A metal briquetting press produces briquettes whose size and shape are primarily determined by the mold or compression chamber (also called the "die") that is installed on the machine.

Here’s a breakdown of the key factors:

1. The Mold / Die (The Primary Factor)

This is the interchangeable part that defines the briquette.

Shape: Most common shapes are cylindrical (pucks, logs) or cuboid (bricks).

Size: Diameters typically range from 30mm (1.2") to 120mm (4.7") or more.

Common industrial sizes are between 50mm (2") and 90mm (3.5") in diameter.

Height/Thickness is usually between 20mm (0.8") and 80mm (3"), depending on the volume of the charge.

Design: The mold can have a single large chamber to produce one big briquette per cycle, or multiple smaller chambers to produce several small briquettes (e.g., 4 or 6) simultaneously.

2. Machine Specifications (The Enabling Factors)

The press must have enough power and the right design to fill the chosen mold.

Compression Force: Measured in tons. A larger mold volume requires a higher tonnage press to achieve the necessary density. Small mills might be 10-25 tons, while large industrial systems can exceed 500 tons.

Chamber Fill Opening: The size of the hopper or feed opening limits the maximum size of loose scrap that can be loaded, which influences the final briquette's dimensions.

Stroke Length & Platen Size: These determine the maximum height and width of the mold that can be accommodated.

3. Material Type and Density

The same mold will produce a slightly different briquette size if you switch materials. For example, a chamber filled with aluminum turnings will produce a larger, less dense briquette than the same chamber filled with cast iron borings, which compress into a smaller, heavier briquette.

The target is usually a high density (e.g., 5,000 - 7,000 kg/m³ for steel), not a fixed dimension.

Typical Size Ranges by Application:

Small Workshop/Swarf: 30mm - 60mm diameter pucks, from smaller presses.

General Machining Shop: 60mm - 90mm diameter pucks or bricks, the most common range.

Large Foundry/Steel Mill: 90mm - 120mm+ diameter large logs or bricks, from high-tonnage systems.

In summary:
The metal briquetting press produces briquettes in a size and shape determined by its installed mold. Common briquettes are cylindrical, 2 to 4 inches in diameter, and 1 to 3 inches thick. To know the exact size for a specific press, you must look at the specifications of the mold or die it is equipped with.

When purchasing or operating a press, you select or order the mold based on the briquette size you need for optimal handling, melting efficiency, or sale to recyclers.