Sand Making Machine

What is a sand making machine?

A sand making machine, also known as a vertical shaft impact crusher, is a type of equipment used to crush or shape rocks into sand particles. Its main purpose is to produce well-shaped sand products that can be used as a substitute for natural sand. A VSI Crusher is a type of impact crusher that uses a high-speed rotor to throw rock against itself or against stationary anvils. The “Vertical Shaft” part of the name simply means the main shaft that spins the rotor is oriented vertically. It accelerates the material and uses the impact energy to create consistently shaped, cubical sand particles. This is different from a jaw or cone crusher, which uses compression.

Structure of VSI Sand Making Machine

Understanding the main parts of a VSI crusher helps with operation and maintenance.

• Hopper: Where the feed material enters the machine.
• Distributor Plate: A small but critical plate that evenly distributes feed into the rotor.
• Rotor: The heart of the machine. It spins at high speed to accelerate the material.
• Crushing Chamber: The main body where the rock-on-rock or rock-on-anvil impact happens.
• Wear Parts: Replaceable components inside the machine, such as rotor tips and wear plates, that protect the main structure.
• Main Shaft Assembly: The precision-engineered shaft and bearing system that supports and spins the rotor.
• Drive System: The motor and belts that power the machine.

VSI Sand Making Machine Work Principle

The VSI crusher working principle is based on high-velocity impact.

1. Rock is fed through the hopper into the center of a rapidly spinning rotor.
2. Centrifugal force throws the rock towards the outer edge of the rotor at very high speed (e.g., 50-80 meters per second).
3. The rock exits the rotor and violently smashes into the crushing chamber. This is where the crushing happens.

However, an expert operator “tunes” the machine using the cascade feed. By blending the feed (e.g., 70% to the rotor, 30% to the cascade), you create a curtain of rock for the high-velocity particles to smash into. This maximizes efficient rock-on-rock collisions. Adjusting this ratio is like a fine-tuning knob for your sand’s shape and size, without even changing the rotor speed.

Production Process Of Sand Processing Plant

The sand making product line follows a systematic process. Here’s a clear and structured breakdown of the steps involved:

• Stone Crushing: Large stone pieces stored in the silo are fed into the jaw crusher by a vibrating feeder for coarse crushing. The crushed materials are then conveyed by a belt conveyor to a cone crusher or impact crusher for further crushing.
• Screening: The belt conveyor transports the crushed materials to a vibrating screen for screening. The vibrating screen separates the finished sands (materials above the sieve) from the oversized particles (materials under the sieve).
• Sand Washing: The finished sands are carried by a belt conveyor to a sand washing machine for washing and removing impurities. After washing, the cleaned sands are sent to the finished product stack with the help of a belt conveyor.
• Fine Crushing: The oversized particles (materials under the sieve) are conveyed by the belt conveyor to a vertical mobile impact crusher (artificial sand making machine for sale) for fine crushing. The finely crushed stones are then sent back to the vibrating screen for another round of screening.

This process forms a closed loop where the materials go through repeated crushing and screening stages until they meet the desired size and quality requirements. The rock crusher equipment continues until the desired amount of sand is produced. By following this structured sand processing line, sand manufacturing machines efficiently crush, screen, wash, and refine raw materials to produce high-quality sand products. Let’s take a look at a real case.

Types of sand making machine

How does a sand making machine work?

The material falls vertically into the high-speed rotating impeller from the upper part of the machine. Under the action of high-speed centrifugal force, it will collide with another part of the material shunted around the impeller in the form of an umbrella. The material forms a vortex between the casings, collides and rubs each other many times, is crushed, and is directly discharged from the lower part to form a closed circuit for multiple cycles. After being controlled by the screening equipment, the finished product reaches the required particle size.

The sand-making machine is composed of seven parts: a feeding hopper, a distributor, a vortex crushing chamber, an impeller body, a main shaft assembly, a base, a transmission device, and a motor.

What is Manufactured Sand and its Benefits?

Manufactured sand (M-Sand) is sand produced by crushing rock, as opposed to being naturally weathered and sourced from a river or pit. It is a superior alternative to natural sand.

Benefits:

• Consistent Gradation: You can control the particle size distribution perfectly.
• Cubical Shape: The impact crushing creates a cubical shape, which is ideal for concrete as it improves strength and workability.
• No Impurities: It is free from clay, silt, and other organic materials often found in river sand.
• Sustainable: It reduces the need for environmentally damaging river sand dredging.

Which Materials can be Processed by Sand Making Machine?

A VSI is very versatile but works best on medium to hard, abrasive materials that are relatively dry.

• Hard Rock: Granite, Basalt, Gabbro, Quartzite
• River Stone / Gravel
• Limestone and Dolomite
• Ores: Iron Ore, Gold Ore Tailings
• Construction Waste: Crushed Concrete, Brick

What are Features of Sand Making Machine from ZONEDING?

At ZONEDING, we focus on building robust and efficient sand machines.

• Optimized Rotor Design: Our rotors are designed for maximum efficiency and longer wear life, reducing your operating costs.
• High-Quality Components: We use durable, high-manganese steel and tungsten carbide for our wear parts, along with reliable components like Siemens motors.
• Advanced Lubrication Systems: We offer automated grease systems to protect the critical bearing cartridge, ensuring long-term performance.
• Full Plant Solutions: We don’t just sell a sand crusher; we design the entire manufactured sand plant, from feeding to screening and washing.

How Much Price of VSI Sand Making Machine Cost?

The sand making machine price can vary significantly.

• A smaller, Chinese-made VSI might start around $30,000.
• A medium to large-capacity, high-quality machine from a reputable brand like ZONEDING can range from $60,000 to $250,000 or more.

The price depends on the size, motor power, and the quality of the wear parts and bearings.However, the biggest consumable is not steel; it’s energy. A VSI is an energy glutton. The most common mistake is under-feeding it. A VSI runs most efficiently when the chamber is full, maximizing rock-on-rock crushing. Keeping the motor amperage in the optimal range is the key to producing the cheapest ton of sand.

How to Choose Right Sand Making Machine?

Choosing the right machine involves a few key steps:

1. Analyze Your Feed Material: What type of rock is it, and what is its size? A VSI needs a small, consistent feed (typically under 45mm).
2. Define Your Product: What are the specifications for the sand you need to produce? This determines if you need a rock-on-rock or rock-on-anvil setup.
3. Determine Required Capacity: How many tons per hour (TPH) do you need? This will define the model size and motor power.
4. Consider Your Budget: Factor in both the initial purchase price and the long-term operating costs, including energy and wear parts.

What are Differences among VSI Crushers and other type Sand Making Machine?

• VSI Crusher vs. Cone Crusher: A cone crusher uses compression and is excellent for making coarse aggregate (e.g., 10-40mm). A VSI uses impact and is specialized for making fine aggregate or sand (e.g., 0-5mm) with a superior cubical shape.
• VSI Crusher vs. Rod Mill: A rod mill is an older technology that tumbles rock with steel rods. It is less energy-efficient and has higher wear costs than a modern VSI.

What are the Main Wear Parts of VSI Sand Making Machine?

The high-velocity nature of a VSI means certain parts are designed to wear out and be replaced.

• Rotor Tips: Small, extremely hard inserts (often tungsten carbide) at the exit ports of the rotor.
• Wear Plates: Plates that line the inside of the rotor and the crushing chamber.
• Distributor Plate: A small plate at the top of the rotor that distributes feed evenly. This part is critical. If it wears unevenly, it will throw the rotor out of balance, leading to premature bearing failure. Inspecting this plate is a key sign of a healthy or unhealthy machine.

The vsi crusher wear parts cost is a significant part of your operating budget.

How Do You Select the Right Machine Capacity (TPH) for Your Plant?

Selecting the capacity is simple math.

1. Decide how many tons of sand you need to produce per day (e.g., 2,000 tons).
2. Determine your effective operating hours per day (e.g., 10 hours).
3. Calculate the required TPH: 2,000 tons / 10 hours = 200 TPH.

Always choose a machine with a slightly higher capacity (e.g., 220-250 TPH) to account for downtime and ensure you can meet your targets.

What Does Routine Maintenance for a VSI Crusher?

Routine maintenance is everything for a VSI.

• Moisture is the Silent Assassin: The biggest operational killer is wet, sticky feed. If you can squeeze your feed material and it clumps together, do not let it near your VSI. It will pack inside the rotor like concrete, causing a violent imbalance that can destroy the main bearings instantly.
• Lubrication is Life: The bearing cartridge spins at incredible speeds. You must use the specific high-speed synthetic grease recommended by the manufacturer. Using the wrong grease, or too much grease, is a death sentence for the bearings. An automated lubrication system is the best investment you can make.
• Regular Inspections: Daily checks of belt tension and weekly inspections of all wear parts are essential. Listen for changes in vibration or sound.

Why Choose ZONEDING?

As a manufacturer of aggregate production equipment since 1990, we understand what it takes to build a machine that lasts. At ZONEDING, we offer a comprehensive product line, providing one-stop solutions from crushing to screening and sand washing. Our factory-direct sales model means you get a better price without sacrificing quality. We use durable steel and world-class components like Siemens PLCs and Schneider inverters. Our 30+ years of experience and exports to over 120 countries mean we have the expertise to design a manufactured sand plant that is perfectly tailored to your materials and your market, ensuring you get the fastest return on your investment.

FAQ

What is the best feed size for a VSI sand making machine?
The ideal feed size is typically between 5mm and 45mm. A consistent, well-graded feed without excessive fines will give the best performance and product shape.
How much power does a VSI crusher consume?
A VSI is energy-intensive. A medium-sized machine (150-200 TPH) might have a motor between 200 kW (270 HP) and 315 kW (420 HP). Running the machine at its optimal feed rate is key to energy efficiency.
Can a VSI make different sizes of sand?
Yes. You can adjust the final product size by changing the rotor speed. A faster speed produces finer sand, while a slower speed produces coarser sand. Tuning the cascade feed also helps control gradation.

General Specification

Model		VSI-7611	VSI-8518	VSI-9526	VSI-1140	VSI-1145
Capacity (t/h)	Cascade and Center Feeding	120-180	200-260	300-360	450-520	490-600
	Center Feeding	60-90	100-130	150-190	225-260	250-310
Feeding Size (mm)	Soft Material	< 35	< 40	< 45	< 50	< 50
	Hard Material	< 30	< 35	< 40	< 45	< 45
Rotation Speed (r/min)		1700-1890	1520-1690	1360-1510	1180-1310	1180-1280
Power of the Double Motors (kw)		110-150	180-220	264-320	400-440	440-520
Overall dimension L*W*H (mm)		3700*2150*2100	4140*2280*2425	4560*2447*2278	5000*2700*3300	5100*2790*3320
Power Source		380v:50hz
Vibrating Sensor		Inspection Scope:0.1-20mm/s, it can be adjusted continuously.
Hydraulic Lubrication Station	Power of Double Oil Pump	2×0.31kw
	Safety	Double oil pumps make sure supply of oil with; Stop automatically without oil flow or oil pressure; Water cooled; Heating start the motor in winter.
	Overall Dimension L*W*H (mm)	820x520x1270
	Power of Oil-Box     Heater	2kw