feeding, block transfer, and packing.

The packing section must also accommodate the intended block dimensions and transfer method.

The press, feeding equipment, and packing machines can be fitted with control units according to the project requirements.

The operating method and coordination required between machines define the control scope. For a new line, this is reviewed alongside equipment selection; for an existing plant, the connections between new and installed systems must also be assessed.

Capacity planning starts with the finished products you intend to make. The aim is to match the press, molds, feeding, and packing to the required output, rather than select a press by tonnage alone.

State both the required block count and the output by weight. Blocks per hour helps define finished-unit and packing requirements; tonnes per hour or per day helps establish raw material demand and production scale.

The following information connects your production target to equipment selection:

For a multi-size line, set a target for each size rather than applying one hourly figure to every product. Mold arrangement and pressing conditions need to be considered alongside the time available for production and the capacity of the other stages.

If you are still defining your output target, BellaEx can review your production plans and discuss a preliminary configuration. The final capacity assessment is based on the selected equipment, actual materials, and operating conditions.

For a new line, we can plan equipment areas around the flow of materials through mixing, pressing, packing, and finished-block handling.

For an expansion project, the layout also needs to account for installed equipment, existing material routes, packing space, and the area available for additional machines.

Machine dimensions are only part of the layout. Space is also needed for operation, maintenance, material handling, and equipment installation.

Where the building has multiple levels, platforms, columns, doorways, or restricted access, the engineering team can assess these constraints and take them into account when preparing the layout proposal.

BellaEx can arrange equipment configuration and supply for salt lick block projects, from complete production lines to selected equipment for existing plants.

For a new line, BellaEx can bring material handling, hydraulic forming, molds, block conveying, and packing into one equipment supply package.

The equipment list is based on the intended products, production scale, and plant conditions. Electrical and control equipment is included according to the agreed configuration.

Existing equipment lists, layout drawings, and interface details provide the starting point for a partial supply.

For example, a plant with a mixer may need forming and downstream equipment. A project with an existing press may instead need block transfer or packing machinery. Each arrangement is assessed against the existing process and connection requirements.

BellaEx can work with the customer to review equipment placement, material flow, and connections between process stages. Installation supervision, commissioning support, and related technical assistance can be included as agreed in the project contract.

Equipment supply is only one part of preparing a line for operation. The project scope also needs to define site preparation, connections, delivery arrangements, and responsibility for each item.

The agreed equipment list, service scope, and responsibilities are recorded in the project proposal and contract.

For a practical reference, here's a salt lick block project BellaEx undertook for a customer in Morocco.

The project was planned around three block weights—3 kg, 5 kg, and 10 kg—with equipment covering material handling, hydraulic pressing, and finished-block packing.

The signed sales contract specified the following equipment and mold arrangements:

In addition to the equipment configuration, the project discussions covered custom logo embossing and the layout of the equipment within the customer's facility.

BellaEx has also published a shipment update for this project, including information about the equipment and export preparations.

View the Morocco Salt Lick Block Line Shipment

A press-only or partial equipment supply can be discussed based on your project requirements.

If mixing, conveying, or packing equipment is already installed, we can review the interfaces and assess how the new equipment would fit into your existing process.

Not always.

For low-moisture salt and mineral materials that form suitable blocks under hydraulic pressure, the process may move from demolding to conveying and packing without a separate drying stage.

Formulations that require additional curing, stabilization, or other treatment after pressing need a separate process assessment.

If you are planning a new salt lick block production line or adding equipment to an existing plant, share your product and project requirements with BellaEx.

The following information will help us understand your plans:

You can also share finished-block photos, samples, preliminary building drawings, or an existing equipment list.

BellaEx can use these details to review the forming, material handling, conveying, and packing requirements, develop the equipment scope, and prepare a project quotation.

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Mineral Lick Block Production Process | From Pressing to Packing | Bellaex