Analysis and evaluation of the teat-end vacuum condition in different automatic milking systems

摘要

The number of automatic milking systems (AMSs) installed worldwide shows anincreasing trend. In comparison to the preliminary models, new versions employ moresophisticated sensor technology than ever before. The originally developed AMSs werecharacterised by larger vacuum fluctuations and vacuum reductions than conventionalmilking systems. The objective of this study was to find out whether this situationstill holds or if an improvement has occurred. The vacuum behaviour at the teat endof an artificial teat during simulated milking was measured in a study that involveddifferent AMS types (AMS A, B and C). Each system was tested over a range of flowrates (0.8 to 8.0 L/min). The wet-test method was used and teat-end vacuum behaviourwas recorded. At a flow rate of 4.8 L/min, the lowest vacuum fluctuation (6.4 kPa inb-phase) was recorded for AMS A, while the lowest vacuum reduction (3.5 kPa in theb-phase) was obtained for AMS B. AMS C yielded higher values for vacuum reductionand vacuum fluctuation. Consequently, it was concluded that AMS A and B, in terms ofconstruction and operational setting (vacuum level), are more appropriate than AMSC. Nevertheless, high values for vacuum reduction or fluctuation have a negative effecton the teat tissue. Hence, one of the future challenges in milk science is to develop acontrol system that is able to allow fine adjustments to the vacuum curve at the teatend.