The diagram illustrates the sequential stages involved in the manufacturing of bricks for the construction industry.
Overall, the production of bricks is a multi-step linear process that starts with the excavation of raw clay and culminates in the transport of finished products to the building sector. This is accomplished by preparing the raw material, shaping the bricks, heat-treating them in kilns, and finally packaging them for distribution.
The process begins when raw clay is dug from the ground by a large excavator. This material is subsequently transferred onto a metal grid, where a roller grinds it to filter out oversized particles. Following this, water and sand are mixed into the refined clay to produce a malleable paste. This mixture is then shaped into uniform bricks using one of two methods: it is either extruded through a machine and sliced into blocks by a wire cutter, or pressed directly into metal moulds.
Once formed, the wet bricks are placed into a drying oven for 24 to 48 hours to remove excess moisture. Following this drying phase, they undergo thermal treatment in a kiln, where they are first subjected to moderate heat ranging from 200°C to 980°C, and then to extreme temperatures between 980°C and 1300°C. The heated bricks are subsequently transferred to a cooling chamber, where they remain for 48 to 72 hours. In the final phase, the cooled bricks are stacked onto wooden pallets, packaged securely, and loaded onto trucks for delivery to the construction industry.