Milking Machine

A milking machine is a device used to extract milk from the udders of dairy animals (primarily cows, but also goats, sheep, and buffalo) mechanically. It simulates the sucking action of a calf or lamb, providing a more efficient and hygienic alternative to hand milking, especially in commercial dairy operations.

Types of milking machine

Bucket Milking Machines: Portable units with a single milking cluster that milk into a bucket directly. Suitable for small herds.

Pipeline Milking Systems: Milk is transferred through a pipeline from the cow to a central milk tank, often in a milking parlor.

Tandem Milking Parlors: Cows stand in individual stalls in a line.

Herringbone Milking Parlors: Cows stand at an angle to the milker, allowing more cows in a smaller space.

Parallel Milking Parlors: Cows stand perpendicular to the milker, offering quick entry and exit.

Rotary Milking Parlors: A large circular platform where cows enter, are milked as the platform rotates, and exit automatically. High throughput.

Robotic Milking Systems (Automatic Milking Systems - AMS): Fully automated systems where cows voluntarily enter a milking stall, are identified, and milked by a robot.

Applications in Various Industries

Applications: Dairy farms (small to large scale), milk processing industries (supply chain).

Technology:

Pulsation System: Creates a vacuum and release cycle (pulsation) that mimics the natural suckling action, massaging the teat to prevent congestion and allow blood flow. This is crucial for udder health.

Vacuum Pump: Generates the vacuum necessary for milk extraction and teat cup attachment.

Teat Cups & Liners (Inflations): The part that attaches to the cow's teats. Liners are typically made of rubber or silicone and provide the massage action.

Milk Claw: Collects milk from the four teat cups before it enters the milk line.

Automatic Cluster Removers (ACRs): Detect when milking is complete and automatically detach the cluster, preventing over-milking and protecting udder health.

Milk Meters: Measure individual cow milk yield.

Milk Quality Sensors: Can detect abnormalities in milk (e.g., conductivity for mastitis, fat/protein content).

Farm Management Software: Integrates data from milking machines for herd health management, breeding, feeding, and production optimization.

Robotics & Vision Systems: In AMS, robots use cameras and laser sensors to locate teats and attach the cluster automatically.

Cleaning-in-Place (CIP) Systems: Automated washing and sanitizing of the milking equipment after each milking session.

Material Selection Considerations

Parts in Contact with Milk:

• Stainless Steel (304 or 316L): Crucial for milk lines, milk claws, receiving jars, and storage tanks due to its excellent hygiene properties, corrosion resistance, ease of cleaning, and inertness to milk.
• Food-Grade Rubber/Silicone: For teat cup liners (inflations), milk hoses, gaskets, and seals. These materials must be flexible, durable, resistant to milk fats and cleaning chemicals, and non-toxic. Silicone often preferred for longer life and better hygiene.

Parts Not in Contact with Milk:

• Vacuum Pump Components: Cast iron, steel, or aluminum.
• Pulsators: Plastic or metal (often aluminum).
• Frame/Chassis: Steel (often galvanized or painted) for structural support.
• Hoses (vacuum, air): PVC or rubber.
• General Considerations: Durability, resistance to cleaning chemicals (chlorine, acids, alkalis), ease of cleaning and sanitization, non-toxicity, and compliance with food safety regulations.