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TERRAZZO TILE MACHINE · ILLUSTRATED GUIDE

How a Terrazzo Tile
Is Made

33 diagrams: raw material, machines, a finished tile and a complete line.
No long text to read — the pictures carry it.
8product lines
12process steps
7auxiliary machines
0.3–0.4water/cement ratio
Scroll down · 33 panels · print-ready
CONTENTS

What this guide covers

33 panels in five parts. Open a part to jump straight to the panel you need.

01 · Where a tile comes from

Pressed it is a blank. Ground it is terrazzo.

Straight from the mould the tile is grey and the pattern invisible. The chips are cut open, and the colour appears, only after grinding and polishing.

Just pressed cement-rich skin chips buried underneath grind off 2–3 mm calibrate + polish After grinding chips cut open colour and texture appear As-pressed thickness = finished thickness + grinding allowance (2–3 mm) So quote on the finished size and buy material on the pressed size — the gap is 2–3 mm.
KEYGrinding sets the look
ALLOWANCEPress 2–3 mm thicker than finished
02 · Two ways to make it

Casting and pressing are two different trades

Terrazzo literature uses two vocabularies: one for casting in place, one for factory-pressed tiles. Mix, process and acceptance differ — know which you are reading before comparing numbers.

Factory-pressed tile — this guide press finished tile · High-pressure filter pressing squeezes the water out · Low w/c (0.3–0.4) → high strength, low absorption · Cured under controlled temperature and humidity · Fixed grinding settings, consistent gloss → What this guide is about Cast-in-place floor — the other way hand screeded, roller compacted · Mixed and placed on site, no dewatering · High w/c (0.4–0.5) → strength scatters · Depends on weather and the crew · “Two-slurry three-grind”, “divider strip” belong here → Two trades, numbers do not transfer
How to tell at a glance: See “1:1.5–1:2.5 by volume”, “two-slurry three-grind”, “set divider strips” — that is site work.
See “w/c 0.35”, “filter pressing”, “demoulding strength”, “abrasive grit” — that is press work.
03 · How the tile is built

This machine makes single-layer, through-body tile

The JS series is single-layer filter pressing: one metered fill, one mix through the body, chips from face to back. Two-colour double-layer needs a separate double-layer terrazzo tile machine and a second feeder.

This machine: single layer, through-body One fill, one press, one mix throughout Red dashes = ground face (2–3 mm off) 2 mm off5 mm off8 mm off Chips all the way down, uniform section 20–30 mm thick, one mix throughout Double layer: a different machine Second feeder: costly face mix + semi-dry base face 3–8 mm ↑ face / base line base 12–25 mm | cheap, load-bearing The 3–8 mm face is a separate decorative layer Less material, but a second feeder
This machine is single layerJS-600 / JS-600s / JS-1000 are all single-layer: one fill, one press, one mix
Double layer needs another machineThe two-colour machine adds a second feeder — a model of its own, not an option
Single layer costs more in materialColoured chips and white cement run through the whole body, so material costs more than double layer — the return is a section that looks the same at any depth
04 · One press, eight products

One press, eight products

Change the mould to change the shape, change the finishing line to change the surface. Kept apart, these two explain how one line covers so many products.

Terrazzo tile Grind → polish 600×600 / 500×500 Floors, platforms, plazas Main product PC paver Blasted, not ground 300–600 mm squares Landscaping, walkways Stone-like look Kerb stone Static pressing Made to drawing Road edging Slow cycle, 40–90 s Roof tile Spray painted 1230×640×15 Pitched roofs Flexural strength, not gloss Formwork Anti-corrosion mesh 460×1010 Wall formwork, ring beams Insulation after curing Large slab Up to 1500×1000 Pressed on JS-1000 Cladding, large spaces Needs bottom vibration + vacuum Tactile paving Dome or bar moulds 300×300, 400×400 Accessibility Often mandatory in public work Other specials Swap the mould Cast stone · rustic · ribbed Wall block · cladding · tree grate Steps · skirting Mould lead time 3–4 weeks
Three questions first: One machine covers many products. Settle these three first: ① Flat or profiled (sets the mould) ② Exposed chips or not (sets grinding, blasting or washing) ③ Facing or structural (sets the mix and the acceptance criteria)
Machines that make these products terrazzo tile making machine ceramic tile machine
05 · Surface finishes

One tile, eight possible surfaces

The press only makes a blank; the look and the slip rating come from finishing. Decide the application first, then the surface.

Mirror polish 1500–3000 grit + polish R9 | lobbies, showrooms Matt / satin Stop at 400–800 grit Medium | most indoor, retail Matt anti-slip Stop at 200–400 grit Med-high | hospitals, schools Bush hammered Mechanical pick or wire brush R11+ | plazas, ramps Shot blasting Steel shot, chips left uncut High | outdoor, car parks Water washing Retarder, then wash, chips exposed High | gardens, landscape Antique finish Brushed and stained Medium | heritage, retrofits Impregnation Penetrating sealer Standard outdoors | no colour shift
Gloss and grip trade offBrighter means slicker, grippier means duller. No tile is both R11 and 80 gloss.
Application first, finish secondLobbies want gloss, ramps want bite, gardens want exposed chips.
Three of them skip the grinding lineBush hammering, blasting and washing run on other equipment — pick the route before you buy
06 · Compared with other tiles

Five materials compete for the same floor

Before buying a machine, the customer picks a material. This table answers who you compete with, and why you win.

Item Terrazzo (this press) Ceramic tile Natural stone Pervious concrete Epoxy terrazzo Section look Chips throughout Cut, ground, chamfered alike Printed surface Print, not through-body Natural veining Cannot be repeated Coarse grain Little decoration Takes patterns Looks plastic Water absorption 3–8% Seal outdoor tiles ≤ 0.5% Lowest of all 0.2–1% Stains, needs care ≥ 10% Built to drain Non-absorbent but substrate must be dry Slabs and impact 20–30 mm, solid Load-bearing, fewer joints Thin and brittle Big slabs need backing Comes thick Hidden cracks possible Average Edges chip under load 3–5 mm topping Dents under impact Outdoor weathering Suitable to EN 13748-2 Suitable Pick an anti-slip face Suitable Seal all six faces Suitable Frost resistance varies Not advised UV yellowing Can you make it One press line A local plant works Needs a kiln Different scale of capex Depends on a quarry Buy blocks and cut Low barrier Crowded, price-driven Site-applied A trade, not a product Ex-works price, same size, no tax or freight: pervious concrete < ceramic < terrazzo < epoxy < natural stone. In municipal, landscape and school work terrazzo bids against stone and pervious pavers — the whole package wins, not the square-metre price.
The solid body is the strong cardCut it, grind it deep, chamfer it — the chips are still there, not a printed layer. Thick slabs, specials and steps come off the same line.
Absorption draws the lineAt 3–8% it sits a class away from porcelain; for outdoor work design to EN 13748-2 and seal the face.
The whole order competesTile plus skirting, steps and corners from one supplier — exactly where stone and ceramic struggle to follow.
07 · Sizes and tolerances

How big, how thick, how tight

The three specification questions buyers ask most. Once settled, mould, tonnage and cost can be worked out.

Common sizes Nominal size Typical thickness Typical use 300 × 30020–25 mmIndoor floors, bathrooms 400 × 40020–25 mmIndoor, corridors 500 × 50025–30 mmLobbies, public areas 600 × 60025–30 mmMain project size, most exported 800 × 80030 mmLarge spaces, retail 600 × 120025–30 mmSlabs, fewer joints Made to drawingPer drawingSteps, skirting, corners, patterns Above 800 mm derive tonnage from face pressure — a bigger press does not by itself make bigger tiles. Specials and trims (skirting, steps, corners) usually earn a better margin than the main tile. Setting the thickness ① Strength scales with thickness A tile bends; capacity rises with the cube of thickness ② Grinding allowance 2–3 mm 20 mm finished = 22–23 mm pressed; buy on the pressed size Factory dimensional tolerance Length / width±1 to ±2 mm Thickness±1 to ±2 mm Diagonal≤ 1.5 mm Squareness≤ 0.3 mm Flatness (incl. warp)≤ 1.0 mm Factory control values; the contract governs.
Size first, tonnage secondAt one tonnage a 600 and an 800 tile differ twofold in face pressure — size on the largest
Two constraints on thicknessFlexural demand and grinding allowance — take the thicker
Tolerance is ex-worksFlatness after laying depends on substrate and crew; specify the two separately
08 · Moulds and changeover

Change the size, change the mould set

One machine makes eight products because frame and punch swap out. Change size or thickness and the mould set changes — budget for it up front.

A mould set = frame + punch Punch Cavity Frame (sets length × width) The punch shapes the face; the frame sets the outline; both fix the thickness; new size, new set. Three changeover numbers 60 min Per change (skilled fitter) Incl. setting, trial press, first-off check 100 changes a year ≈ 100 hours 1–2 sets Kept for standard sizes One set per main size Worn sets can be rebuilt 3–4 weeks Lead time for a special Made to drawing, sample approval Check stock before quoting Cutting changeover cost ① Batch one size at a time — one changeover running a full lot saves far more than splitting ② Quick-change: dowel location plus hydraulic clamping gets it under 30 min ③ Buy moulds for the top sizes first — 80% of orders land on two or three sizes
The mould follows the sizeAny change of length, width or thickness means a new set, not a parameter tweak
Changeover is a cost100 changes a year is 100 hours down; scheduling drives output
Specials: ask the lead time firstCustom moulds take 3–4 weeks — check stock before taking a rush order
09 · How the press applies force

Only four parts of a press do the work

Four parts: main cylinder, punch, frame, ejection. The cylinder supplies tonnage; punch area sets the pressure the tile actually sees.

Main cylinder 1 2 3 4 Water 1 Main cylinder Supplies the force. Tonnage on the spec sheet is its rated thrust 2 Upper punch + filter mesh Presses down; water leaves through the mesh, so the face densifies 3 Mould frame Sets the tile size — new frame, new size 4 Base plate + ejector Demoulding. Even ejection keeps the body intact The same 350 t on a 600×600 tile gives only about 9.5 MPa — below the working range. Tonnage alone does not compact (see 12).
The punch decides densityThe cylinder only supplies force; punch area and mesh drainage decide the pressure at the face
The frame is the “size switch”Swap frame and punch and the same machine runs 300–600 mm tiles — the physical basis of “one press, many products”
Ejection keeps the body wholeEjection must be even and synchronised; uneven force breaks the body
10 · Three things happen at once

Compaction: squeeze the water out, drive the air out

One stroke does three jobs: squeeze water, release bubbles, draw vacuum. Miss any one and the face will not look dense.

① Dewatering Pressure drives water out through the mesh Finished w/c 0.3–0.4, reached by pressing ② De-airing Vibration packs the chips into a skeleton Bubbles break; stop when it sinks no more ③ Vacuum (large-format models) vacuum Pulls residual air and water out fast Lowest porosity, highest density ①②③ are the three capabilities — filter pressing, vibration, vacuum. Models differ in how they combine them.
Pressing sets the w/c ratioMix at 0.45, press to 0.35 — that 0.1 is what tonnage buys
Vibration is not pressureVibration re-arranges the chips, pressure only packs them tighter. With large chips, pressure alone will not expel the air
Filter pressing is internal dewateringOne fill, water pushed out through top and bottom mesh — no split-layer feeding
11 · Three press types

Three machine types for three kinds of tile

Each type suits a different aggregate and format. Start from the tile you want to make, not from tonnage.

① Enclosed press Type W Chipsfine – medium Cycle4–8 / min Capexmedium Best for Many sizes, small batches, standard pavers ② Vibro-vacuum Type WV Vib Vib Chipsmedium – extra large Cycle1–2 / min Capexhigh Best for Large chips, thick tiles, 1500×1000 slabs ③ Rotary Type WC Turntable six stations, jobs in parallel Chipsfine – medium Cycle3–8 / min Capexhigh Best for One size, long runs, output Also keep apart: the vibrating casting table (high w/c, demoulded overnight) and dry-press firing at 1000 °C — ceramic, not terrazzo.
WV for large chips and thick tileLarge chips, thick tile and big formats need vibration with vacuum; an enclosed press cannot do it
Cycle time and density pull opposite waysWV is the densest and the slowest at 1–2 strokes a minute. Size the line on its bottleneck, not its fastest unit
Rotary buys output with stationsOutput comes from station count, not pressure. Few sizes at high volume is where rotary wins
The three JS models JS-500 terrazzo tile machine JS-600 terrazzo tile machine JS-1000 terrazzo tile machine
12 · Face pressure

A 500 t press leaves 7.7 MPa on an 800 tile

Tonnage on a spec sheet is total output force, not the pressure the tile sees. Density follows face pressure — and that falls with the square of the tile side.

One 500 tf press, four tile sizes ← working range 12–20 MPa 01020 3040 400×400 1600 cm² 30.6 500×500 2500 cm² 19.6 600×600 3600 cm² 13.6 800×800 6400 cm² 7.7 ← too low p = F ÷ A F force (500 tf = 500 000 kgf) A area (cm²) 1 kgf/cm² ≈ 0.098 MPa Double the side, quarter the pressure An 800 tile calls for a 1000 t class press; pressure decides that, not margin. Backwards: for 15 MPa on a 600 tile, 15 × 3600 ÷ 1000 ÷ 0.098 ≈ 550 tf Same 500 t: the bigger the tile, the lower the pressure. Size tonnage on the largest finished size.
Normal face pressure12–20 MPa is the range
Below 10 MPaNot dense enough, gloss will not come up
Above 25 MPaWears the mould, rarely needed
Press and tonnage custom hydraulic press full terrazzo tile machine range
13 · The three front-end machines

Batcher, mixer, doser: how accurate the mix is

The press decides how dense; these three decide how accurate. Batching, mixing and dosing are the input end of the line.

① Auto batcher stonesandCement weigh hopper load cells 14.5 kW　2.9 t 5.6 × 1.65 × 2.75 m It decides: is the batch mix right ② Skip mixer skip pan Ø 1.4 m Mix 7.5 kW + hoist 4.5 kW 2.25 × 1.55 × 2.72 m　1.5 t It decides: is the slurry even ③ Dosing unit slurry hopper measuring cylinder graduated dial Volumetric dosing, stepless handwheel Feed accuracy ≤ ±2% It decides: same weight every tile
These three set batch consistencyA 1% batching error can move strength by 5% or more — most batch-to-batch drift starts here
Weigh pigment on its ownAt 2–5% of cement it will not disperse if tipped in with the bulk
Dosing is by volume, not weightThe cylinder measures volume, so a thicker or thinner slurry changes the dose — hold the w/c ratio first
14 · One batch

Charging order: pigment dry-blends with cement first

On one recipe, shade depends on two things: charging order and weighing accuracy. Fix those two and batches stay steady.

Charging order 1 Pigment + cement, dry first 60–90 s | cement coats the pigment 2 Add aggregate (stone, sand) 30 s more to even out the dry mix 3 Water, in two steps 80% first, top up on how it looks 4 Discharge to the doser Holds a ball, breaks when dropped Weighing accuracy Pigment ± 0.5% Smallest share, biggest effect Cement ± 1% Source of strength and heat Aggregate ± 2% Bad grading shows on the face Water ± 2% The one people judge by feel Working out one batch Water = cement × w/c (0.3–0.4) Pigment = cement × dosage (usually 2–5%) Rest = batch volume × component share Dose pigment on cement weight On total weight the shade drifts
Dry-blend pigment with cementCoated in cement powder it will not clump; tipped into wet mix it never disperses
Add water in two stepsAll at once it runs wet, presses soft and loses strength — read the slurry, then add the last 20%
Judge the mix by a test“Holds a ball, breaks when dropped” is a test anyone can repeat — better than feel
15 · Mix design

More stone powder, or more chips?

One variable shapes the recipe: what shows on the polished face. Powder-heavy reads fine and quiet, chip-heavy reads bold and granular. That is positioning, not skill.

① Powder-based cost driven powder 50–60% Cement chips 10–20% Fine and even No visible grain Municipal · volume Powder is cheap, fills voids, densifies the body Cost: no stone look ② Chip-based look driven chips 60% Cement powder 12% Bold grain Clear depth Premium · lobbies Chips cost more, wear faster, shade harder to hold Cost: price and process control ③ Recycled fillers policy driven Recycled aggregate / fly ash / slag / cullet Cheaper, greener Batch variation must be held Three tests: radioactivity · leaching · strength Decide what you sell, then write the recipe — the mix is part of the product, not an accessory to the machine. Within a route, chip size sets the stone look Fine 1–2 mm Even speck, no grain Indoor fine · cheapest Medium 3–5 mm Clear chips, steadiest look Mainstream · sells best Coarse 5–8 mm Big chips, strongest depth Outdoor thick tile · higher value 8–12 mm chips appear only in art tiles and slabs and need a vibrating vacuum press (see 11); the coarser the chip, the more abrasive you burn.
16 · Buying the raw materials

Four materials set colour and strength

The machine is chosen, the materials are still yours to buy. Change supplier on one recipe and the shade moves a step — the buying list is what people skip.

Binder White cement + P.O 42.5 What to buy White Portland cement for the face, ordinary Portland 42.5 behind What to check · Steady whiteness (shade starts here) · Soundness passes (no efflorescence) · Low alkali (pigment blotching) · Fresh bags, no lumps 18–25% of face mix | dearest part Aggregate Marble / quartz / glass What to buy Marble, granite, quartz sand, glass, shell, crushed ceramic What to check · Clay content ≤ 1.0% · Three-step grading (coarse, mid, fine) · One quarry (steady shade) · Pick out off-colour pieces 60–75% of dry mix | sets the look Pigment Iron-oxide pigments What to buy Iron oxide red / yellow / black, titania; no organic pigments in cement What to check · Alkali and light fast (no fading) · Buy a whole shade in one lot · Weigh it, never guess · Above 3% strength drops 0.5–3% of cement | small but critical Admixtures PCE superplasticiser What to buy Mainly superplasticiser, plus defoamer; accelerator or water repellent as needed What to check · Trial-mix for cement fit · Dose-sensitive: less, not more · No chloride antifreeze · Trial it with the pigment 0.3–1.0% of binder Three buying rules: ① one white-cement supplier, a retained sample per lot; ② one colour lot at a time, mixer cleaned on every change; ③ screen aggregate on arrival — fix grading with filler, not with more cement. Superplasticiser is what makes pressing work: it buys low w/c, while adding water for workability costs strength.
Source the material firstWhite cement and coloured chips usually come from away; where only grey cement and river sand are local, the recipe must follow
90% starts in purchasingAcross lots or quarries the shade shifts; fixing the supplier beats adjusting the machine
Aggregate is the bulkSixty to seventy percent of the dry mix is stone; its price and freight set the material cost per square metre
17 · The process

Twelve steps; the first nine are shared

Terrazzo tile, PC pavers, kerb stone, roof tile, permanent formwork — the first nine steps are much the same. The line splits after curing.This machine is single layer, so it skips step ⑥, the base mix.

① Material inspect, store ② Batching weigh each part ③ Mixing wet / semi-dry ④ Face mix fill the cavity ⑤ Vibration de-air, settle ⑥ Base mix skipped here ⑦ Pressing filter, dewater ⑧ Demoulding onto racks ⑨ Curing strength builds Shared trunk (all product lines) Splits after curing ⑩A Grinding calibrate → coarse → fine → polish Terrazzo · through-body · cast stone ⑩B Blasting Shot roughens, chips stay whole PC pavers · stone-look ⑩C Coating colour + cure Roof tile ⑩D None Pressed is finished Formwork · kerb stone Order of selection Finishing line first, press second. Finishing sets the surface; the press sets shape and density. Terrazzo takes a grinding line, PC pavers a shot blaster, roof tiles a spray line — the three are not interchangeable.
18 · How the machine moves

Eight actions per tile

A single-layer press repeats eight actions in a fixed order; the length of one cycle is the ceiling on output.

①②③ ④⑤⑥ ⑦⑧ Metered fillVibrationClose VacuumPressuriseHold ReleaseEject pre-press → high 3–5 s slow timed, meteredtil bubbles stop some modelswet press, eject One full cycle: 15–40 s per tile (by model and size) then back to ① and repeat The three orange cells are the settings: their values decide density, and whether the body survives. Release speed matters most: open the mould with pressure still inside and the layers pull apart.
Hold 3–5 secondsUnder 3 s it is not dense; past 5 s nothing improves but output drops. This is the quality/output balance point
Release slowlyOpen with pressure still inside and the layers separate — fix this value and leave it
Keep the pre-press stageIt pushes the bulk air out before full pressure, so the mould closes faster and the air leaves more completely
19 · How grinding works

Five heads, coarse to fine

Grinding steps up through the grits and never skips one. The scratches a pass leaves are removed by the next, finer block.

Head 1 Diamond · coarse Take the skin off Head 2 Diamond · medium Level it out Head 3 Resin · fine Fine, Ra ≤ 1.6 Head 4 Resin · extra fine Hone, Ra ≤ 0.8 Head 5 Resin polisher Mirror ≥ 60 GU finer → Heads 1–2 are metal-bonded and cut hard; 3–5 are resin-bonded and bring up gloss. Wet grinding: blocks last 2–3× longer and there is no silica dust
Gloss rests on strengthIf the body is weak, no block is fine enough to bring out a shine
Rinse between stepsCoarse grit carried over scratches the face at the next step
Gloss against gripPushing past 60 GU costs slip resistance — outdoors, keep margin
Grinding and polishing machines terrazzo tile polishing machine MSJ-5060 rotary polishing machine
20 · Inside the grinding machine

A grinding machine is a row of heads over a water channel

The previous panel covered grits; this one covers how blocks are loaded onto the tile and how the swarf is carried away — the two things that set gloss and abrasive cost.

Heads 3 / 5 / 8 / 12 — the count sets how many grit stages you can run CalibrateCoarse MediumHonePolish Water Water Swarf settles out, water reused Pneumatic loading: too little and it will not cut, too much and it marks the tile and eats blocks — the usual adjustment on a grinding line Head speed, grit (previous panel), conveyor speed, water flow — together they set gloss and throughput
The calibrator is its own machineIt brings every tile to one thickness (±1 mm) so the later passes cut evenly
Head count sets the stagesFive heads give five stages; to reach 3000 grit you compress the middle — work back from the target grit to the head count
Wet grinding is the normBlocks last 2–3× longer, it cuts faster, and there is no dust
21 · Where gloss comes from

The machine gives 60. The chemistry gives 80.

On one polisher, changing blocks and adding or skipping a polish can move gloss by more than 25 GU. It comes in two stages: blocks set the base, chemistry sets the ceiling.

Gloss (60°, GU) climbs with each stage — and no stage can be skipped 10–15 Coarse Metal blocks 25–30 Medium Metal blocks 40–45 Fine Resin · Ra 1.6 55–60 Hone Resin · Ra 0.8 ≥ 60 Polishing block Machine ceiling 70–90 Chemistry Polish / crystalliser 60 Oxalic acid Fast gloss, low price Gloss fades quickly Efflorescence outdoors Traditional route Crystallising powder Silicates, fluorosilicates Higher gloss, longer life Forms a hard clear film About 0.03 kg/m² The premium route
Head 5 is the machine limitThe resin block reaches 60 GU and that is the machine's edge; beyond it you need chemistry
Beyond that, chemistryMore pressure adds no gloss — it shifts the colour and burns blocks
Acid versus crystalliserAcid is fast and cheap but fades; powder goes higher and lasts two to three times as long
22 · Curing

Curing sets strength, and shine

Cement needs time, water and warmth. Miss one and strength stalls — and the tile will not polish bright.

0℃20 406080 036 141724 h 70 °C ceiling ① Rest 2–4 h at ambient ② Ramp up ≤15–20 ℃/h ③ Hold 60–70 °C, RH 95–100% ④ Cool down ≤20 ℃/h Ramp ≤ 15–20 °C/h 60–70 °C is the sweet spot Cool ≤ 20 °C/h No steam? Cure naturally: Cover to hold moisture, spray 2–3 times a day 70% strength at 7 days, 90% at 14, full strength at 28.The first three days are critical — never let it dry out.
Check strength before grindingGrind only at strength, or the chips tear instead of cut
Curing days cannot be compressedGrind early and every later pass has to be redone
23 · Handling after the press

After the press, four more steps

Beyond the press, handling, stacking and pallets decide whether the rhythm of the line holds together.

Press out wet, one at a time Robot stacking single / twin head, vacuum Curing pallets go in too De-stack, feed auto de-stacker Polisher 6-station carousel Stack out vacuum, no clamp marks pallets circulate here tile pallet / separator Tile, board, tile — stacked into curing Sizing the pallet fleet ≈ daily output (pcs) × curing days × 1.1 e.g. 1200 a day, 7 days → about 9200 pallets Buy for what is curing, not per day Thousands of pieces — a real cost line Twin head follows the press count, not output: one stacker serving two presses needs twin heads, if they sit together and the cycles match.
Vacuum at the polisherClamps mark a polished face, so this stretch uses vacuum cups
Pallet count follows curingSeven days of curing needs seven days of pallets; buying per day leaves nothing to turn over
Stacking saves labourOne machine replaces two or three people, so payback tracks local wages — where labour is cheap, semi-automatic wins
Finishing equipment terrazzo tile linear polishing machine single-head polishing machine
24 · Power and the whole line

What transformer the line needs

Add up installed power and the transformer follows. The table estimates a typical JS-600 single-layer set.

Typical JS-600 single-layer set (one 8-hour shift) Equipment Power Stage Auto batcher14.5 kWFront end Skip mixer (mix + hoist)12 kWFront end JS-600 press11 kWForming MJS-5060 polisher (heads + pump)45 kWFinishing Stacker + de-stacker≈ 8 kWFinishing Dust collector + water pump≈ 10 kWAuxiliary Line total ≈ 97 kW Sizing the transformer Installed load 97 kW × demand factor 0.8 78 kW ÷ power factor 0.85 ≈ 91 kVA Transformer 125 kVA 3-phase 380 V / 50 Hz, 30% spare The main hydraulic pump draws 3–5× rating on start Leave starting headroom in the rating 125 kVA is the recommendation With a JS-1000 (33 kW press) or two presses the line passes 150 kW and the transformer must be recalculated.
Check the transformer firstIf the existing supply is short, upgrading costs money and time — put both in the budget
Count the auxiliariesDust collection, pumps, compressor and lighting all count; totalling only the press is the usual mistake
Size cable on currentLong runs and heavy current need a derated check — settle the cable size at installation
25 · Building and services

How much floor, and three things to measure first

A standard JS-600 line takes about 200 m² over four zones: raw material, production, curing, finished goods. Curing is usually the largest and the most often underestimated.

Laying out the four zones Raw material Silos, batcher, mixer about 40 m² | keep dry Production Press, doser, outfeed about 60 m² | own plinth Curing Racks, pallet circulation about 70 m² | 7–14 days of stock Finished goods Buffer, packing, loading about 30 m² | forklift aisle Indicative proportions — scale to your machine count and output. Double the output and curing must double with it. Three conditions before you start ① Headroom Crane handling of moulds and silo filling both need clear height With silos and a hoist, allow the real machine height ② Floor Level ≤ 2 mm/m, concrete ≥ C20 Cast the press plinth separately from the slab ③ Power About 97 kW installed, 125 kVA transformer 380 V 3-phase / 50 Hz; allow 3–5× for pump starting Running noise ≤ 70 dB(A); give the grinding line its own drainage and slurry settling.
Curing takes the floorBudget 7–14 days of stock; it grows with output, so do not size it on one day
The floor is not negotiableMiss the level or the concrete grade and the press loses its accuracy once installed
Existing capacity comes firstIf the supply is short it must be upgraded — cost and lead time go in up front
26 · Choosing the machine

Four questions, one configuration

Four questions set the configuration: product type, largest size, daily output, surface. Answer them and both the layout and the price band fall into place.

Q1 Flat or profiled? Flat tile: change the mould, change the size Profiled: own moulds, maybe another model → Decides: number of mould sets 1–2 sets for standard sizes Specials take 3–4 weeks Q2 Largest size? 600×600 → 360–400 t is enough 800×800 or slabs → 1000 t, vib + vacuum → Decides: press tonnage Work back from p = F/A for 12–20 MPa Size on the largest format, keep margin Q3 Daily output? 200–500 m² → one machine 800 m² and up → carousel or several lines → Decides: model and count Work back from the grinder, not the press The grinding line is usually the bottleneck Q4 What surface? Gloss → grinding line Stone-like texture → shot blaster → Decides: the finishing set Finishing is 40–60% of the line cost Buy for the target surface in one go Three more to confirm ① Building Area (curing takes most) Headroom, floor strength Power (a dedicated transformer) ② Budget shape Budget the line, not just the press Ask for a turnkey-line quotation ③ Scope of service Is installation included? How many days? How many people trained, for how long? Is mix design support included? Right configuration, output on day one
27 · Output and staffing

How many tiles a day, and how many people

The press does not set output on its own. Build the line around it and blanks pile up that the grinder cannot clear — derive real capacity from the grinding line.

Theoretical output Q = n × z × A × 60 n strokes per minute | z cavities | A tile area (m²) e.g. 600×600, one cavity, 6 strokes a minute 6 × 1 × 0.36 × 60 = 129.6 m²/h About 1000 m² in 8 hours — theoretical, not output Three discounts to reality ① Uptime 75–85% Mould changes, cleaning, handover, waiting for mix ② Changeover 1–2 h each The more size changes, the more it costs ③ Grinding match the real bottleneck A 5-head line runs 200–350 m² a shift, about a third of the press Target output (finished) Press Grinding line Crew 100–200 m²/shiftSingle-station enclosed 200–250 tf 3–5 head machine2–3 people 300–500 m²/shiftSingle station 320–500 tf or small rotary 5 heads + calibrator3–5 people 800–1500 m²/shiftRotary multi-station + vibrating vacuum Multi-head continuous line6–10 people Over 1500 m²/shiftTwo lines in parallel Two grinding lines10+ people Ranges are industry practice — check against the actual machine data and product size.
Keep 1.5–2× on the pressThe press normally outruns the grinder; the margin covers changeovers and peaks — 3× is waste
Spend on grinding firstMoney goes where the bottleneck is: extra heads raise output faster than extra tonnage
Staff the line, not the machineTwo or three people run a small line; at scale the extra hands go to handling and inspection
28 · The numbers

Where the money goes, per square metre

This is cost structure, not a quotation. Material, power and labour vary widely — put your own prices in.

Material 30–45% Labour 20% Depreciation 12% Power 8% Consumables 8% Other Packing · losses · overhead Three levers ① Material More powder saves money and flattens the look A recipe decision, not a buying one ② First-pass yield 85–92% on a new line, 95%+ once experienced Every five points goes straight to profit ③ Grinding allowance 20 mm finished needs 22–23 mm pressed The extra material goes up as slurry Work payback on real output, never on theoretical capacity. Real output = daily capacity × working days × uptime (50–70% on a new line) × yield. Run the conservative case and the payback figure holds up.
29 · Performance and standards

What tenders and exports actually ask for

For a tender or an export order the first question is which standard the report follows. This panel sets out the standards and the usual performance bands.

Export: EN 13748 EN 13748-1 terrazzo, internal use EN 13748-2 terrazzo, external use Covers size, appearance, strength, abrasion, slip, absorption, fire, CE marking The external part adds freeze-thaw, thermal shock, chemicals, wet slip Absorption: both criteria together Total every specimen ≤ 8% by mass Face every specimen ≤ 0.4 g/cm² Fire A1fl — cement-based products are classified without testing Under EN 13501-1 and EC Decision 96/603/EEC Usual performance bands Property Typical Compressive strength40–70 MPa Flexural strength5–9 MPa Water absorption3–8% Surface gloss45–90 GU Abrasion (groove length)≤ 30 mm Slip ratingR9–R11 These are industry levels, not the threshold in the standard Quote third-party tested values and state the batch Domestic sales reference JC/T 507. The ceramic standards (EN 14411 / ISO 13006) cover a different product family and cannot replace type testing for terrazzo. Tenders often also ask for radioactivity (GB 6566: IRa ≤ 1.0, Iγ ≤ 1.3), ramp slip (DIN 51130) and abrasion (ASTM C501).
Ask where it is soldJC/T 507 at home, EN 13748 into the EU. The wrong standard makes a paid report useless
Absorption is pass or fail8% and 0.4 g/cm² both apply; one alone fails type testing
The fire rating comes freeA1fl needs no test, so it can go straight into the technical bid
Test reports and certificates company honour and certificates about Golden Mountain Machinery
30 · Packing and shipping

Tiles are heavy freight — you pay by the tonne

Sixty kilos a square metre, and a container is full at twenty-something tonnes. Packing and freight decide how far you can sell.

The weight chain 21.6 kg one 600×600×25 at 2400 kg/m³ 17 kg at 20 mm thick 60 kg one square metre 2.8 tiles per m² at 25 mm thick ≈ 25 t one 20GP container ≈ 420 m² per container 40HQ: same payload Quote by weight — tonnes first, cubic metres second. Freight goes by tonne, so distance eats margin — produce nearby. Export is declared gross, so pallets, packing and corners all count. Loose or full container shifts landed cost — fix the delivery term first. The four-piece export pack Corner protectors Guard corners and edges; a chipped corner is the first reject Carton / shrink film One or a few per pack, to stop rub and shift Wooden pallet Forklift handling, stack under 1.1 m Strapping Two vertical straps, stood on edge, board at the corners Wood packaging needs the IPPC mark — without it the port can hold the container.
Stand it on edgeFlat-stacked tiles take pressure marks; stood on edge with paper between, the face survives
Allow 1–3% breakageThe industry band — state it in the quote and contract; better packing pushes it down
Most damage is in handlingForks, hoists and re-handling hurt more than road vibration; pallets and corners are what protect
Export documents: Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, wood-packaging fumigation certificate (or exemption), CE marking and Declaration of Performance. Project orders add a third-party test report — agree before signing who supplies each.
31 · Model reference

JS series at a glance

Figures from published manufacturer data. Match on largest size, target output and surface.

Model Pressing force Max product Speed Power / weight Role JS-600 360 T600×600 3–6 tiles/min11 kW / 7 t The standard workhorse, 400–500 m² a day JS-600s 400 T600×600 3–6 tiles/min11 kW / 10 t +40 t, heavier frame, more tolerant of feed JS-1000 1000 T1500×1000 2–3 tiles/min33 kW / 28 t Bottom vibration, top vacuum, for slabs MJS-5060 (polisher) 500×500 / 600×600 350–500 m²/shift5 heads / 5.5 t 6-station carousel, one operator Roof tile machine 1000 T1230×640×15 3–4 tiles/min11 kW / 15 t Sprayed colour, pitched roofs Kerb machine Static Made to drawing Single 40–90 s Twin 40–60 s — Twin: 1500 m a day Note: the MJS-5060 is a 5-head carousel; head motors total 37.5 kW, plus a 7.5 kW hydraulic power pack.
Model pages and full specification all terrazzo tile machines double-layer terrazzo tile machine rotary terrazzo tile machine
32 · If you read one panel

If you read only one panel, read this

Product · Single layer, through-body: chips at any depth · Max chip size ≈ 1/3–1/2 of tile thickness · Absorption EN 13748-1: total ≤8%, face ≤0.4 g/cm² · Cement-based terrazzo meets A1fl by nature Grinding sets the look Equipment · Face pressure = force ÷ area · Double the side, quarter the pressure · 12–20 MPa in normal work · The bottleneck is usually the grinder Size tonnage on the largest format, keep margin Process · One fill; the press dewaters internally · Dry-blend pigment with cement first · Vibrate until it creams over and stops sinking · Release slowly; open only at zero pressure The slow steps decide quality Selection and support · Four questions: type, size, output, surface · Finishing sets the look, the press the shape · Auxiliaries run 40–60% of the press · 125 kVA transformer; pallets by curing stock Finishing first, press second
Order of selectionFinishing line first, press second — tonnage follows once finishing is fixed
LengthThese 33 panels print to 17 A4 pages and bind into a booklet
Printing9 sheets A4, double-sided, bound
Reading order01–08 product, 09–25 machines and process, 26–33 selection and investment
Look-upsModels on 31, cost structure on 28
33 · Before you ask for a quote

Six answers and the proposal lands first time

A line is not chosen from a model number. Settle these six and price, lead time and layout come back together.

1 Product and size Which tile, what size, what thickness Skirting, steps and corners as well? 2 Daily output In m² per shift, or a target annual volume So cycle, stations and line count can be worked back 3 Surface level Mirror, matt or anti-slip; polish or not Decides how far the finishing set goes 4 Building and power Shed dimensions, floor level, existing transformer Decides the layout and whether supply must grow 5 Raw material source Is white cement, coloured chip or pigment available locally Decides whether the recipe transfers and what freight adds 6 Where it is sold Domestic or export; export needs EN 13748 Tenders also want test items, CE and DoP
Answer these six and the proposal, price and lead time come back right first time. Miss one and the work comes back — output and floor space above all, because they set the layout of the whole line, not the choice of a single machine.
Ready for a quotation send your six answers to our engineers browse the terrazzo tile machine range