How to Identify and Solve small fish feed pellet extruder Die Hole Clogging? - Knowledge

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Accurately identifying early signs of die blockage in floating fish feed making machines can prevent the problem from escalating. For extruders with extrusion functions, the most obvious initial sign of blockage is uneven die discharge, a sharp drop in pellet production, and an abnormally high current (more than 30% higher than normal). This is because when the die is blocked, the material discharge is obstructed, the screw extrusion resistance increases, and the motor load surges. Secondly, the pressure gauges in the extrusion system will exhibit abnormal fluctuations. During normal processing, the pressure is stable at 3-5 MPa, but during blockage, the pressure will suddenly rise to over 6 MPa, accompanied by increased machine vibration and abnormal noise. Furthermore, if localized material accumulation, scorched or undercooked pellets are observed at the die outlet, it may also be due to localized die blockage causing excessive material residence time. For example, in fish feed extrusion production, if the previously consistently produced 3mm floating pellets suddenly become sparse, and the machine vibration is significant, die blockage should be immediately suspected.

Emergency solutions should be implemented according to the degree of blockage in different small fish feed pellet making machines. For minor blockages (only a few die holes are blocked, resulting in a slight decrease in output), the problem can be alleviated by adjusting operating parameters: first, reduce the feed rate by 50%, and simultaneously increase the die head heating temperature by 10-15°C, maintaining this temperature for 10-15 minutes. The high temperature will soften the blocked material, allowing it to drain naturally. If this is ineffective, briefly increase the screw speed (not exceeding 10% of the rated speed) to increase the extrusion pressure and clear the blockage. For moderate to severe blockages (sudden drop in output, soaring pressure), immediately stop the machine and disconnect the power. Allow the equipment to cool to below 50°C before proceeding: disassemble the die head and clean the blocked material using a special wire brush and drill bit (matching the die hole diameter). For stubborn blockages, soak the die head in 80-100°C hot water for 30 minutes to soften it before cleaning. Simultaneously, check the expansion chamber and screw for residual material to prevent secondary blockages. Note that during cleaning, never use sharp tools to scratch the inner wall of the die head holes, as this will lead to uneven particle formation later.

Preventing die hole clogging in fish feed production equipment at its source is key to reducing the incidence of problems. Core measures include three aspects: First, optimize raw material pretreatment to ensure uniform particle size (80-120 mesh), remove impurities such as stones and metal, and control the moisture content to 12%-15%-excessive moisture can lead to material sticking and clogging, while insufficient moisture increases extrusion resistance. Second, standardize operating procedures: preheat the machine to the preset temperature before starting (usually 120-140℃ for puffing processing), then slowly feed the material to avoid cold feeding causing material sticking; before stopping, empty the extrusion chamber to prevent residual material from clumping and mold growth. Third, maintain the equipment regularly: check die hole wear weekly, replace severely worn parts promptly, clean the puffing system monthly to ensure the screw and extrusion chamber are smooth and free of material accumulation, and calibrate pressure and temperature instruments to ensure accurate parameter display. These measures can reduce the incidence of die hole clogging by more than 80%.

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